day, June 25, 1993 ~ North Shore News - 35 OTIV AMES STUCK Northst r engine Iraws rave reviews GM deserves A+ for Cadillac's first all-new engine in more than a decade OVERDRIVE PERHAPS NO other engine in the world has received as much attention in recent months as Cadillac’s state-of-the-art, 32-valve Northstar V8 engine. It was introduced last fail in the Allante convertible, Eldorado Touring Coupe, and Seville Tour- ing Sedan (STS). And for good reasons. Even at engine speed as low as 1,000 rpm, the aluminum, 90- degree V8 workhorse produces a whopping 220 lb.-ft. of torque. Although only 40 horsepower is produced at this level, a slight stretch of your right foot quickly changes that aumber to 150 at 3,000 rpm, and a further push shoots the power curve all the way You've Now TOYOTA Regency Toyota (Burnaby) Inc. 4806 E. Hastings Street Burnaby. BC. 291-8122 toa chass-leading figure of 295 horsepower, squeezed out at 6,000 rpm. More importantly than the sheer amount of horsepower, however, is the amount of torque produced over the normal driving range, often described in the form ofa torque curve. A car which produces high horsepower means nothing if it cannot also pump out an equally balanced amount of torque throughout the car's speed of travel, from a standing start to full output acceleration. This is where the Cadillac’s first all-new engine in more than a de- cade shines. The torque starts off strong at 210 lb.-ft. just above the idling speed, and builds up quick- ly but uniformly to an impressive 290 lb.-ft. at 4,400 rpm. The redline is 6,500 rpm. The torque curve for this 4.6- litre unit stays extremely flat across the entire operating range — a character that’s considered very ideal. The excellent, usable power output becomes very apparent even after a short drive in one of the models offering the Northstar engine. A push on the gas pedal -- even when the car is just cruis- ing on overdrive — makes the rel- atively heavy Caddies suddenly lurch forward with ferocious power, pushing you and your pas- sengers against the seat. The Northstar-equipped Seville accelerates to 100 km/h in about seven seconds. No, this is definitely not your Photo submitted THE NOATHSTAR-equipped Seville STS accelerates to 100 km/h in about seven seconds. Definitely not your father’s Cadillac. father’s Cadillac. On the downside, the extremely peppy powertrain causes a slight torque steer at full throttle (a tendency for the steering wheel to pull towards one side), Unless you drive like a race car driver, how- ever, this shouldn’t bother you. After having an opportunity to evaluate both the Seville Touring 1own us by Sedan and the Eldorado Touring Coupe in the past months, ! came away completely astonished at the level of refinement and perfor- mance these vehicles now offer — at a price many luxury car makers cannot touch, I might add. For example, the Seville North- star model starts at a price just shy of $50,000, and goes up toa Ow us by one. Different companies. Different cars. One common goal. To provide you with the best service possible. Welcome to a new era in customer satisfaction. United by our Commitment to Service. a mid-$50,000 level by the time it is fully equipped. The Eldorado Touring Coupe is priced similarly. Except for the Lincoln Mark VII — a new model with an equally high-tech and powerful V8 engine nestled under the slick shape and priced around $50,000 See GM page 28 700 Block, Marine Drive _ North Vancouver, B.C, 967-4453 Dra? fe8] O} N79 7) , pam Samborghine Regency Honda Regency Toyota (Vancouver) Lamborghini of Vancouver * 401 Kingsway at t2th Avenue 1770 Burrard al 2nd Avenue 445 Kingsway near 12th Avenue 2148 Marine Drive 1177 Marine Dive 1160 Marine Drive 1770 Burrard at 2nd Avenue 390 Kingsway at 12th Avenue Vancouver, BC. 879-841! Vancouver, HC. 739-1212 Vancouver, B.C. 874-36% Noo Vancuuver, B.C. 985-0349 North Vancouver, BC 980-8501 North Vancouver, B.C. 985-9311 Vancouver. B.C. 739-1212. Vancouver, B.C. 893-6401 137 193) Desc D614 UT Do? . besove paso | ge nissan] "Regency infiniti ' Regency Ph ats chrysler nc Regent Nissan Qrsrais Regency Mazda