1990 PREVIEW Manufacturers are making bigger engines, safer cars LAST YEAR, North Amer- ican car makers introduced an unusually large number of new models. This year, the emphasis is on improv- ing existing models. By GREG WILSON Contributing Writer The trend in the 1990 model year is towards bigger and more powerful engines, more attractive and functional interiors, and more safety features. Convertitles are making a comeback. Safety has become a major fac- tor in the purchase of new cars. Automakers are now installing air bags, rear three-point seat belts, standard daytime running lights, anti-lock brake systems, and other technical safety-related features. Not all new domestic cars are being introduced this fall. Some manufacturers, such as Ford, will be staggering the introduction of their new models throughout the 1990 model year. GENERAL MOTORS General Motors has the biggest share of the car market in Canada. Last year, it sold 36 per cent cf all cars and 24 per cent of all light trucks, including vans and mini- vans. The most important new model from GM in 1990 is the new Chevrolet Lumina APV mini van, and its Pontiac counterpart, the Trans Spert. With sleek styling, room for up to seven people, and a standard 3.1 litre V6 engine, the Lumina APV and the Trans Sport hope to cap- ture part of the fastest-growing vehicle market in Canada. GM’s mid-size cars. the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, the Buick Regal, Pontiac Grand Prix and Chevrolet Lumina, are now all available in two and four-door models. The Cutlass Supreme is also available as a new convertible with a targa-type roll bar. |WINTER Ti RES from ALL SEASON TI R ES from 31 - Fridzy, October 27, 1989 - North Shore News THE 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible...available in two and four-door models. The fuel-efficient Chevrolet Sprint and Pontiac Firefly will be available as very snappy-looking convertibles, priced at around $13,000. Other new convertibles from GM include the luxurious 2-seater Buick Reatta and the compact Chevrolet Beretta. The Chevrolet Cavalier, Corsica and Beretta, and the Pontiac Sun- bird and Tempest all get a larger standard engine, a 2.2 litre four cylinder engine, up from last year’s 2.0 litre engine. The Chevrolet Celebrity sedan is no longer available, nor is the Cavalier convertible. All Cadillacs, except the Brougham, now get a more power- ful 4.5 litre V8 engine. Horsepower is now rated at 180. The 2-seater Cadillac Allante convertible offers a new feature called Traction Con- trol designed to prevent wheel spin when accelerating on slippery sur- faces. All 1990 Cadillacs now offer standard driver’s side air bags and optional anti-lock brakes. The two-door Oldsmobile Toronado and Trofeo luxury coupes have been restyled and are now 12 inches longer. Both offer upgraded interiors and air bags. New sporty models from GM include the Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Quad 442 equipped with a 180 horsepower ‘Quad 4° four cyl- inder engine, and a Pontiac Grand Am SE and Chevrolet Beretta GTZ equipped with the same engine and sportier suspensions and interiors. The venerable Corvette offers a radical, redesigned interior, air bag, anti-lock brakes, and a horsepower increase to 245. The limited edition ZR1 Corvette offers a 380 horsepower, DOHC, 32 valve, all aluminum 5.7 litre V8, and sells for around $80,000, if you can get one. The biggest news in GM's light trucks is that the 4.3 litre V6 has been made standard equipment in the popular Chevrolet S-10 Blazer and GMC S§-15 Jimmy sport/utility vehicles. The previous standard engine was a 2.8 litre V6. A new 5 speed manual transmis- sion is also available in these vehi- cles. The GMC Safari and Chevrolet Astro mini-vans now offer full- time all-wheel-drive as an option. ieee eee AA eee eee AG Ag95 Complete Mechanical Repairs & Service Brakes - Shocks - Tune-ups - Exhaust 4 Wheel computerized alignment from 39° NORTH SHORE 823 WEST 3RD ST. (Directly behind Dick Irwin Chev-Olds) 984-355} Nationai Tire V/holiesale LS = MON.-FRI. 8AM - 6PM SAT. 8:30 - 4 PM Extended vans (12 inches longer) are also new for 1990. The full-size Chevrolet Sportvan also geis a 21 inch stretch, enabling it to seat up to 15 passengers. Watch out for a_ full-size Chevrolet 454 SS 4x2 pickup truck now outfitted with a 454 cubic inch (7.4 litre) V8 engine. FORD Ford has approximately 20 per cert of the car market in Canada, and sells more light trucks than anyone else — 30 per cent. Forty per cent of ali 1990 Fords are equipped with driver’s side air bags. The only completely redesigned 1990 model to be unveiled at this time is the Lincu!in Town Car. This GP THE 1990 Chevrotet Lumina APV ...has standard 3.1 litre V6 engine. big, rear-wheel-drive, 6 passenger car is Ford’s best-selling luxury car. It is slightly longer and much more aerodynamic than its square-looking predecessor. The Town Car offers a new in- terior, variable-assist power steer- ing, standard four-wheel anti-lock disc/drum brakes, a 5.0 litre V8 engine, air bags, and a huge 22 cubic feet trunk. Lincoin Continental remains much the same as last year, with a revised grille and tai} lights. Standard features include a 3.8 litre V6 engine, four-wheel anti- lock disc brakes and air bags. The sportier Lincoln Mark VII gets a new instrument panel and features a 225 horsepower 5.0 litre V8 engine. The Probe sporty compact now offers a 3.9 litre Y6 engine as well as a 2.2 litre four cylinder (tur- bocharged and unturbocharged) engine. A new automatic transmis- sion is available on the Probe GT. The Australian-made Capri 2+2 sports car, based on a Mazda 323 chassis and drivetrain, is scheduled to arrive at dealer showrooms some time in early 1990. The popular mid-size Taurus and Sable feature a new instrument panel and better interiors. The high-performance Taurus SHO now comes with standard four- wheel anti-lock disc brakes. Ford’s smallest car, the Festiva now comes with standard fuel in- jection and a five speed manual transmission instead of a four speed See Chrysler Page 32 CENTRAL AUTO PARTS “WHERE THE PROFESSIONALS SHOP” | PARTS FOR ALL MAKES OF CARS INCLUDING IMPORTS Open & Days Per Week Parts. ..cscscesnseaenasnens22904=957 7 ALL POWER ENGINES Machine Shop Services e DRUMS © ROTORS FLYWHEELS © VALVE GRINDING e ENGINE REBUILDING * PRESSURE TESTING © CYLINDER HEAD REPAIRS © EXCHANGE CYLINDER HEADS ¢ CRANKSHAFTS * CAMSHAFTS ¢ ENGINES Machine Shop ..... 985-7033 817 W. ist, North Van. naa 2 blocks south of Cap Mall as) .