30 — Friday, March 20, 1998 - North Shore News

THE Pontiac Firebird
Trans Am has been asso-
ciated with the world of
high-performance rac-
ing since it was intro-
duced in the late ‘60s.
The name Trans Am,
which first appeared on the
Firebird in 1968, was bor-
rowed from a popular sedan
racing series in which modified
Firebirds raced against
Camaros, Mustangs, and
Javelins. Though Trans Am
racing went into hiatus fer a
le, it now continues with
heavily- modified, non-stock
versions of the Mustang and

Greg
Wilson

arive

Camaro.

The latest version of the
Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
remains true to its perfor-
mance image with increased
horsepower and sportier
styling.

You be the judge at

MORREY SATURN SAAB ISUZU

This vear, a version of the
Corvette’s LS] 5.7-lire VS
engine is standard equipment
in the Trans Am Coupe, Trans
Am Convertible and the
Formula Coupe. This new
engine otters 305 horsepower,
20 more than dast year. An
even more powerful 320
horsepower version of this
engine is offered with the
optional WS6 Ram Air pack-
age.

To keep up with the
engines, a beefier automatic
transmission torque converter
has been made available while
a six-speed manual transmis-
sion continues as the standard

transmission,

Base Firebird models, by
the way, have a standard 200
horsepower  3.8-lirre V6
engine, which is nothing to
sneeze at. And this vear, V6
Firebirds have standard four
wheel disc brakes, replacing
the front disc/rear drum
setup,

Exterior changes to the
Trans Am are quite extensive.
There's a new hood, tenders
and front bumper with scatter,
sweeping contours, a promi-
nent V-shape in the hood, and
two large, round fog lights in
the bumper. The hood vents
have been deleted, but there

are BRO new ar inlets below
the leading edwe of the hood
and vo non-functional air
outlers in the front side fend-
ers. WSO models have an addi-
aonal heed bulge and owo
extra air intakes for its forced
air induction system.

At the rear, the tailigbts
have a new hexagorial pattern,
and a new trunk-mounted
spoiler which is simply huge.
New 16-inch, five-spoke alu-
minum wheels and 235,/55R-
i6 high-pertormance tires are
now standard on the ‘Trans
Am, while 17-inch wheels are
available with the Ram Air
package.

IF YOU CAN'T DECIDE
BETWEEN A PATHFINDER AND
A 4-RUNNER, DON'T.

1998 ISUZU RODEO
boy nor aO,4 1] o*

LEASE FROM

3769 Lougheed Hwy ait Willingdon, Burnaby

DEAL ATRBAGS

SHUPTON- THE:
HY Wid

POSH BFL

SENNT AL LEVER

Photo submitted

THE 1998 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am convertible has sleeker front-end styling, a more powerful 305 horsepower 5.7-litre engine, a standard six-speed manual trans-
mission, and a power-operated top. Test drive the new Firebird at Regency Pontiac in North Vancouver.

Restyled Trans Am adds power}

The standard six-speed
manual transmission — offers
solid, direct, niechanical
throws, and excellent: year
ratios, However, jz has one
annoving feature: itis
designed to automatically
move the gear lever trom Ist
to 4th gear if the driver shilts
trom Ist co 2nd gear when the
engine is between 1800 and
2700 rpm. This feature was
designed to help GM meet
corporate average fuel econo-
my requirements in the ULS.,
but [mv sure most driver's
don’t fike it,

See New page 31

S41 DONC VG
JT VALNI

MANUAL LEVER

iIsSuUe2uU

294-1831

Go farther.

“Based on 36 mo. lease, $2,500 down, TP $15 064 plus laxes & deposit, 0 A.C