AUTOMOTIVE
Redesign reduces interior noise

From page 23
manual transmission.

The final choice is a_ 160-
horsepower’ 3.3-litre V6 engine
available as an option on the SE
and GT. This engine has con-
siderably more low-end torque
than the other engines but fuel
economy is worse. It is available
only with an automatic transmis-
sion. (1 hope you've got all that,
because there will be a test later.)

My test car, an SE coupe, had
the optional 3.3-litre V6 engine
coupled to the optional three-
speed automatic transmission.
With its compact dimensions,
good outward visibility, smooth
V6 powertrain, and light-feeling
power steering, the Grand Am is
quite a pleasant car for shuttling
about town.

[t’s also very quiet at highway
speeds on smooth pavement;
however, its suspension doesn’t
absorb concrete ribs or raised
highway markers very well. Road
and suspension noises tend to in-
trude into the cabin on bumpy or
rough roads. The powertrain,
however, is fairly quiet.

Interior room is more than
adequate for four or five people.
Thankfully, there is no tack of
tear headroom, a common com-
plaint with many two-door
coupes.

The front reclining bucket seats
offer good support and proved
reasonably comfortable on a long
drive, but the rear bench seatback
is tco upright and stiff for a long
trip. The tear seatback will fold

Next week
Greg Wilson
test drives
the 1992

forward for access to the trunk, a
very handy feature for storing
tong or bulky objects.

A. simple instrument
including a ftarge, round
speedometer, fuel gauge, and
coolant temperature gauge, is
clearly visible through the steering
wheel.

display,

Both the stereo and rotary
heaters and ventilation controls
are within easy reach of the right
hand; however, the stereo has
some very small pushbuttons
which are not well marked.

My biggest complaint with the
Grand Am’s interior is the quality
of the materials.

bmitted

BCTV WEATHERMAN Norm Grohman (left) was at North Van’s
Hollyburn Hyundai recently to hand over the keys of a new
Hyundai Excel to Sue and Roy Dombrewski. The couple wan
the vehicle in a magazine promotion.

“DECODUCK”
CHILDREN’S DUCK PAINTING
WORKSHOP

Saturday, March 7 and Saturday, March 14
11 am to 3 pm

Sponsored by

ART GECKO and
PARK ROYAL SHOPPING CENTRE

Park Royal South, 2nd level

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a

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