WHO TO CALL: Auto Editor B A.P. McCredie 985. sta SERA nea CAR CHRONOLOGY 1769 —- Frenchman Nicholas- Joseph Cugnot builds the world’s first steam-powered vehicle (a tractor). 1860 -— First gas-fuelled combustion engine is devel- oped by Jean Etienne Lenoir. 1831 — The British govern- , Ment passes legislation requiring all “horseless car- rriages” to be led by a man - carrying a red flag. The law comes to be known as the “Red Flag” Act. 1901 — The first"Mercedes *- takes to the roads. The vehi- cle was a direct ancestor of ‘the modern car. 1943 — A good year for tires, # as Goodyear introduces the - first’ tubeless tire and }.Michelin develops the radial- tire. (Safety ply tires, designed to seal themselves after a leak develops, weren't — introduced by 1972). -* 1955 — Citroen produces the: vvadvanced DS-19 “shark-.. front” car with hydropneu- matic suspension. 1959 ~—- BMC (now known as . Rover) introduces the Issigonic-designed Mini, a perennial classic. The small: car featured front-wheel- Sdrive, transverse engine, and . independent rubber suspen- sion. 1966 — The *“ pollution legislation. 1980 — The first mass pro- State of: California introduces North : America’s first vehicle air: duced car with four-wheel- drive, the Audi Quattro, is. = brought to market, Japan:’ automakers’ production over-- takes that of the U.S.A. 2131 (113) N, ile a bane ot, mere 6 NEWS pho: INQUIRE ABOUT the VW Jetta GLX at Wetmore Motors, 2203 Marine Br., West Vancouver. New V6 engine improves Jetta’s performance THE VOLKSWAGEN Jetta is the latest imported compact sedan to join the “V6 Club.” Just about every compact sedan on the market now offers a V6 engine as an option. in large part because V6-equipped models often out-sell their four-cylinder counterparts, Even that perennial four cylinder holdout, the Honda Accord, will be getting a V6 engine next year. Four cylinder engines may be more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly, but many motorists have opted for the smoothness and power of the new genera- tion of small, overhead cam six-cylinder engines that have come on the market over the past 10 years. Base Jettas continue to offer both 1.8-litre and 2.0- litre four cylinder engines in CL and GL trim levels as well as a 1.9-litre turbo diesel powerplant in GL trim. The Jetta VR6, available only in top-of-the-line GLX trim, can be visually identified by its standard 15- inch performance radials mounted on Jattice-style BBS alloy wheels. The VR6 also boasts fog lamps, darker a 14 in stock (5 demos) Now Is the right time to make your trade! a There are _ 4x4’s, There are also thinner tail lenses, and a trunk spoiler. Its new 172 horsepower, 2.8-litre V6 engine is the same engine powering the Corradg and the Passat, and soon to be offered in the Golf GTi. This narrow-angle, overhead cam 2.8-litre V6 engine is one of the smoothest, most responsive engines on the market, and it transforms the Jetta from a mediocre but fuel-effi- cient performer to a powerful and not-so-fuel-stingy Sports sedan. Urban fuel consumption with the V6 is 13.1 litres per 100 kilometres (22 1.p.g.), compared to 10.6 1/100 km (27 m.p.g.) with the 1,8-Htre four cylinder engine. Fuel economy aside. the Jetta GLX VR6 now has the power and engine responsiveness to match its great handling. The Jetta uses the same platform and suspen- sion as the Golf hatchback and has always offered excellent ride and handling characteristics. To its inde- pendent front struts and coil springs and rear semi- independent, track-correcting torsion beam, the GLX adds rear gas shocks, stiffer springs, and high-perfor- See Jetta page 32 Bf INCLUDED: yore” Greg Wilson less expensive * 4.3L V6 200 hp A engine ® 4 speed electronic transmission ° 4 wheel ABS - even in 4WD * Locking differential - alloy wheels e Roof carrier - deluxe console Ve * Cruise, tilt, air - all power options _° Leather seating & much, much more!