46 - Friday. November 28, 1997 — North Shore News AFTER suffering a lack- lustre image in the mar- ketplace for many years, Oldsmobile is undergo- ing a major change in their vehicles and their image. They make no secret of the fact chat they want to attract import car buyers, quite a change for a 100-vear-old American car company that has produced such biz, American baxury cars as the Velta SS and the YS Regency, The first of the ‘new’ Oldsmobiles was the Aurora, a front-wheel-drive luxury sedan introduced in 1995. Last August, Oldsmobile intro- duced the mid-sized Intrigue sedan, a car with the “seyfing, ride and handling, perfor- mance and upscale features that appeal to chose buyers who traditionally would con- der ey using an import vehi- ” states Oldsmobile’s press styling cer- has a sporty, European flair. Many styling features are borrowed from the Aurora such as a low nose; wide, nar- row headlamps; prominent frent and rear fender bulges; and a sweeping profile. The tail has a prominent trunk lip and oval-shaped tail lights. Overall, the Intrigue is a ve attractive, and well-propor- tioned ca: The interior too, has a con- temporary Euro/Japan gn with soft, rounded sur- big round analogue gauges including a tachometer, a console shift lever for the standard automatic transmis- sion, and headlight and wiper controls on the stalks behind the i itent, particular: ly over the low hood, and there’s adequate front and rear he: adroony and fegroom for average-sized 3 adults. The Intrigue’s fi ry plattoray, t basic suspen sion and powertrain are Virtu- ally identical to GMs other recemily-redesigacd, mid-size front-wheel-drive sedans, the Bnick Real and Pontiac wit-wheel Lifetine warranty an Pads X Shoes FRONT or REAR. 96511 Most OWE eet re eet Photo submitted THE 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue is a new, mid-sized, front-wheei-drive four-door sedan with a rcomy interior, large trunk, and standard 195 horsepower 3.8-litre V6 engine and automatic transmission. Prices start at $27,998. Test drive the new Intrigue at Dick irwin Chevrolet Oldsmobile, 845 Marine Dr., North Vancouver (987-5231). overhead valve V6 engine. Though it’s been around for more than a decade, this engine ins one of” smoothest, quictest, and most responsive on the market. In addition, che standard four-speed automatic transi sien s most impercepti- i 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue technical data Base price: $27 998 Price as tested $29,968 Type: four-door, five pas senger mid-sized sedan NED fransve Grand Prix, But the Intrigue firmer shocks, quicker and tour wheel dise . The Intrigue offers les roll, improved cornering capability, and more respon- he only engine off GM's tried-and-true Transmission: four-speed automatic Curb weight: w | (3,465 tb.) * | Wheelbase: 277000 mm | 6109.0 in) Length: 4976 mm nt Width: Warrants veurs “00,000 kins (GL): tront (195.9 Engine: 3.8-lit Horsepower: npn. Torque: 225 ¥ 4000 rpun. J nm (73.6 int three \ SERVIC SEARTERS er RAE SRA SA attest mepaes Ete BEL MCA! Leta ts 985-7455 V6 Pemberton, N. ‘an agen buvers, bur a lot wal depend on whether buyer see the Intrigue as being sig- dificantly diferent from other OM mid-sized cars. In my orion, Oldsmobile should v Intigue’s American ines such as its quiet, torquey engine, roomy interi- or, big trunk, better value for mones, and lower cost of parts . Oldsmobile will replace tre engine later in the year with a new twin overhead ni 3.4-litre V6 T doubt it will offer the same low-end torque and guictness that s the tradition: : V6 so sati Intrigues, whi $27,998, come w h. a stan- dard automat i air conditioning, AM/FM radio with auto-reverse cas- sete, anti-lock brakes, 1Q-inch tires, alloy wheels, power door locks, cruise control, tlt steer: £29,968, Intrigu models add dual zone dime contra), upgraded cloth uphal- story, power drivers seat, fog lamps. aid power mirrors, Oldsmobile would like co attract Fowonn Honda and trp LIFETIME WARRA vl on brake shoes & pads “Our 39th Year" ALSO COMPLETE MECHANICAL REPAIRS Guaranteed 1 year www.specialty volt (5 biks south of Marine) and service. Like other recent- ly-redesigned American ca such as the 1998 Chrysler intrepid and Chev rolet Malibu, the 2 anew kind of American car that combines the vehicle dynamics of European and Japan with the value for money and comfort features that North Americans want. Ineluding ® Supra * feather * Traction Cowral ° Ndloniatic Transnussion * Sport Alla, Wheels hos i. AT SPECIALTY VOLVO 1234 Marine Drive, North Vancouvei 980-2464 rsubaru.com