European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - December 31, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Wednesday december 31, 1986 the stars and stripes Page 13 compact car Market entrants 2 new Chevrolet to debut Jan. 1 . Motors Chevrolet division will officially introduce its now compact Corsica and Crolla models on new year s Dav. With both cars to go on Sale nationwide in March 12. The Heretta is n specially two door sport Coupe designed to Appeal to Young people including first Lime buyers while the Corsica is a four door Noich Hack Sedan that according to Chevrolet i aimed at the very heart of the compact  these two front Micco Druc models which will have no counterparts in of therm divisions share Basic dimensions and Power trains. Both share a Low nose raked wind shield flush Glass and composite head lamps As Well As a drag co efficient of 0.329. One of the lowest figures for any compact Sie . Production Auto Mobile. Both Luerelia and Corsica models have four Cylinder two liter 121 c1d engines As Standard the engines mounted transversely. The Standard engine which produces 90 horsepower Al 5,600 rpm. Is coupled to a five Speed manual transmission. A 2.8-Litcr 173 Crovat engine willbe offered As an option along with a three Speed automatic transmission. The v6 unit produces 125 he at 4.500  the Standard and the optional engine Are fuel injected. Also Standard on both cars arc Power brakes discs at front and Drums rear and Power steering the steering of rack and Pinion design. While the cars Are similar in technical aspects Chevrolet says the Burc to Coupe and Corsica Sedan share very few appearance items. Interiors Are different and there arc no common exterior body  both the Coupe and Sedan which seat five passengers have a  of103.4 inches More than 2 inches longer than Chevrolet s Cavalier and i1/ inches Shorter than the celebrity. The new Beretta and Corsica Chevrolet s Beretta Spurl Coupe foreground and Corsica Notchback Sedan will be riven their debuts at the  Angeles and Detroit Auto shows during january. The two front wheel drive cars which Seal five people share Basic dimensions and Power trains. A four Cylinder two liter engine of 90 horsepower is Standard. The first Public showings of the new Bertla and Corsica cars will take place at Auto shows in los Angeles and Detroit during Early january along with a pc launch phase that will include the place ment of one car per dealer for product exposure purposes. The official  which will be supported by a nationwide advertising 88 Model year. The expected sales ratio and marketing Campaign is set for of Corsica and Berc Las will he about March 12. Chevrolet says. The cars will be labelled As 1988 mod Els and Chevrolet says some 230,000sales Are expected through september of 1987. With another 400,000 sales through october of 1988, the end of the 50-50. Chevrolet says. The cars Are being manufactured in pm plants Al Linden. N.j., and Wil Mington Del. Randy Barnett Dakota fills Bill for personal or commercial use by Jan a. 2vkrina up Auto writer Detroit Chrysler corp. Is hop ing that its Dodge Dakota will prove at Tractive to a wide Market of buyers imported and Domestic mini truck customers As Well As those who previously have Only been interested in traditional Large pickup trucks. Light truck sales in general Are one of the hottest Market segments whether they in clude minivans or not. Import and Domestic manufacturers arc working Over time to come up with something to catch the buyer s Eye. During 1986, 4.6 million trucks were sold in America representing almost 30 percent of new car sales. The rub is that the new Breed of truck ers arc not truckers. They Are car buyer who want More than a cargo Box. They want the comforts and conveniences found in cars. That s Why Dodge is offering a heavy dose of options on ils Dakota available in two  and three trim Levels. The base version starts at $7,338 for the  with a 6.5-foot cargo Box. The Long  Model with an eight foot Box starts Al $7.552. Add another $501 per size to the base Price for these and $ 1,074 for the top line be Model. Dodge expects there will be Strong de Mand for the cashier versions and that almost three quarters of the buyers will Purchase them for personal use. Although the Chrysler corp. May Call top of the line Dakota  with 8-fool cargo Box. The Dakota the Industry s first midsize entry the Long  version 123.9inches is four inches longer than the jeep Comanche pickup. The Short  Dakota measures 111.9 inches placing it in the mid Range. Both Dakotas have a base payload of1.250 pounds and a maximum payload of 2.550 pounds. Trailer towing capacity is 5,500 pounds. The Model evaluated was a Long wheelbase Dakota be priced at $11,250including a $345 Deslin Alion fee. The Dakota has a steeper Windshield Angle and smoother lines than the larger Dodge d150 pickup. Full Frame construction continues on As in the larger models. The Dakota scats three across and the seat tills Forward for some extra inside so rage shared by the spare lire Jack. Engine choices Are the base 2.2-Liler four Cylinder rated at 93 horsepower or the 125 he 3.9-Litcr v-6 which is essentially Chrysler s 5.2-liter v-8 with two cylinders lopped off. An All new five Speed manual transmission is Standard. The optional three Speed automatic has an electronically controlled torque converter to provide smooth opera Tion while carrying heavy loads. Acceleration with the v-6 and automatic was found to be weak even when lightly loaded. Stomp on the Gas pedal to get into passing gear was needed  estimates for the truck which weighs Between 2.790 and 3,291 Pound depending on size is 22 mpg City 27 Highway for the 2.2-Liler with the manual and 18 mpg City 21 Highway for the v-6 with the  Dakota gives a surprisingly smooth and insulated ride for a pickup bearing i mind that the Long  be is the optimum combination. Adding to its Good handling is rack and Pinion steering and Load sensing proportional Brake valve firsts on any .-built  Access under the Hood on either engine is excellent for routine maintenance such As belts and filter changes. Major jobs Are also simplified. The Oil pan can be removed with the engine still in the truck and in Board diagnostics allow mechanics to quickly identify problems. The Lesl truck s fit and paint was of High Caliper the Best seen on a Light truck so far thanks to a new process that stretches the Sheet Metal during form into eliminate body Waves or flaws. The Dakota is certain to be a hit whether it is intended for commercial or personal use information and military Market prices on the Dakota truck series Are available from Chrysler miliary sales represent Alivs Al the cafes new car sales Points on the various bases in Europe