overdrive

SPORT UTILITY vehicies

are the hottest type of vehicles -

today, and the momentum
shows no signs of slowing.

To meet the increasing demand,
automakers are expanding the sport-
utility territory with a sentes of
smaller, fun-oriented sport utilities at
one end, and larger, utility-focused
models at the other extreme.

Aimed directly at the Generation
X bunch, Suzuki’s upcoming X90
sport utility vehicle will fill the niche
as a compact-sized, affordable two-

- seater fun-mobile. The cute, almost
affectionate-looking X90 will arrive
in the fall complete with a four-
wheel-drive system, dual airbags,
1.6-litre 16-valve four-cylinder

‘engine, and a T-top. The X90 is
based on the current Suzuki Sidekick
model, and as such, the Sidekick’s
basic character will probably carry

-over to the X90. This isn’t bad news,

Low-cost

From page 24

: driver’ S seat, power. windows ‘and

~ power door locks with a central
locking system, we!l-contoured front
sport seats covered in a sturdy cloth
material, and a good six-speaker .
AM/FM cassette system.

The 318ti’s interior is very
roonly for a rear-wheel-drive hatch-
back, particularly in the areaof = |
headroom. To help rear passengers
enter, both front seats pivot forwards

When the seatbacks are folded. I do

and neck adcpter and fester, :
3, Check crankcase and automatic transmis
* sion oll for, water content... ;
Tost coolant ‘thermostat’ with radiator
5, Check femperatura gauge for accuracy.
6. Drain system and flush till clear. °
: 7. Cloan foreign matter from radiator fins,
8. Tast radiator pressure cap with cap tester,
” 9. Check fan blades and Pulleys fs for align-
"ment and damage.

since the Sidekick’s strength his
been its robust capability ‘and tough
framework. Unfortunately. the X90
will also probably inherit Sidekick’s
vague steering and truck-like (trans-
lation: bumpy) ride.

Although no definite plans have
been made yet. Chrysler will also
bring out a small. affordable sport
utility within the next few years. The

_ American automaker showed a

glimpse of what this future model
may look like at the most recent
Detroit Auto Show. Dubbed the
Plymouth Back Pack, the funky,
emerald green utility vehicle looks
exciting, handsome, and trendy
enough to be seen in Vancouver's’
yuppiest areas, It boasts a functional
interior that includes a'driver’s seat
which can be quickly converted to
an office table. The cargo area can
also double as a pick-up truck bed,
and it includes a built-in bike rack.
The front-wheel-driven, four-cylin-,
der equipped Back Pack is really a
hybrid between an automobile and a
truck, and it appeals to the twenty-
and-thirty-something generation
looking for a vehicle that offers
charm and practicality.

At the other end of the spectrum,
General Motors has just introduced
the generous-sized Chevrolet Tahoe
and GMC Yukon four-door sporty .
utility. The pair. fits between the
slightly smaller Blazer/Jimmy 4X4s
and the much bigger, monstrous
Suburban sport utility. Equipped
with a proven, 200-hp 5.7-litre V-8,

_ the new Tahoe and Yukon, along

with the existing Suburban, carve a

eemer

have a criticism — the high rear-
deck makes it difficult to see where
you’re going when backing up. And
there are no rear head restraints.
The 318ti is available in three
trim levels. Base. Active and Sport,

“and fully equipped models top out °
_ in the mid $30,000 range. A four
‘ year/80,000 km warranty is stan-

dard.
This is a well- built, sporty ‘haiteh-
back that makes up in handling and

“road manners what it lacks in horse-

power.

19. Internal ‘and externa! inspection of alt
-, hoses for cracks and deterioration.
cre Refilt system with correct eoolarand om

-
DICK
j IRWIN <

slice of the market still largely.
untapped by other competitors. GM
has captured over 90% of the full-
size utility vehicle market, and the
two new models are only going to
increase that number. The $33,000-
to-$38.000 Tahoe and the Yukon
look very much like the Suburban,
but because it's 500 mm (20 in.)
shorter, the overall styling is much
less intimidating than the gigantic
Suburban.

On the road, the smaller size,

newly incorporated suspension
picces, and significantly stiffer body
transkate to a surprisingly capable
vehicle. In fact. the Tahoe and Yukon
are so quict and civilized on the
highway that you wonder if you are
really driving a three-ton truck.
Other upcoming sport milities in
the next 12 months include a four-
door Ford Bronco, a luxury sport
utility from Lexus, and an Isuzu
Trooper-bused vehicle from Acura
(which is not expected to come to

SERVICE & USED PARTS
(MECHANICAL & BODY PARTS)

92. TERCEL
_ Sport Coupe,
3 5 SPah low Kms.

490 COROLLA LE
1.8 litre; low kms.,

“air cond: *

94 CaMAY L L.E, 7
‘> Bal: of factory.:. -
warranty. 9°:

Only $23,895

“1 owner,
“immaculate

SG DTS A
pode 523

Canada),

So if you’re one of many sport
utility fans, you'll be happy to hear
that the selection j is only g going to get
better — at botl ends of the truck
market,

ANNOUNCEMENT

TANIA
HEIGHTON

Dick Irwin Chev Geo Olds
is pleased to announce that
another Great, Great Gal
has joined the Great, Great
Guys handling ali your
sales and leasing require-
ments on the North Shore.
Tania brings to us a wealth
of General Motors -experi-
ence and her own enthusi- |
asm and commitment to ”
customer satisfaction.

Call her at 98 7-5231

or drop in to sce her

a DICK IRWIN'GM
845 Marine Dr, N. Van: ;

91 SABLE S/W
"Leather, air cond.
and more.”

91 Toyota CRESSICA

Lecal_ one owner -