drive

THE new buzzword at
General Motors is
“brandscaping,” a mar-
keting term that refers
to establishing a sepa-
rate brand image for

c General Motors
car division.

For some years, Pontiac's
image has been “perfor-
mance” and “excitement.”
Pontiac’s television commer-
cials portray their cars as
more sporty than other GM
cars — their styling is gener-
ally more aggressive and
sporty, and they have features
like ribbed bodyside
cladding, spoilers, bright
paint finishes and special
wheels and tires.

But it’s no secret that
Pontiac models share plat-
forms, suspensions, power:
trains and body dimensions
with other General Motors
brands.

For example, the 1996
Pontiac Grand Prix, which
was first introduced in 1988,
was based on the same plat-
form as the Chevrolet
Lumina, Buick Regal, and
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme,
and used the sane power-
trains, suspension, and body
dimensions.

Even the performance-
oriented Grand Prix GTP
model with its optional 3.4-
litre V6 was equalled by the
Chevrolet Lumina Z34 and
Monte Carlo.
(Brandscapers
take note:
Chevrolet’s image
is supposed to be
one of affordable,
family cars.)

So when the
redesigned Grand
Prix was intro-
duced this past
summer, many
people were won-
dering if it would
really be different
from other
General Motors
mid-size sedans —-
and if it would
live up to its performance
image.

Well, with the exception
of powertrains, the new
Grand Prix is different from
other mid-size General
Motors cars — at least for
now. It has totally new exte-
rior and interior styling,

mash, Crash, Shatter, Snap, ¢

Friday. December 6, 1996 ~ North Shore News ~ 53

ma

Photo submnitied

THE 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix has been totally redesigned. its sportier, athietic look includes a three-inch longer wheelbase that provides
a better ride and more interior room. Base SE modeis retain the standard 3.1-litre V6 engine, but GT and GTP models have new 3.6-litre
V6 and supercharged 3.8-litre V6 engines. Test drive the new Grand Prix at Regency Pontiac,1160 Marine Drive, North Van (985-6333).

looks low, wide and athletic
-- note its low, curvy hood,
sharply reked windscreen,
curving rear side window,
bulging fender flares, shorter
front and rear overnangs, and

revised front and rear suspen-
sions, better brakes, and a
new platform with a wheel-
base that is 77 mm (3 in.)
longer. Overall, the 1997
Grand Prix is 40 mm (1.6

GTP echnical data:

Torge 280 ft-lbs: @'3600 r,

Curt: weight: 1,530 kg (3, oP *
Wheelbase: 2.807 mm (110.5 in.) ~
Leugth: 4,991 mm (196.5 in:):

p: Width: 1,846'mm (72.7 in.):

“Height::1,390 mm (54.7.in.) °°
‘Trunk capacity: 453 litres (16.0 cu. ‘ft:)

kon (22 m.p.g.); Hwy — 8.2 1/100 km
' (34 mp.g.) ;
: Saraney three yeas /60,000 bm &

. ive’ . Fuel consamption: City — 13.2 1/100.
gnc. 3.8- litre suparcharged ouv a

“V6, 12 valves 3
Horepower 240 @ 5.200 f, pam.

instruments. Base models
have a three-person front
bench seat and a column
shifter, while uplevel Grand
Prix’s have cwo bucket seats
and a console shifter.

A couple of inter-
esting options
include a2 head-up
dispiay for the dig-
ital speedometer
and turn signals,
and a trip comput-
er that includes a
boust gauge
(supercharged
model), and low
tire pressure indi-
cator. Curiously,
there is an option-
al seat heater for
the driver’s side,
but none for the

and even less rear headroom.
Sul, it’s not cramped or
uncomfortable back there.
As before, base SE models
have a 160 horsepower 3.1-
litre OHV V6 engine, but
GT models get a new 195
horsepower 3.8-litre V6
engine (replacing the 215
horsepower 3.4-litre DOHC
V6), and GTP models offer a
new supercharged 240 horse-
power 3.8-litre V6 engine.
None of these engines are
unique to Pontiac, but they
are tried-and-true pushrod

V6 engines with plenty of
torque for low-speed respon-
siveness, smooth, quiet oper-
ation, and proven reliability.
As before, all Grand Prix’s
come with a standard four-
speed automatic transmis-
sion. Those on GT and GTP
models have driver-sclectable
“Performance” and
“Normal” shifting modes.
The Grand Prix’s ride and
handling have been greatly
improved. The longer whed,..

See Grand Prix page 55

in.) longer, 21 mm (0.8 in.)
wider, and about the same
height.

Its proportions are much
more attractive than the pre-
vious model.

While the old Grand Prix
looked rather narrow and
tall, the new Grand Prix

wheels which reach out to
the fender walls.

Both the sedan and the
coupe look equally good.
Inside, a redesigned intezior
offers a driver-oricated dash
and console, larger knobs
and controls, and Pondac’s
traditional orange-red backlit

Looking for the sounds of silence?

passenger.

Interior volume
has increased by 16%, and
this is most noticeable in the
front seats where there is
about 5 cm (2 in.) more
shoulder and hip room.

However, despite 2 77

mm (3 in.) increase in the
wheelbase, there is about the
same amount of rear legroom

Crunch...

1. A visual check of the cooling system.
for indications of leaks or excessive
cit content.

. Preseure check the cooling system
for internal and extemal! leaks with

fiter cap and neck adapter and tester

. Check crankcase and autornatic
transmission oil for water content.

. Test coolant thermostat with radiator
thermometer .

. Chack temperatura gauge for
accuracy

. Drain system and flush til clean.

. Clean foreign matter from radiator fins

|. Test radiator prassure cap with
cap tester

. Check fan blades and pulleys for
alignment and damage

10.intema! und extemal inspection of alt

hoses for cracks and deterioration

possible) for seepage -.. :

12.Aefill system with correct
cociant and check for air’
locks.

19,.Check condition and tn.

sion of drive belts with
tension gauge °

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