wa te 46 Restyled in a more contemporary vein, the 1992 Oldsmobile 88 Royale sedan features an aerodynamic new exterior and an attractive interior. 99 OLDSMOBILE’S full-size 88 Royal sedan receives contemporary new _ styling and more standard features for the 1992 model year, but the essential character of this car has not changed. Previous 88 owners will proba- bly be happy to know that its smooth 3.8 litre V6 engine, sis passenger roominess and big car tide have not changed. While some big sedans look bulky because of their sheer size, the restyled Oldsmobile 88 looks well-proportioned, in my opinion. Keep ia mind that the &8 sedan is over five metres (16 feet) in fength. Its low, rounded nose, long hood, and short, high rear 7. Idsmobile 88 deck are a well-executed styling exercise, though some may debate the use of a body-colored grille. The interior of the 88 is also new, with a dashboard that wraps around into the doors, softer edges, less chrome, and artificial woodgrain trim. The split (55/45), reclining front bench seat is wide and comforta- ble enough for three people with two outboard lap and shoulder belts and a centre lap belt. The two outboard belts have a useful pillaremounted height) adjustment to help prevent the shoulder belt from cutting uncomfortably across the ovcupant’s neck. A driver's side airbag is now standard equipment on the 88, but as yel, a passenger side airbag is not available. A cleverly-designed folding cen- tre armrest opens up to reveal a Slorage compartment with two fold-out cupholders, coin tray, cassette holders and compact disc hoiders. The reur bench seat accommo- dates three people and has two Price as tested $24,916 Buse price $23,498 Type 4-door, 6-passenger sedan Layout transverse front engine/front-wheel-drive + x Friday, September 27, 1991 ~ North Shore News - 25 vutboard three-point seatbelts and a centre lap belt. As you might expect with a large car, there is pienty of legroom and headroom for both front and rear passen- gers. The standard analogue gauge cluster consists of a large ‘‘half- moon"? shaped speedometer di- rectly ahead of the driver, and smaller fuel and coolant gauges on either side. Unfortunately, these gauges look rather cheap, with fines and numerals ‘‘painted’’ in bright colors onto a flat, black background. This detracts from an otherwise attractive interior. Digital instrumentation is avail- able, for those who prefer it. The S8&s excellent drivetrain, which has been retained from last year, is probably the 88's best feature. The 170-horsepower, 3.8 litre pushrod V6 engine is equip- ped with balance shafts, distributor-less ignition, roller-type valve lifters and sequential port fuet injection, all features design- ed to help) make this engine smooth, vibration-free, and more Engine 3.8 litre V6, tuned port sequential fuel injection Horsepower 170 @ 4800 rpin Terque 220 titbs @ 3200 rpm Carb weight 1580 kg /3485 Ibs Wheelbase 2815 mins tt0.8 in, Length 5090 mm 7200.4 in. Width 1882 mm/74.1 in. Heipht (414 mm/54.7 in. Royale NEWS photos Neil Lucente reliable. The engine develops its max- imum of 220 fi-Ibs of torque at just 3200 rpm, meaning that even at low engine speeds, this engine has plenty of pull. It has a tendency to want to loaf along, See Improvements page 28 Greg Wilson a TEST DRIVE space 381 1/17.0 cu, ft. Fuel economy n/a Warranty Basic 3 yrs/80,000 kms Powertrain @ yrs/160,000 kins Inquire about the new Oldsmobile 88 Royale at Dick Irwin, 845 Marine Dr., N.V.