From page 30

The new 5.7-litre LS} V8
engine has plenty of power
and torque, and emits copious
amounts of roaring, sporty
sounds and vibrations. Bur on
the highway, the big V8
engine loats along quietly at
just 1600 r.p.m. in top gear at
100 km-h, with enough low-
end torque to pull away in
fifth gear.

The Trans Am’s ride is firm
and sometimes harsh, and
handling is excellent on
smooth roads, but bumps
tend to destabilize the car's
directional stability because of
its sold rear axle.

At 1625 kg, the Trans Am
is heavy for a sports car so it

“doesn’t feel nimble or agile.
However, it’s cornering and
“braking limits are high, asd
the engine is very versatile at

north shore news

0)

UTO

rr rr

New 9./-litre engine roars

=

Photo submitted

THE most obvious change on the restyled 1988 Trans
Am convertible is a huge trunk-mounted spoiler.

low or high speeds.

My convertible Trans Am
had a standard power top. To
lower it, the driver first releas-
es two latches on the wind-
shield header, then pushes a
button which does the rest. A
tonneau cover is available to
cover the folded top in the

down position.

At 100 km-h on the high-
way, there is very little wind
bufteting or wind noise with
the cop down, a pleasant sur-
prise. I credit the Trans Am's
severely raked windscreen
which aliows air to pass right
over top of the passenger

compartment.

With the top up, the Trans
Am is quiet enough for a con-
versation, but there is a blind
spot at the right rear quarter
when changing Janes. For
safety, it would be nice to see a
roil-over bar or roll, hoops
available.

The Trans Am’s four pas-
senger interior is comfortable
for front occupants, although
they sit rather low. The small
rear bucket seats are uncom-
fortable and difficulr to get
into.

The trunk is relatively
small, and the trunk lid is
heavy to lift and the liftever
height is rather high.

But hey, this is a sports car,
and it’s not designed ta be
practical. And tor the money,
there aren’t many sports cars
that can match the Trans Am’s
power and list of standard tea-
tures. Trans Arn Coupes start

Friday, March 20, {998 — North Shore News - 31

Complete Mechanical
Repairs & Service

} 183 Pemberton Ave. TALKING

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Base models with a V6 engine
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Pontiac Firebird Trans Am convertible technical data

Curb weight: 1625 kg (3582 Ib.}
Wheelbase: 2566 mm (101.1 in.)

Length: 491? mm (193.3 in.)

Width: 1890 mm (74.4 in.)

Height: 1321 mm (52.0 in.)

Trunk: 215 litres (7.6 cu. fi.)

Fuel consumption: City — 14.0 1/100 km
(20 mpg.) Hwy — 8.3 1/100 km (34 !

m.P.g.)
Warranty: three years/60,006 kms

Base price: $39,540

Type: two-door, four-passenger convertible
sports car

Layout: longitudinal front engine /rear-
wheel-drive

Engine: 5.7 litre V8

Horsepower: 200 @ 5200 r.p.m.

_ Torque: 225 ft.-lb. @ 4000 r.p.m

. Transmission: six-speed manual ( four-speed
automatic)

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