THE ACURA Vigor (pronounced
like bigger) breaks new ground for
Japanese sports sedans in a
number of important areas. Don't
let its conservative appearance
fool you, the four-door Vigor
sedan has a surprisingly sporty
character that is more like a
European sports sedan than a
Japanese one.

While not quite a ‘driver's car’
like the BMW 325i or Audi 90,
the Vigor is very powerful,
responsive and agile as well as be-
ing sumptuously equipped.
Significantly, all of this is offered
at a price considerably less than
most of its European competitors.
Japanese luxury car makers, like
Acura, Lexus and Infiniti, are not
making it easy for the Europeans,

Friday, July 5. 1991 - North Shore News

-23

46 ALL Vigors are powered by Acura’s first

Sive-cyliider engine, one of the few five-

cylinder engines in the world. Like the Acura
Integra’s inline four and the Legend’s V6,
the Vigor’s 176 horsepower, 2.5 litre five
cylinder engine is wonderfully smooth
and free-revving. 99

Acura Vigor

Conservative styling masks an impressive performer

who had the luxury and perfor-
mance market to themselves for
many years.

Starting at $27,500, the front-
wheel-drive Vigor slots in neatly
between the sporty Integra and the
lusury Legend models in size and
price and is available in two trim
levels, LS and GS.

The Vigor's styling conforms to
all the current styling trends, with
a low, aerodynamic front end with
integrated halogen headlamps and
driving Jamps, a ‘tcab-forward"’
design, high rear deck, and a long
H0-inch wheelbase with the front
wheels set very far forward on the
body. But everywhere you look,
there are hints of Audi, Mercedes,
BMW, and other Acura motoar-
cars. Contemporary yes, but not

very original.

ics a shame that the styling of
the Vigor isn’t more distinctive
because some people might be put
off by its appearance before they
drive it. My recommendation is
that you drive it, then decide. This
is one heck of a car and deserves
a second look.

All Vigors ure powered by
Acura’s first five-eylinder engine,
one of the few — five-cylinder
engines in the world. Like the In-
tegra’s inline four and the
Legend’s V6, the Vigor's 176
horsepower, 2.5 fitre five-cylinder
engine is wonderfully smooth and
free-revving, ICs amazing how
quickly and easily this engine will
wind up to its 6800 rpm redline.
making some very sporting sounds

Price as tested $27,500
Type four door, five
senger sedan

Layout longtitudinal front
engine/front wheel drive
Engine 2451 cc incline five
cylinder, SOHC, 20° valve
programmed fuel inj., (wo-
stage induction
Horsepower 176 @

pas-

6300

in the process.

While most front-wheel-drive
cars have the engine mounted
sideways over the front: wheels to
save on interior space, the Vigor’s
engine is mounted lenethveays with
the transmission directly behind it,
similar to the Legend. This is
done to reduce drivetrain vibra-
tions and improve front to rear
weight distribution for better
handling and stability.

My test car had an elee-
tronically-controled four-speed
automatic transmission which was
extremely responsive, ready to
drop down a gear or two at the
touch of the accelerator pedal.
Some people night not tke the

See Interior page 24

rpm
Torque
rpm
Transmission
manual/four speed — elec-
tronically controlled
automatic w/lockup torque
conv,

Tires 205/60 RIS all-season
radials
Curb weight
Ibs
Wheelbase

170 Ibs-ft @ 3900

five speed

1457 ke /3212

2805 mm/110.4

Greg
Wilson

TEST DRIVE

in.

Length 4835 mm/190.4 in.
Width 1780 mm/70.]1 in.
Height 1370 mm/53.9 in.
Trankspace 402 L/14.2 cu.
ft.

Fuel economy (auto.) City
11.9 £./100 km; 24 mpg.
Hwy 8.5 L/100 km;
mpeg.

33

Warranty Basic

60,000 kms

3 oyrs/