European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 11, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday june 11, 1987 the stars and stripes Page 13 the 1987 Chevrolet Blazer left Pho o bean no resemblance to its 21st Century relative the experimental Blazer xt-1 right photo. Chevrolet offers a 4wd Blazer for the 2 j of Century when automotive publicity writers of the 21st Century describe four wheel drive vehicles they won t be Able to fall Back on the rugged Good looks phrase if the experimental Chevrolet Blazer xt-1 can be used As an example. Not that the Blazer xt-1 is ugly. And while it doubtlessly is rugged it just does t have rugged Good  in fact Well risk describing it As resembling a highly aerodynamic delivery Wagon with a greenhouse look. Good reason As the vehicle features 84 Square feet of Glass in its construction. General motors Chevrolet division recently released photos and details of the experimental Blazer xt-1, and As advertised it certainly rates As a vehicle for the 21st Century where appearance is concerned. There is nothing familiar about it when compared to today s Blazer. A four passenger experimental test bed for futuristic Light truck technology. The Chevy Blazer xt-1 features four wheel Independent suspension individual four wheel steering selectable full or part time operation of four wheel drive and future vision which is a three dimensional Driver and service information display. The experimental Blazer built for Chevrolet by the advanced vehicle engineering team of the pm truck & bus group is now making the rounds of the . Auto shows. From concept to on Road testing took less than one year Chevrolet says. Chevrolet chief Engineer Fred Schaafsma said the Blazer xt-1 May not show up in regular production vehicles for some time but Well be looking at All possible applications. This research vehicle has been a Broad based Effort involving More than a dozen pm divisions and other advanced technology sup  among mechanical features arc Long travel Independent suspension which Al lows each wheel to travel up to 10.5 inches to individually adjust to changes in the Road surface jostling passengers less and preventing loads from shifting. The Driver can also set the suspension characteristics and trim Heights differently depending on the terrain. The vehicle can drop up to one Inch for easier entry and can be set up to four inches higher for off Road runs. The Blazer it to has an Active steering system which electronically analyses steering commands from the Driver and senses variables such As wind gusts Road gradient driving Speed and other factors that influence handling. This Active steering system allows each wheel to turn independently thus reducing tire Wear and squeal because tires Are turned to the exact position required. At Low speeds the Driver can a never the Blazer More easily in tight turns As Well As in parking situations. Fun yes Praff Ca car to drive Chrysler Lebaron its rates High  Detroit up for 1987, Chrys Ler s Lebaron its has been Given some minor improvements making an already competent and Well handling sports Sedan better. The front wheel drive Lebaron its first appeared in 1985, and at that time the sporty four door Hatchback signified a new direction for Chrysler s sedans marking an improvement from the Dodge Aries and Plymouth reliant k car compacts first sold in 1980. This year the Lebaron its is found alongside three other Lebaron. One is a posh four door Sedan that is a a car clone and the others Are the Lebaron Coupe and Lebaron convertible poised to steal sales from Ford s successful thunderbird. The Lebaron its also known As the Lancer at Chrysler s Dodge division is available in two Levels the highline base Sedan starting at $10.152 and the Premium version at is 1,677. Although the base Model is fairly Well equipped the Premium has As Standar equipment air conditioning a Stifler sports suspension and a lurbochargcd2.2-liter, 4-Cylindcr engine generating 146 horsepower at 5,200 rpm. The base motor is a non Turbo 2.2-Liicr four with electronic fuel injection rate Dat 97 he. A 2.5-liter four rated at 100 he is also offered. Epa ratings average about 21 mpg Overall. Like other Chrysler the its has an improved optional cruise control system controlled electronically. An electric speedometer does away with the old Cable driven Type which is harder to in stall and service. A new stereo cassette is offered through a Deal with Infinity systems inc., a California speaker company. The the 4-door Hatchback Chrysler Lebaron its sports Sedan. Acoustically matched speakers add $100 to Chrysler s top line am pm stereo Cas Sette which is $505 extra in the its. It is a definite improvement Over other Chrysler stereos but still below the Delco Bose system offered in some pm cars. The its evaluated in this report was a Premium Model costing $15,967 As tested including a $414 destination charge. Major options included a $900 package consisting of the turbocharged engine and automatic transmission 15 Inch wheels cruise control tilt steering and undercoating. Power windows and locks $475 and a Power assisted Driver s seat $240 were also listed. The its is a fun yet practical car to drive. Its Road manners get High Marks thanks to the Sway bar and Gas pressurized front struts and rear shocks. The 2,600-Pound Sedan leans More towards the european Road feel meaning crisper handling. New entries such As the Honda Accord Pontiac grand am and the slightly larger Ford Taurus sedans make the its feel a bit dated because of its slightly less refined front drive feel. The its also exudes High engine noise at Speed especially with the automatic Gearbox. Almost everything about the its s Interior is a plus from the Handy twin cup holders which Telescope out of the dash to its comfortable scats. The rear seats fold Down independently to open up 42 cubic feet of cargo space. The its is still a Good Choice Al though Many new rivals Nave entered the Market since 1985. It is backed by Chrys Ler s seven year-70,000 mile warranty and seems a bargain when compared tothe More expensive German and Japa Nese sports sedans in its class. For Rule details on models special or friary prices etc., prospective buyers May Contact Chrysler military sties representatives at me cafes new car sales Points on the various bases m Europe regarding the Power train an electro Nic shift Point and modulation con trolled four Speed automatic transmission is coupled with an aluminium 4.3-liter v6 engine. The Transfer Case includes a self Sens ing self actuating four wheel drive operation that automatically shifts the Blazer xt-1 into four wheel drive when i senses that a wheel is beginning to slip. A computer maximizes performance by sensing slip and shifting torque Forward and backward to the axles by As much As 30 percent while the vehicle is running in four wheel drive. The Blazer xt-1 also has four wheel disc brakes with an anti lock system. The future vision display uses a Ca Thode Ray tube cart screen and features three dimensional displays that responding milliseconds to maintain constant Driver awareness of vehicle conditions. Service maintenance and repair information is also provided by the display. Randy Barnett Flag Day rally set sunday for 4wd vehicles Hanau Germany a Fla Day rally for four wheel drive vehicles of any make will be held sunday at the army vehicle obstacle course behind the Hanau american High school. The rally sponsored by the association of the United states army Ausa Hanau Abrams chapter and am jeep military sales of Frankfurt will take place from 9 . To 6 . Owners of any Type or make of 4wd vehicle May enter. Registration and entry fee for rally competitors is $10, with All proceeds to Benefit the Hanau Abrams chapter of the Ausa. The registration stand will be located at the Hanau american High school parking lot the vehicle obstacle course with Sand pits water holes bumps Hills and other types of terrain will Rove a Good test of both 4wd vehicles and their Drivers the Flag Day rally organizers say. Results will be based on the Best times set on the course which is about three Miles Long and trophies will be awarded for first Sec Ond and third places. All competitors will receive a jeep to shirt free. A recreational vehicle show Fea Turing am jeep military sales vehicles and Harley Davidson motorcycles will also be held in con Junction with the rally. Refreshments will be available throughout the Day