s WHO TO CALE: A Auto Editor & Andrew McCredie 985-2131 (147) TO AL Redesigned Voyager an easy drive CHRYSLER INTRODUCED redesigned 1996 minivans in the summer of 1995, marking the first major redesign of the popular people-haulers. The new mini-vans are more stylish, more aerody- namic, roomier, quieter, and offer improved ride and handling. New for 1996 are an optional left-side slid- ing rear door and removable rear. bench seats with retractable wheels. Both long and short wheelbase models offer a new basé engine: a 150 horsepower 2.4-litre four-cylinder powerplant which replaces the 100 horsepower 2.5- litre four-cylinder unit. Optional V6 powerplants are basically the samme as before — a 3.0-litre, a 3.3-litre and a 3.8-litre. Today's test-drive is a short wheelbase Plymouth Voyager SE with an optional 3.3-litre V6 engine and four speed automatic transmission. ' Though the 1996 Voyager doesn’t look much big- ger than the previous generation. mini-van, it has about 10% more interior room and 40% more cargo volume behind the rear seats. The Voyager is 21 cm (8 in.) longer, 9 cm (3.5 in) wider, and 6.5 cm (2.6 in.) higher than the previous Voyager. In addition, the wheelbase has grown by 3 cm (1 in.). The Voyager's maximum cargo capacity (with ali seats removed) is now a roomy 4, “140 litres, 827 litres @ cu. ft.) more than the previous Voyager, G and 140 litres (4.9 cu. ft.) more FOG than the previous long wheelbase Grand Voyager. «.. The Voyager is quite versatile when it comes to ‘storing cargo. Both rear bench seatbacks can be ‘folded flat, and one or both of the rear bench seats can be rolled out ‘of the van with the help of small, fold-down wheels. However, it : takes two people to lift the bench. : Gut of the van. "The rear cargo hatch now has a lift handle which makes it easier _ - -to pull up the hatch, and allows . you to close it without automati- cally locking it. .. Though there’s plenty of headroom and hiproom - in the new Voyager, rear-seat legroom in the seven ‘ passengér model is just adequate for adult-sized pas- , sengers. Both rear bench seats now have new reclin- ing seatbacks,’ but the standard two-person centre bench seat has no fore/aft travel, while the three-per- son rear bench seat has limited fore/aft movement. Both rear bench seats now offer outside, adjustable head 1 restraints, something the old mini-van didn’t offer. IT'S RRSP TIME! So what kind of a car ad is this? Wilson The optional driver’s-side sliding rear door offers handy access to the centre bench or bucket seat, but it doesn’t offer access to the third rear seat, due to safe- ty reasons. it's considered safer to enter and exit through the passenger's side, away from traffic. To further ensure child safety, the driver's-side rear door has a child-lock to prevent children frory. exiting into the traffic lane. In addition, the door can't be opened if the left-side fuel filler door is opened, a safety feature designed to prevent the door striking a fuel pump. Despite its increase in size, the new Voyager is not a big vehicle — in fact it is 9f mm (3.6 in.) shorter than a Mercury Villager/Nissan Quest minivan, one of its primary competitors. Therein lies the biggest advan- tage of the short wheelbase Voyager when compared to the long wheelbase Grand Voyager. ive It’s more maneuverable in the tighter confines of the city. The Voyager is easier to parallel park, change lanes, make sharp corners, and fit into underground parking spaces. For 1996, Chrysler reduced the turning circle by one metre (3.3 ft.). Outward visibility is excellent, and forward visibili- ty has been improved by lowering the cowl 10 cm (4.1 in.). This offers 30% more window glass than before. The new Voyager is a practical family hauler that’s | , easy to live with. The MSRP for the base five-passen- ger, four-cylinder, Voyager is $18,995. SE models are $22,560, LE $27,190, and ES $29,460. YES! THIS IS INDEED A GREAT, GREAT CAR AD! Consider these thoughts Fal ELA Ss SUED OSL ESTED ES ee EN AOR aE OR Dh eae EER LEI TGS TSS Co ec NEWS photo Pau! MoGrsth THE 1996 Plymouth Voyager offers a standard 150 horsepower 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with a three-speed automatic tranemission. Optional 3.0-litre V6, 3.2-litre YG and 3.¢-llira VS engines are also available. New this year Is an aptional driver's side silding rear door. Baso price is $18,695. Test drive the new Plymouth Voysger at Regency Plymouth Chrysler, located at 1177 Marine Or., Horth Vancouver. {MERCEDES BENZ OWNER | If you wish to sell your vehicle directly to Mercedes’ Benz or for a current evaluation of your vehicle, please | contact the Sales Manager at your convenience. Lease your car or truck and take what you would have fora BUY ment ‘or trade f equity) and B YOURSELF AN RRS. Pi Is this better, Here's just one example — A 1996 7-passenger LUMENA VAN with J You will defer both GST and Provincial tax on your new vehicle s/because these taxes are only on your lease payment... not what you Duy the car or truck for! air conditioning - manufacturer's suggested etail $25,800 — Zero down and 3 year smart “F lease is just 133802 per month GAC - Total paid $12,096.72 — taxes are extra but only on PALS 087-5231 {out of town cail collect) ea Hours: i 4 Mon.-Thurs. Sa