WHEN the Isuzu Trooper was introduced in 1988 (then sold by Passport dealerships), it had 2 120 horsepower four-cylinder engine and a base price under $18,000. Today, the Trooper has a 218 horsepower V6 engine and starts at $34,975. Top- of-the-line Trooper Limited models now go for $46,190. The Trooper is not the only sport utility vehicle to move upscale over the past 10 years. The Chevrolet Blazer, Ford Explorer, GMC Jimmy, Toyota 4Runner, Nissan Pathfinder, Jecp Cherokee and Grand Cherokee have all gone up in price and content over the years. Fully- equipped, some of these sport-vtes can top $50,000. In part, the Trooper’s price increase can be attrib- uted to the addition of more features — more horsepower, more luxury features, more safety features, improved ride, handiing, and nuise suppres- sion. Like many of today’s sport utility vehicles, the Trooper has evolved from a rather rough, recreational, off-road vehicle to a luxuriously- equipped family vehicle that is capable of a number of differ- ent uses. The current Trooper was t redesigned in 1992. Ih. 8, it received new front- end styling, a larger 215 horsepower 3.5-litre DOHC 24 valve V6 engine (up from 190 horsepower 3.2-litre V6), and a new “Torque-on- Dem2nd” 4WD system on THE 1998 Isuzu Treoper has received its first styling revision since 1992, éd from a 190 horse; north shore news # AUTO a a = “S “ ae ity market “Torque on Demand.” Test drive the new Trcoper at Morrey Saturn Saab Isuzu in Burnaby. Limited models only. Standard S and LS Troopers still have a part-time, shift- on-the-fly system. All Troopers have four doors and standard four- wheel-drive. Standard features on the base S model include a five-speed manual transmis- sion, big 245/70R-16 inch Mud and Snow tires mounted on alloy wheels, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, air-con- diticning, power windows and central locking, duai airbags, remote keyless entry, AM/FM cassette with four speakers, rear wiper and washer, intermittent wipers, heated power mirrors, front and rear cupholders, and folding rear bench seat. All Troopers have four height- adjustable head restraints —- the rear head restraints recess into the cop of the seatback when not in.use so as not to impede rear vision. To the standard features on the § model, the LS model adds a standard four- speed automatic transmission, wae Introducing the all new SAAB 9-3 and SAAB 9-5 “taking performance with safety to new heights. 4451 Lougheed Hwy at Will tngdon, Burnaby better quality cloth seats, split fold and tumble reaz seats, rear privacy glass, five-spoke alloy wheels, front map lights, map pockets, and cargo rails on the rear floor. Top-of-che-line Limited models add feather upho!- stery, power, heated driver and passenger seats, mult- disc CD player, six speakers, lattice-stvle alloy wheels, power sunroof, fog lamps, and the “Torque on Demand” 4WD system. ‘The Limited’s new four- wheel-drive system is similar to that offered by Ford and Jeep. With the press of a but- ton on the dash, the Trooper switches from rear-wheel- drive to a system which auto- matically varies torque between the front and rear wheels. It operates in rear- wheel-drive until there is some rear wheel slip, then sends up to 50% of the power to the front wheels until trac- tion is regained. The advantage of this type of 4WD system is that it can f wstly at the front end. In addition, the engine has been upg er 3.2-litre VG to a 215 horespower 3.5-litre V6 engine, and Limited models now offer a fuil-time 4WD system called be operated in dry or slippery conditions without harming. the drivetrain, and the driver doesn’t have to remember tu switch in and ouc of 4WD when road conditions change. The Trooper Limited also has a 4WD Low gear which is engaged by pushing on a flocr lever whea the vehicle is stopped and in Neutral. Thi is used for really severe, off- road conditions. The Trooper’s new 215 See Isuzu page 37 The all new 1999 9-3 starts at $33,200" The all new 1999 9-5 starts at $39,800* See them today at Morrey Saab. Available for immediate delivery. MORREY SATURN SAAB ISUZU “Includes PDI, add $8 ROE Teed TN rae of Bs