More 1970 Models Out

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32118, 14 October 1969, Page 20

More 1970 Models Out

New earg announced overseas this week Include restyled MGs and AustinHealey Sprite, and a Mark II version of the Triumph 2000. The original Triumph 2000 was announced in 1963, and since then more than 122,000 of these cars have been sold in more than 110 different countries. In 1965 changes were made to the car’s interior, and last year the fuel-injected 2.5 P.I. version was announced. The car was originally styled by the Italian designer G. Micbelotti, and he has carried out the design for the Mk II cars.

The front and rear styling has been changed, the interior of the car has been completely redesigned to improve safety, comfort and ergonomics, and as a result of changes to the rear axle the Mk II 2000 s have a wider track than the previous cars. The performance has been improved by changes to the cylinder-head design. The new model has now been in production in Britain for several weeks, and should be in dealers’ showrooms soon. The changes to the MG and Austin-Healey models are all concerned with exterior and interior design. The MG Midget and the Austin-Healey Sprite, which are almost exactly the same except for the badges, retain the 65 bhn- “A” series engine used at present Exterior changes include twin rear bumpers, “Rostyle” wheels—although wire wheels are still available as an option—and a different grille.

Inside, reclining seats are now standard, and the dash has been redesigned to incorporate rocker switches and

generally conform with safety requirements in various export markets. Both the MGB and the MGB GT models retain the “B” series 95 b,h.p. engine, i which for the -last year has i been connected to ah >ll- > synchromesh four-speed geitri box. Styling changes include Rostyle wheels as standard, ; a changed rear bumper and ; a new front grille. ' THREE MODELS v Rootes Motors has an. r nounced three new models, ' all initially for the British i market only. They are the i Hillman GT—the third ”GT’’labelled car to be announced ! so far this year—the Sun- > beata Alpine, and a lowi priced version of the Hillman • Imp. I The Hillman GT is basically ' a performance version of the > Hunter, and Rootes says it • has been produced in re- . spouse to many requests for i a reasonably-priced performi ance touring car as a result of the success of the Hunter ’ in the marathon rally, i A twin-carburettor version l of the 1725 c.c. Rootes engine i is fitted—the same as in the Sunbeam Rapier--and it proI duces 94 b.b.p. at 5200 r.p.m. ! Top speed is between 96 I mp.h. and 100 m.p.h., and 0 to 60 m.p.h. time about 12 see.

.The GT has the Hunter's front discs and four-speed allsynchromesh gearbox, but revised suspension. It has special road wheels, a matt black grille and broad waistline stripes, and interibr features Include new rallystyle high-backed seats, a binnacle-mounted tachometer, and a special steering-wheel. The 1970 Alpine is actually the fastback Rapier fitted with an 80 b.h.p. single-

carburettor version of the 1725 c.c. engine, giving a top speed about 90 tAp.h. The “economy” Imp will be the ■■ cheapest British-built car on the British market at $ll4O, and it has all the basic Imp features but more basic trim. ,JENSENS Jensen has announced Mk II versions of the Interceptor and the four-wheel-drive FF. Both have basically the same ■ lines as the previous models, r but have improved front , suspension, power-steering, i improved engine cooling, i larger fuel tanks, wider ■ wheels, better seats, and I interior design and fittings to ■ meet American safety re- ■ quirements. 3/ # 1 Options now include eighttrack stereo tape systems and ' air-conditioning. The 6276 1 c.c. Chrysler V 8 engine is : unchanged. France’s > Regie Renault ' announced a new 1289 c.c. ■ four-cylinder engine for the Renault RlO last month, and 1 has now announced a new car, the Rl2, which will use 1 the same engine. The car 1 has frontwheel-drive and a 1 four-speed gearbox, and top - speed is said to be 87 m.p.h., with 0 to 60 m.p.h. accelerai tion in about 17 sec. * The car has four doors, and I is slightly longer than the Rl6. It will be slightly more i expensive than the RlO, but cheaper than the Rl6. British Leyland, meanwhile, has announced a multi-million-dollar agreement with Renault in which the British company will make, and supply body-pressings, underframes and components for the Renault 8 and 10 saloons. V 6 CAPRI Ford of Britain has announced the long-expected 3-litre V 6 versions of the new Capri, which is mainly distinguishable from outside by a power-bulge in the bonnet designed to give clearance to the carburettors. The engine Is the same as that'fitted to the Mk IV Zodiac. Altogether, more new and revised models are expected to be on display at the Earl’s Court motor show this year than at any show for the last 10 years. The show will start tomorrow, and will be open until October. 25—during this time it is likely to be visited by considerably more than 500,000 persons. New cars from Europe on display at the show will include the new rotaryengined Clll Mercedes sports coupe, and the four-seater

155 m.p.h. Swiss-built Monteverdi Grand Tourer. The Institute of British Carriage and Automobile Manufacturers has announced that its stands will feature ”... a fully roadworthy ' sporting car of the future, of radical concept.” No other details have been given. New products at the show will include a tyre spray said to triple traction on ice or . snow, an entirely new, design bf seat-belt, three netvcar air-conditioning systems, and a two-speed wiper and washer unit designed for use On cars’ rear windows.