Mitsubishi MirageWith a growing list of standard features, the Mitsubishi Mirage offers a lot of comfort and convenience for the money. Tilt steering, remote mirrors, intermittent wipers, larger brakes, and a host of other additions now come standard on the base model DE coupe and sedan. An optional LS sport package gives the coupe a racier look with a rear spoiler, chrome tailpipe extension, side air dams, 14-inch alloy wheels, and sunroof; the upgraded wheels and sunroof are now standard on the LS sedan, too. The DE coupe continues to be powered by a 1.5-liter/92-horsepower SOHC inline-four. The DE sedan and both the LS coupe and sedan share a 1.8-liter/113-horsepower engine.
| Body type: | Coupe, sedan |
| Drivetrain: | Front engine, front drive |
| Airbag: | Driver/passenger |
| Base curb weight, lb: | 2125 |
| Base engine: | 1.5-liter I-4, SOHC, 92 hp |
| Opt. engine: | 1.8-liter I-4, SOHC, |
| 113/111 hp (49 state/Calif.) |
| Brakes, f/r: | Disc/drum, ABS opt. |
| Price range: | $12,000-$16,000 |
| Fuel economy, city/hwy, mpg: | 33/40 |
Nissan AltimaAlthough the Altima underwent a total redesign in '98, Nissan has given its volume-selling compact sedan a significant facelift for 2000. In the small-sedan segment, if you snooze, you lose, and Nissan is not about to get caught napping. Revised front and rear fascias generate the longer/wider effect we all love, and while they were tinkering, Nissan engineers took the opportunity to incorporate numerous noise filters in the body. The standard 2.4-liter/155-horsepower inline-four has picked up 5 horses over last year's, and the tuneup interval has been increased to 100,000 miles. Handling was enhanced with a new front strut tower brace and suspension retuning.
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Drivetrain: | Front engine, front drive |
| Airbag: | Driver/passenger/side opt. |
| Base curb weight, lb: | 2859 |
| Base engine: | 2.4-liter I-4, DOHC, 155 hp |
| Opt. engine: | None |
| Brakes, f/r: | Disc/drum, ABS opt. |
| Price range: | $15,500-$20,500 |
| Fuel economy, city/hwy., mpg: | 24/31 |
Nissan Altra EvNissan's contribution to the green car market comes in the form of the Altra EV, a Lithium-ion battery-powered electric vehicle. Using the same inductive charging system as the GM EV1, the Altra takes five hours to fully charge. Or you can take more time and plug in the Altra's portable charging unit anywhere. The Altra's electric motor produces 83 horsepower, has a governed top speed of 75 mph, and can squeeze out a maximum range of 120 miles between charges. With plenty of swell features like air conditioning, power windows and locks, cruise control, AM/FM/CD stereo, ABS, and all the amenities you'd expect to find in a gas-powered car, the Altra makes the EV lifestyle pretty painless.
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