dsmobile 98

<1 eH Sees

New styling and smooth powertrain highlight luxury sedan

THE NEW, aerodynamic styling
of the Oldsmobile 98 follows a
trend started by General Motors’

other large cars, the Chevy
Caprice and the Buick Park
Avenue.

Whether or not you fike the
‘soap bar’ look, you may as well
get used to it. Governmeat fuel
economy regulations and an in-
creasing concern for the environ-
ment are pushing fuel economy
standards higher. Manufacturers

of large, heavy cars must do
everyihing they can to meet them.
Improved aerodynamics is one
way to decrease fuel consumption
at higher speeds by reducing wind
resistance.

The 98's wind-cheating stape
now has a significantly lower drag
coefficient of .31, versus .39 for
last year’s model. The 98's win-
dow glass, headlamps, tail lamps
and door handles are mounted
flush with the surface of the car

to decrease sriction,

Aside from the benefits of
aerodynamics, the 98's appearance
is now distinctive, no longer
resembling other G.M. cars. This
should give it tnore prestige and
exclusivity in the luxury car seg-
ment.

Its unique styling features in-
chide ribbed body cladding
around the entire lower perimeter
of the car and a half-closed wheel
arch over the rear wheels.

Compared with Jast year's
model, the new 98 is about 241
mim (9.5 inches) longer overall and
slightly wider and taller, but re-
tains a@ 2814 mos (210.8 inch)
wheelbase.

The inereused Jength has con-
tributed to greater interior and
trunk space. This is really
noticeable in the back seat where
passengers can stretch out and feel
comfortable. The huge trunk is
considerably bigger than last year
aud will swallow up an amazing
amount of luggage.

Available at Dick Irwin on
Marine Drive the 98 comes in two
trim levels, Regency Ete and
Touring Sedan. Both are powered
by a 3.8 litre V6 with £70 horse-

power (5 more than fast year},
which is mated to a new elec.
tronically-controlled four speed

automatic transmission which has
a column-mounted stickshift.
The powertrain is incredibly

Greg
Wilson —

TEST DRIVE

smooth and quiet, with enough
Jorgue to provide instant response

whenever

you put your foot

See Olds page 4

* Tires

‘Téchnical data.

© Price as tested
$33,185
¢ Type
4 door, 6 passenger sedan
*® Layout
transverse fro engine /frent
wheel drive
* Engine
3800 co CHIV VG w/tuned
port sequential fuel injection
© Horsepower
170 @ 4800 rpm
« Torque
220 ths-ft @ 3200 rpm
© Transmission
electronicalfy-contrafled 4
speed auto. with overdrive

205/70 R15 alt season radials
Curh Weight

1636 ke/3607 Ibs

Wheelbase

2814 mm/$10.8 in.

Length

$227 mm/2058,8 in.

Width

1868 mm/73.5 in.

Height

THO ne / SSS ine

Trunk space

$72 4/20.2 cu.ft.

Fuct econemys

City (3.61/22 mpp tiwy 8.07

POR poten sean,

35 impe

Warranty
Basic 3 yrs 80,000 kin
Powertrain 0 yis/ 160,000 kin