AS much fun as the
BMW Z3 1.9-litre is to
drive, its four-cylinder
- engine isn’t a match for
“the more powerful six
cylinder Porsche
Boxster and super-
charged four cylinder
Mercedes-Benz SLK.

. In fact, a peppy Honda
“. .Civie will outdrag a Z3 1.9 in
~>. a'straight line.

‘Of course, the four-cylin-

der Z3 was never intended t

“compete with its more power-

rman rivals. The Z3 1.9

“is BMW's “entry-level” sports ”

» car —ahigh-erd, Teutonic
alternative co a Mazda Miata.
. The new six-cylinder Z3
2 ‘the Boxster/SLK’s

ch lletiger. With a 189 horse- -

: power 2.8-liter dual overhead
. cam, 24 valve inline six-cylin-.
der. engine borrowed from
the 3281; the Z3 2.8 has the
testerostosone to compete
with the 185 horsepower SLK

north shore news

> AUTO

THE 1997 BMW Z3 2.8 has a 189 horsepower 2.8-litre in-line six-cylinder engine, the same engine used In the’326l sedan. The
der Z3 2.8 features a fully independent suspension, four wheel disc brakes with ABS, a leather interior, and low profile 225/50ZR-16 in
radiais. Price is $49,900. Test drive the new Z3 at Park Shore Motors at 1500 Feil Ave., Northt Vancouver (985-9384). i

and 201 horsepower Boxster.
In addition to the bigger
six-cylinder engine, the Z3

~ 2.8 has wider 225/50ZR-16

inch high-performance radial
tires, wider five-spoke alloy
wheels, fatter fender flares to

accommodate their width,
and a better-equipped interior
that includes available wood-
grain trim.

Though the six-cylinder
Z3 2.8 weighs 82 kilograms
(180 Ib.) more than its four-

1997 BMW Z3 2.8 technical data

? Layout: longitudinal f
engine /rear-wheel-drive

Engine: 2.9-litre inline six-
cylinder, DOHC, 24 valves
Horsepower: 189 @ 5300

] npn: .
. Torque::203 @ 3950 r.p.m.
Tires: 205/50ZR-16 .

Curb weight: 1302 kg
{2870 Ib.)

Fuel consumption: City —
12.3 1/100 km (23 m.p.g.);
Hwy — 8.7 1/100 km (32

cylinder sibling, it accelerates
from zero to 100 km-bh in
under seven seconds, more
than two seconds faster than
the four-cylinder Z3, and a
tad slower than the Boxster
and SLK.

The six-cylinder engine has
much more low and mid-
range torque than the four
cylinder engine, so the driver
doesn’t have to keep working
the gear lever and winding
the engine up to its maximum
revs to extract performance.
This translates into an easier,
more enjoyable, and safer dri-
ving experience — particularly

Exclusively at

Regency Nissan

Featuring air —
conditioning,
power. locks,
windows, am/fm
cassette, cruise,
60/40 split fold
down rear seat.

First car in

Canada to use

. Generation il de-
powered air bags.
Refined 2.4 litre,

150 h.p.

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION ‘97 CLEAROUT |
‘97 NISSAN HARDBODY,

‘97 QUEST XE
ce

; “viauhe?
i EX
~<
REGENCY
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featuring & 3.0 litte VE engine © 4

speed automatic transmission
with ower drive © 4 :vheel ABS +
ait conditioning * dual air bags

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accessories including windows &
Jocks © heated mirrors remote

Regency Nissan

when you're trying to merge
in front of a semi-traiier on a
freeway entrance ramp. Ina
small car like this, power
means safety.

The sound of the six-cylin-
der engine, however, is muted
and less-than-exciting for 2 ©

SERVICE LYD. ;.

performance car with sus
aggressive looks. It doesn't. _
compare to the sweet sound ~.
of the Boxster’s flat six, but is
more melodious than the. **
harsh sound of the SLK’s ~

See Bimmer page 28 os

7AYLORMOTS Ss"
B.

AirCare - Gov.

v
CAs

TUNE-UPS ~ FUEL SYSTEMS - ELECTRICAL aioe races

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~

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ISSAN