THE Acura 1.6EL is anew Acura mode! based on the Civic sedan. Starting at $17,690, it offers more juxury features, a more pow-

erful 127 horsepower engine, bigger 15-inch tires, and standard dual airbags and anti-lock brakes.

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drive

’ THE Acura 1.6EL is a
new subcompact, feur-
door sedan based on the
Honda Civic.

Starting ar $17,800, the
1.6EL is now the smatlest,
least expensive Acura model.
The Acura Integra two- «door
Coupe will stay in Acura’s line-
up for 1997, but the Integra
sedan, a potential competitor
for the L.GEL, has been

dropped. The 1.6EL was
designed exclusively for
Canada, and is not sold any-
where else.

Canadian Acura marketers
believe there is a market for a
well-equipped small sedan that
offers sporty handling and the
practicality of four doors.
Young couples and couples
with small children, who cur-
rently own a sporty hatchback
or coupe, are expected to be
the primary buyers.

The major differences
between the Civic EX sedan
and the 1.6EL are the Acura’s
more conservative styling, big-
ger 127 horsepower 1.6-liter
four-cylinder engine (bor-
rowed from the Civic Coupe
Si), larger 15-inch tires, a
sportier suspension, and more
standard interior fearures.

A restyled nose and tail

with more angular proportions
gives the 1.6EL a more tradi-
tional, and perhaps more luxu-
rious, appearance. A selection
of deeper, richer paint colors
and optional alloy wheels adds
to the more expensive look of
the LOEL,

The standard 1.6 -litrc
DOHC 16 valve four-cylinder
engine Ww ith VTEC (variable

valve timing and lift electrenic
contrel) has 127 horsepower
compared to the Civic’s 106
horsepower. This gives the
1.6EL superier straight-line
performance, but the engine
still lacks torque and needs to
be rewed high when decelerat-
ing, which creates some engine
noise, However, at normal city
and highway speeds, the
engine is comlortably quiet.

A quick, smooth-shifting
five-speed manual transmission

"MERCEDES BENZ OWNERS

If you wish to sell your vehicle directly to Mercedes Benz or if you would like a current
evaluation of your vehicle, please contact the Sales Manager at your convenience.

ner month

Vou can pay
more, yau just
can't get more.

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The wheels sre turning

Based on 36 mo laase with 3950 dawn, plus taacs, $795 Mrenght & PO: and letmo recuitly FP $7,829

933-21

North Vancouver SUztKi 1595 narce GW. van

88

is standard equipment and a
four-speed automatic is
optional.

Like the Civic, the 1.6EL
has a fully independent double
wishbone suspension which
provides balanced, stable han-
dling. Some suspension refine-
ments and larger 15-inch Gres
(compared to the Civie’s 14-
inch tires), have improved grip
and handling limits.

Base models, wich start at
$17,800, have standard dual
airbays, high grade cloth sears,

technical data

Base price: $17,800

Type: four-door, five-passenger sub-
compact

Layout: front engine/front-wheel-

drive

Engine:

1.6-litre four-cylinder,

VTEC, DOHC, 16 valves

Photo subenitted

Horsepower: 127 @ 6,600 r.p.m.
Torque: 107 ft.-lbs. @ 3, 500 r.p.m.
Transmission: Five- -speed manual

(four-speed automatic)

50 wart AM/FM stereo with
four speakers, 60/40 split
folding rear seatbacks, power
windows and door locks,
power-heated door mirrors, tilt
steering column, tachometer,
cruise control, and a remote
keyless entry system with a
‘panic’ button.

Also standard is a radio
antenna imprinted into the
rear window (less susceptible
to car wash damage), and
windshield washer with a wide
spray patiern, specifically

per

mer rnontihy

f Lease. All payments based en 24 months. Lease total paid Saturn SLI $4,
Coupe $4,824, $7008, $8112 Saturn St 2 $4. 176. 56060, 2) $8040. Taxes exira

designed for Canadian winters.

Competitors for the 1.6EL
include the Toyota Corolla,
VW Jetta GLS, and Saturn
SL2.

+ However, none of the
other luxury car brands, such
as Lexus and Infinis, offer a
‘premium’ smail car in this
price range. That makes the
1.6E1L a unique propesition.

If it succeeds, you can be
sure other luxury car makers
will be bringing out srnall tux-
ury cars as well.

month