north From page 32 V8 models, and found both engines to be extremely smooth, quiet and tree: revving. The S-Type with the V6 goes trom 0 te 60 nup.h. in 8 seconds while the V8 madel takes just 6.6 seconds. The V8 is a jewel of an engine, but the V6 feels a little weak in the lower rev ranges. Highway cruising in both models is quiet and comiort- able. At 100 km/h, the tachometer in the V6 model reads just 2,000 r.p.m. while in the V8 S-Type it reads 1,900 «pm. A superb five-speed aute- matic transmission with Jaguar’s J-Gare allows the driver to move the shift lever from Drive over to a semi- manual operation, if desired. This is a great transmis- sion, and features driver- selectable Normal and Sport modes for more aggressive shift points. On the highway, the ride is extremely comfortable. There’s just a little wind noise coming from the front windshield pillars. Handling is surprisingly competent: I experienced minimal body lean through fast corners, and nimble han- dling through twisty sec- tions. The S-Type’s front engine/rear-wheel-drive lay- out gives it an ideal 0/50 front-to-rear weight distribu- tion, and a fully independent suspension (front short/long arm, rear double wishbonc) provides grip and stability over uneven road surfaces. Outward visibility is gen- erally good with some obstruction by the rear head restraints. Standard mechani- cal features include variable- effort rack-and-pinion steer- ing, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, and traction con- trol. The S-Type is available with optional Dynamic Stability Control, an anti- skid system that helps the car retain control in slippery conditions. In addition, the S-Type can be equipped with a Sport Package which includes Pirelli P-Zero P235/50 ZR-17 tires, 7.5 inch 5-spoke alloy wheels, and a Computer Active Technology Suspension which automatically adjusts damper rates. As you'd expect ina Jaguar, the S-Type has a lux- uriously-finished interior, with plenty of lacquered wood trim on the dash, doors, centre console, stecr- ing wheel rim, and gearshift lever, and tasteful touches of chrome around the gear lever and on the door han- dies. The quality of the dash- board materials is top-notch. Interior features include power tilt and telescoping stecring wheel, front scat heaters (but only one tem- perature setting), dual zone temperature control, CD changer, dual front airbags and side airbags that protect both the chest and head, and height-adjustable head restraints for all passengers except the middle rear pas- senger. The S-Type has the world’s first voice-activated aude and cHmate control system. Without roading the owner's manual, F found the system fairly easy tone. The driver presses a button on the stecring wheel and gives an oral command such as, “Radio on,” “Radio vealume, down “CD, dise 4, track 3,7 “Temperature, 20 degrees.” Amale voice then repeats the command, and the instruction is carried our without the driver having to take their hands off the steering wheel ar their eves off the road. Great! Well, almost. Occasionally, my voice commands were ignored or misinterpreted, Sometimes, “There was a fleeting moment when I expected to hear that disconnected male voice say, ‘I’m sorry Dave, I can’t do that...’” the CD plaver would play the wrong track. On two - occasions, I “asked” the computer to set the climate control temperature at 7] degrees Fahrenheit (it will respond to Celsius or Fahrenheit), but instead, the temperature jumped to 8] degrees, and the fan pumped out blasts of hot air. My ver- bal requests to re-set the temperature failed, so I used the manual method. There was a fleeting moment when I expected to hear that disconnected male voice say, “I’m sorry Dave, I can’t do that...” or, “What are you doing, Dave?” But all in afl, 1 chink voice-acti- onty $28,380 nsrp 96 CHEV ASTRO VAN" B All wheel drive, loaded immaculate. 8 Super Value i 90 TOYOTA COROLLA SAS Coupe auto, am/fm cassette, 60/40 split seats low km's. Sporty..$9,955 S298... (Payments based on 48 mo. lease, plus taxes, O.A.C. Sienna - 0.P. $5,456, $18,495 shore news vated systems are a ereat boon for satery and conve- menee, if vou can afford the $1,000 option price. Phad nwo complaints with the 8 Pype's tmterior: Tt feels snug because the dash: board protrudes into the front passenger arca, and the glovebox and centre storage bin are rather small. The S-Type is available with a Reverse Park Sensor which alerts the driver to unseen objects behind the car when backing up — a good satety feature. A GPS- based! navigation systent is available in the United States but the system requires CD maps of cach major city, and these are not yet available in Canada, The manufacturer's sug- gested retail price for the S- Type V6 is $59,950 and for the V8 is $69,950. Adjusted for equipment, Faguar says the S-Type is cheaper than its Dwo main competitors, the BMW 5-Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Jaguar expects 50-60% of S- Types to be leased, and at the end of a two-year lease, the residual valuc is expected to be 64%, a comparatively high figure for Jaguar duce in part to their improved relia- ility record. In 1991, J.D. Power and Associates rated Jaguar #31 in Initial Quality and #25 in Customer Satisfaction. By 1998, Jaguar’s score had risen to #4 in Initial Quality and #4 in Customer Satisfaction. Jaguar has high hopes for the new S-Type. While the world-wide market for large luxury cars has remained sta- tic at about 75,000 cars per year for the past four years, the market for mid-size lux- ury cars has increased from 60,000 cars in 1995 to 155,000 cars in 1998 and is expected to reach 170,000 cars in 1999, 92 TOYOTA CAMRY VG LE V6, auto, a/c, sunroot, a rare find. $14,995 $46,930 use... SAAB - We build ctrs’cround the drive You'l sense - . the difference in wtxs you see seal ond bear. This just - boul sums up tha whole personally of he SAAB Down payment 4150" Lease 3 for 39 Total paid 416,444 only 96 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER SH-5 5 speed, low km, immaculate, loaded. Only. $28,985 “188. : $19,754; Camry - D.P. $5,300, TR 817.204: Corolla - D.P $3,000, TP. $12,024} 96 HONDA CIVIC CX Hibk, auto, 60/40 split seats, am/fm $12,998 cassette, low km's Friday, May 21, 1999 ~ North Shore News - 33 Tha SAAB 8 Wagon is 9 noturot exiension ot me model mnge. ___ We've token care to maintain the extifing finas of ifs secon stable _ _ fake, yet al ine same hme give the SAAB 8 Wogon a dynemic ~ Stance which sets lt oport. The SAAB 9° Wagon otfers the same wide: ss'ecion af engines, inferior inrn ord ofher equipment os the secon. - - Down payment ‘5517. : Lease for S475 Ics paid 22,617 : 99 CAMRY LE $25,530 msrp 97 PONTIAC GRAND AM 4 dr, auto, low, low km, vei maint. Sale Priced . well 95 BUICK CENTURY Local, loaded & tow km. Sale Priced.