eae 3 SEs eon ’ THE 1994 Oldsmobile 88 Royale is a full-size Vé-powered, front-wheel-drive, four door sedan that seats u race sume ee alrbags, optional traction control, and a redesigned interior. Base models start at $25,948. ee cone atte Ae On NEWS photo Paul McGrath p to six passengers. New features for 1994 include dual Full-size sedan’s major styling changes on the inside for 1994 TEST DRIVE OVER THE past couple of decades, the Oldsmobile 88 Royale (formerly the Delta 88) has evolved from an overweight, V8-powered, rear-wheel drive, four-door sedan into something differ- ent. Ina feaner, more energy-con- scious world, a mandatory weight- reduction plan was (he price of sur- vival for the 88 and other hig American ears. The 1994 Oldsmobile 88 Royale is typical of a new generation of big cars: it’s trim on the outside, yet big on the inside; powerful but surpris- ingly fuel-efficient; and is enjoying a rapidly improving reputation for build quality. Oid 88s from 1989 through 1993 ranked as the cighth most reliable car on the Canadian Automobile Association’s 1994 top-10 owner satisfaction survey. Despite its leaner demeanor, the 1994 Olds 88 has no shortage of interior room. With a 2,814 mm (111 in.) wheelbase and a trans- versely mounted engine, the Olds 88 offers a wider, more spacious six-passenger cabin with plenty of front and rear legroom and head- room, Wide door openings offer easy access. In keeping with today's crop of wind-tunnel generated cur designs, the 83"s styling has became more rounded in recent years, almost European-like. But the major styling changes for 1994 are on the inside. Lust year’s oversize square dashboard with its chrome trim and keyboard-like array of hard-to-fig- ure-out buttons bas been replaced by a gently curving, hooded cowl and simpler, casier-ta-reach con- trols, : A passenger-side airbag now complements the driver’ 28 standard equipment, and the power-seat controls are now mount- ed on the door panel in the shape of a seat ~ an idea used successfully by Mercedes-Benz for years. One relic from the past are vent windows. The only problem is that they are fixed: they don’t open. Another smal) gripe: ibe rear side windows open fess than halfway. One of the 88's best features, in my opinion, is its powertrain. A Standard 170-horsepower 3.8-litre V6 engine is coupled with a four- speed automatic transmission. This engine is not a particularly modern or technologically advanced powerplant (overhead valves, two valves per cylinder), but it is nevertheless a smooth, responsive, quiet, and reasonably fuel-efficient engine. The 3.8-litre V6 engine revs efforlessly and comfortably at free- way speeds (1.800 rpm at 100 km/h) and has lots of reserve power and torque for passing and acceler- ating. This engine/transmission combi- nation remains one of the happiest powertrain marriages in the full- size sedan class. Fuel consumption in urban dri- ving is pegged at 12.5 litres per 100 kilometres (23 mpg) by Transport et ee A Price as tested (LSS) $32,423 Base price $25,940 Type four-door, five-passenger full-size sedan Layout transverse front engine/ front-wheet drive Engine 3.8-litre OHV V6, two valves per cylinder Horsepower 170 @ 4,800 rpm Torque 225 ft-lbs. @ 3,200 rpm Transmission four-speed aulo- matic Curb weight 1.573 kg Canada, though actual driving may prove less fuel efficient. On the highway, the 88's fuef consumption can go as fow as 8.3 litres per }00 kilometres (36 mpz) —a good figure fora full-size sedan. The Olds 88 is an ideal car for long journeys: quiet, roomy, power- ful. smooth riding, and easy-to- drive. Its size makes it less appeal- ing in urban environments, purticu- larly when manoeuvring for tight parking spots. Front-wheel drive is a bonus in slippery conditions, but to increase driving safety, traction control has Wheelbase 2,814 mm (110.8 in.) Length 5,091 mm (200.4 in.) Width 1,882 mm (74.1 in.) Height 1,414 mm (55.7 in.) Tires P225/60R 16 all-season Fuel consumption City 12.5 L/100 km (23 mpg); Hwy 7.9 L/L00 km (36 mpg) Warranty three years/60,000 km Inquire about the Olds 88 at Dick Irvin Chevrolet Oldsmobile, 845 Marine Dr.. North Vancouver. been added to the options listed for 1994, A new, sportier trim level has been added for 1994. The top-of- the: Hse LSS has larger i$-inch radials and alloy wheels, a slightly stiffer suspension, five-passenger seating arrangement with a console- mounted floor shifter, tachometer, six-way power sents, and optional leather. Base 88 Royales start at $25,948: LS models at $29, 148: and LSS at $32.423. These General Motors manufacturer's suggested retail prices include freight and dealer inspection charges.