26 — Friday, September 2, 1988 - North Shore News THE FIREBIRD lineup for 1988 continues to build on the strengths established in 1987 — fun-to-drive Firebird, “street performer’? Formula, muscular, high-styled Trans Ar, the ultimate GTA — and offers even more in power- train, trim and equipment features for the coming model year. The distinctive GTA will be ful- ly equipped for 1988, elevating it from the rest of the Firebird line with its host of standard features and a powertrain that makes it one of America’s premier performance cars. With its standard $.7-ltre tuned-port injected (TPL) V-8 with an output of 225 horsepower and the four-speed automatic transmis- sion, the GTA's estimated 0-60 performance is about 6.5 seconds. The 5.0 litre TP] V-8 engine is op- tional on the GTA, with five-speed manual or four-speed auromatic transmissions. GTA's outstanding handling characteristics come from the standard WS6 performance suspension package which includes 36-mm_ front and 24-mm_ rear stabilizer bars, a quick 12:7 power steering ratio, specifically-tuned springs and gas filled-shocks and struts. Road-gripping P245/ SOVRI16 tires mounted on lightweight 16-inch gold-centre, cross-lace aluminum wheels and four-wheel disc brakes complete the GTA picture. The top-of-the-line GTA has a list of standard features including 45/45 split folding rear seats with integral headrests, rear deck power pull-down, electric rear window defogger, air conditioning and tinted glass, power windows and locks, bodyside mouldings, cruise control, tilt steering wheel, steering wheel radio controls, AM/FM stereo with cassette and graphic equalizer, power antenna, and “Pass Key’? theft deterrent system. Fully-articulating adjustable custom bucket seats with thigh support and power lumbar support and side bolsters are standard, in cloth or optional leather trim. A 224 km-h (140 m.p.h.) speedameter with analog tachome- ter and gauges is standard on GTA. Liquid crystal display (LCD) instrumentation is available as an option on both GTA and the Trans Am. For 1988 Trans Am is powered by the new standard 5.0 litre and five-speed manual transmission, su THE VOICE OF RONTH AND WEST WAMCOUVER - FRIDAY NDAY - WEDNESDAY thee pgp Rp pee, It's also available with the 5.0 titre TPL V-8 with an improved air in- duction system, or the 5.7 litre V-8 with the automatic transmission. Trans Am’s standard Y99 Rally Tuned suspension componentry includes P2!15/65R15 tires, 15’ x 7° deep-dish or diamond spoke cast aluminum wheels and 34-mm front, 23-mm rear stabilizer bars and specially-rated springs and shocks. The WS6_ performance suspension package is also optional on the Trans Am. Inside, Trans Am has a standard Pallex cloth treatment; an optional custom trim group including the deluxe door trim and split folding rearseats, unique front bucket seats and Metrix cloth trim, Sever- al levels of radio equipment are available; AM/FM stereo with seek-scan and clock is standard. A popular return to the Firebird lineup in 1987, the Formula in Trans Am GTA | Photo submitted 1988 can take advantage of several optional features to enhance its ‘street machine’ image. Standard on the Formula is the healthy 5.0 litre TBI V-8. Addi- tional performance can be derived from a 5.0 litre TPl V-8 engine with an improved air induction system, delivering 190 hp with an automatic transmission, 215 hp with a manual. The final step up is the available 5.7 litre TPE V-8 producing 225 horsepower. All V-8 engines receive a serpentine acces- sory belt drive design in 1988. On the outside, Formula receives 16-inch cast aluminum deep-dish wheels mounted with P245/ SOVR1I6 blackwall tires. The stan- dard WS6 performance suspension package completes the Formula’s handling picture. Two new metallic two-tone ireatments are highlighted: silver bluc and medium orange.