Its amazing how a cult film about a group of illegal street racers and their custom cars can affect the automotive industry.


Manufacturers are moving away from generic styles that dominated the 90s and are designing cars with a lot more pizzazz. Its almost like the Fast and the Furious, says Bill Duvall, sales manager at Knudtsen Chevrolet Co., in Post Falls. That popular 2001 movie captured the trend of young people modifying their cars with aftermarket parts, such as body kits and engine and exhaust upgrades, to change the profile and performance of their vehicles.


Manufacturers took notice and are making vehicles with power, panache, and sex appeal, dealers here say. Popular body kits, which include spoilers, wings, rounded hoods and custom fenders, and engine upgrades such as superchargers, now are options for new cars.


Street racers seem to be carrying over in the styling of the new cars, says Duvall. There is a huge market of young people. They want their cars to be sporty.


Some manufacturers are targeting the younger generation aggressively with new models. Three new sport coupes on the marketChevrolets Cobalt, Pontiacs G6, and the Scion tCare prime examples of the trend.


George Gee, owner of George Gee Pontiac/GMC, says, There is no question in my mind that GM is coming out with the sleekest and sexiest looking cars that they have ever had.


The Cobalt ($14,000 to $21,000) comes in six trim packages, including one with a 2.0-liter supercharged four-cylinder engine. The Cobalt is smaller than the Camaro, and hopefully wont be prohibitive in terms of insurance for young people, Duvall says.


The new Pontiac G6 gained notoriety after Oprah Winfrey recently gave away 276 G6s on her talk show. The G6 ($20,000 to $23,000) has two trim packages and a 3.5-liter V-6. It features a large sunroof and offers a spoiler package.


The Scion tC, which is manufactured by Toyota, comes in one trim package and starts at about $16,000. It looks like a street racer with its low-to-the-ground profile and has a 2.4-liter 160-horsepower engine.


In addition to new models, muscle cars like the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Corvette have been updated.


The redesigned 2005 Mustang seems like a blast from the past. It already has created a buzz with customers, says Steve Styren, a sales manager with Empire Ford.


It has a 1969 fastback look, says Styren. It has the interest of all the Mustang people, and it should hit the ground running.


The Mustang comes in eight trim lines and with two different engines, a 4.0-liter V-6 and a 300-horsepower V-8. The car, which starts at about $18,000, has more back-seat room than its predecessor. In addition, it has 125 different combinations of dash lights, ranging from white to yellow to purple.


Chevrolet redesigned the Corvette with a new body style, a new chassis, and a bigger engine. The Corvette ($50,000 to $60,000) has a 6-liter V-8 that produces 400 horsepower, and features sweeping lines that blend styles from the 70s and 80s. It is available in coupe and convertible models.


Its the most horsepower ever in the Corvette, says Duvall. The pop-up headlights that have been on the car for more than 20 years are gone. Theyre now built into the frame, and the aerodynamics have been improved.


Muscle cars arent the only things cruising into the marketplace.


Dodges new Magnum brings back memories of the giant family station wagons from the late 60s and early 70s, but adds a contemporary, bad boy personality.


It has a maximum storage capacity of 71 cubic feet (with the rear seats folded down) and has several engine options, including the 5.7-liter Hemi, which pushes the vehicles starting price up to about $30,000.


People want the Hemi in it, says Gary Blosser, a sales supervisor for Dishman Dodge. They are looking for a big engine.


Hybrid demand


Despite the trend toward sleek and sexy cars, many consumers view their vehicles as they do their washing machines. They want them to be reliable and inexpensive to operate.


Dealers here say demand for hybrid electric vehicles is soaring because of rising fuel costs. They add that manufacturers are releasing new models of hybrid vehicles and are increasing production of existing lines.


Hybrid electric vehicles, or HEVs as they are called, combine a conventional gas-powered engine with a battery-powered electric motor in one of two configurations.


Last year, there were only three hybrids in the U.S. market: the Toyota Prius, the Honda Insight, and the Honda Civic.


