% WHO TOG CALL: % Auto Editor a Andrew McCredie 965-2131 (147) Acura’ S THERE ARE pienty of two-door coupes and hatchbacks under $20,000 and quite a few luxury coupes over $40,000, but there is a definite vacuum ia the $25,000-$35,000 range. That's where Acura has positioned its new “personal luxury coupes,” the 2.2CL and 3.0CL These front-wheel- drive, five passenger cou offer a blend of sneo-classic” styling, sporty performance and a healthy complement of luxury features. : En terms of size and price, the CL. fits in between the compact Acuta Integra and mnid-sized 2.5TL/3.2TL (for- merly Vigor). The 2.2CL starts at $27,800 and tops out at $30,000. Prices for the yet- ~», unavailabie 3.0CL have not Greg Wiison minate in white when the car is reversing. The can only be opened from inside or with a remote electronic key fob. The CL’s clean, unclut- - tered profile is also very attractive. The blacked-out centre “B” pillars, expansive . Side glass, rich paint finish, and attractive 6-spoke alloy wheels give it a classy look. Alas, if only the front of . the car was as distinctive as " Millar, the 2.2CL is is devigned to appeal to maturing (or is that aging?) baby boomers, 35 to 44, who want a stylish, well-equipped, two-door . a - Coupe priced under $30,000. : The CL is certainly, stylish _ when viewed from the rear or . ‘the side." The bold design of — tthe tail is a modem interpreta- "thon of the traditional humped ~. @eck lid popular on classic ‘Bentley and Rolls-Royce “models and not-so-classic The CLs rear ‘deck slopes the rear window the rear, The CL’s nose bears a striking resemblance to the ‘’ Honda Accord Coupe. Most — “people won't be able to tell specifically, the Accord Coupe . EX-R. The U.S.-built CL uses 7 ly.modified version of the’. Accor" 's double wishbone independent suspension, and _ the saine 14S. horsepower - VIEC 2,2 litre four-cylinder ine as the EX-R. ~The 3.0CL, which arrives with 4 wheel anti-lock brakes, aitbag, ’ door guard beams, etc. All encased ina - space-aged body that cannot rust and will f maintain its lustre for years anders eats and years tocome just 32 pounds each) and you can ~ sleep there ~ or — you have ap Ee later this year, will get a new 3.0 litre V6 engine, not the 2.7 litre unit in the Accord V6. Though it’s tempting to call the 2.2CL an Accord Coupe EX-R with a fancy rear-end, there are some important differences between the CL and the Accord Coupe aside from the unique tail. For one thing, the interior is all-new. Like other Acuras, it has an elegant, horizontal theme with tastefully applied wood trim on the dash, quali- ty-looking dash materials that are well-finished, and an attractive blend of chromed door handles and matching shades of plastic varying from black console inserts to light and dark shades on the doors, seats and dashboard. The interior is roomy enough for four adults, and the passenger seat automati- cally slides forward when the front passenger seatback is folded forwards. The driver's seat does not have this feature, though. There is a rear armrest and a lockable, pass-through ski sack to the trunk, but the rear seat does not fold forward. ~ Nice touches include an in- dash sunglasses holder, and slide-out dual cupholders. ! ' disliked the heater/ventilation controls because the buttons are so tiny, and the fan control has to adjusted to maximum setting before returning to minimum speed. The CL’s level of standard equipment is slightly higher - than an Accord Coupe EX-R. The CL has 16 inch radials instead of 15 inch tires, auto- ° matic climate control instead ~ of standard air conditioning, a standard CD player instead of cassette, and keyless entry. . Other CL standard features include 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, 6-spoke alloy. wheels, 6-way power driver's seat, power windows, door locks and sunroof, variable intermittent wipers, and a leather-wrapped Steering wheel. {t's our van ~ THE ACURA 2.2CL ig a new loor luxury coupe based on the Honda Accord. it features a distinctive “neo- classic” rear end, a luxurious interiors, sporty handling and as price —s under $30,000. Test drive the 2.2CL at Burrard Acura, 2222 Burrard, Vancouver. Safety features include . dual front airbags, side-door beams, anti-lock brakes, 3- point seatbelts at all four out- board positions, and fixed rear head restraints. The only option offered i is leather-trimmed seats and door panels, and a siorage pocket on the back of the front seat. Another important distinc- tion between the CL and the © Accord EX-R is the CL’s per- ~ formance. The CL is a sporti- er car with better handling, improved noise insulation, and " a stiffer ‘body structure. Its © bigger tires and retuned sus- pension offer superb, stable handling. The steering is pre- cise and the manual gearbox makes quick shifting easy. The CL’ comes fully. equipped for $27,800 — there ae no - |” entry-level models, Tack on ° $1,000 for an automatic trans- mission and about $1 200 for ’ leather upholstery. Competitors include the: BMW 318is, Nissan 240SX, Mazda MX-6, Ford Probe, . _ Toyota Celica and Camry Coupe, and perhaps even the Acura Integra SE Coupe and Honda Accord Coupe EX-R. “THE 96 LUMINA VANS It's a Chevy Van — and we're proud of it, it’s TRIED, TESTED AND TRUE! and it’s the ONLY VAN ON THE CAA’S TOP 10 LIST! (1996 o Canatian Automabite AStociation ~ Used Car Performance Survey) - AUTO. PAINTING. & BODYWORKS Reg 429.85 over $00 now *SI9* 945 West: ist Si. —G9B4-AITT “Vans, trucks ond commercial ‘whices by. estimate, bebver, nt repair and stripping ‘of old paint extra. Additional surface may be ’ necessary. Not valid with any other offer." MAACO “Auto Pointing & | ; Bodyworks centers are independent fronchises of MAACO Enterprises. The prices, Pours endl services ay vary. Sarthe de air conditioning, am/fm sont ee plus exsiey br aren seat not oy bite me ck a also “up & ine combines mae for lots of jr an eat mileage! horsepowe auto much mere; f Store ~ so al Us at 987-5: US at 845, With your trade (or cash] of $1,999 down, A short 36 month . SmartLease OAC — Taxes are extra — Total paid is $11,838.16