We sold every Prius we had, says Tom Price, sales manager for Downtown Toyota. The response has been huge. Toyota has ramped up product and will make 100,000 units of the 2005 model. Eventually, there will be more Toyota hybrids out there.


For the 2005 model year, there will be at least four new hybrid models on the market. Honda will release a hybrid Accord soon. Ford already has launched a hybrid version of the Escape, a mid-sized sport utility vehicle. Next spring, Lexus plans to offer a hybrid version of its RX400 SUV, and Nissan is scheduled to release a hybrid model of its Altima sedan.


Hondas hybrid Accord will be released next month and is expected to start at about $30,000, says Valley Honda sales manager Jerry Bick.


It will have a 255-horsepower V-6, says Bick. People are looking for great fuel economy, but they also want performance.


Interestingly, large sport utility vehicles appear to be going out of vogue, says Knudtsens Duvall.


The small- to mid-sized SUV market is incredibly competitive, he says. The big bulky SUVs arent as popular as they were a few years ago. People are concerned about fuel prices.


The Ford Escape hybrid starts at about $28,000. It has front-wheel and four-wheel drive options, and can seat five passengers. Ford claims it can go between 400 and 500 miles on a single tank of gas.


Luxury cars


Loaded is a good adjective to describe todays luxury cars. Its not enough these days just to have plush leather seats, wood paneling, and a fancy stereo system. Consumers want more, and manufacturers are piling on the extra goodies to woo them, dealers here say.


For example, Acura has completely redesigned its RL ($50,000 to $55,000) for 2005 and has loaded it with extras. It has a 10-speaker DVD stereo system, a cell phone, satellite radio, and keyless ignition. It also comes with a high-tech navigation system that uses global positioning satellite technology and XM NavTraffic service to provide traffic reports through the satellite radio, including information on which streets are clogged by accidents and average road speeds on alternate routes. In addition, the car comes equipped with an electronic Zagat restaurant guide for the discerning driver whos looking for a great restaurant.


The Audi has redesigned its A6 sedan ($41,000 to $52,000), which has two trim lines and two engine packages. It also will release the A3, a small sedan with a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, next spring.


The Chrysler 300, a new large luxury model thats different than the automakers 300M, has three engine packages, including a 5.8-liter Hemi. It starts at about $34,000. The 300 offers rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options.


Rear-wheel drive has returned in luxury and performance vehicles, as some manufacturers eschew the trend toward front-wheel drive.


Manufacturers are going back to rear-wheel drive because its a fantastic ride, says Jim Jensen, a salesman at Spokane Chrysler. These cars have traction control, which makes them very safe. The new technology includes under-steer and over-steer sensors that apply the brakes, and adjust the throttle to the wheels proportionally.


New vehicles and redesigns


Porsche has redesigned its longstanding 911 model for 2005. The 911 Carrera S has a 3.8-liter, 355-horsepower engine. The manufacturer says the high-end sports car ($79,000 to $115,000) has a top speed of 182 mph.


Hondas minivan, the Odyssey ($25,000 to $38,000), has been remodeled with a new body style and interior. The design changes add six inches of legroom for passengers. The more expensive version of the Odyssey has backup sensors and a rear view camera that safeguards against running over an object or person. It also has special tires that allow it to continue operating with a flat tire for up to 120 miles and not do any damage to the tire rims.


Buick is replacing its longstanding Regal and Century sedans with a model called the LaCrosse. It has three trim lines and two engine packages, and starts at about $23,000.


Fords Five Hundred, a large sedan that debuted this year, promises plenty of room for passengers and a trunk that can hold about seven golf bags.


Mercury is releasing several redesigned cars in 2005, including the Montego, It will have a 3.0-liter V6 and starts at about $25,000.


Subaru has updated its Legacy line ($18,000 to $33,000) with six trims and two engine packages.


Volvo has a new V50 wagon ($25,000 to $29,000) that has more rounded curves than the automakers traditional boxy wagon. It has two engine packages, including a 218-horsepower 5-cylinder turbocharged version.