AUTOMOTI

AS TT

THE NAME Bonneville
first appeared in 1957, and
this enduring, full-size Pon-
tiac sedan has been updated
nine times since then.

For 1992, the Bonneville re-
mains front-wheel-drive with a
transversely-mounted V6 engine,
but the exterior and interior styl-
ing have undergone a dramatic
transformation, and a new super-

a3

Pontiac Bonneville
New styling makes a bold statement

charged V6 engine has been added
to the SSEi model.

It may be an understatement to
say that the new styling is a
departure from the conservative
look of previous models. The 1992
Bonneville’s bold, aggressive ap-
pearance turns heads in a way that
is usually reserved for Firebirds.

The new styling is highlighted
by large one-piece halogen
headlamps and separate fog lamps
mounted into the bumper. The

hood has a subtle but muscular
V-shaped crease and the rear deck
is now short and high with a new
bumper-level trunklid for easier
loading. The rear side-window has
a distinct curve, reminiscent of
BMW, and there is a definite
rounded look to the whole car.

The performance-oriented SSE
and SSEi models add a_ rear
spoiler, ribbed side mouldings,
twin fog lamps mounted closer
together in the centre of the

bumper. Personally,°I prefer the
cleaner, unspoiled appearance of
the standard SE model.

The front fenders, by the way,
are now made of a rustproof,
dentproof plastic material. Many
General Motors cars are using
plastic body panels because of the
lighter weight and corrosion
resistance, and this trend is likely
to accelerate in the future.

The SSEi is the technical
showpiece of the Bonneville line,
and its new supercharged
overhead valve 3.8 litre V6 engine
develops 205 horsepower and a
prodigious amount of torque.

The SSEi’s aggressive
bodywork, mono-color paint
scheme, head-up instrument
display, and standard ABS anti-
lock brakes, traction control and
electronic ride control contribute

THE °92 Bonneville’s familiar
3.8-litre V6 engine and four-
speed automatic transmission
offer traditional, smooth,
flawless performance.

Technical data

Price as tested (SE) $26,855
Base price (SE) $22,898 (in-
cludes freight)

Type five-passenger, four-door
sedan

Engine 3800 cc OHV V6, se-
quential port fuel injection
Transmission four-speed
automatic with overdrive
Horsepower 170 @ 4800 rpm
Curb weight 1636 kz/3607 Ibs.
Wheelbase 2814 mm/110.8 in.

Photos submitted

Greg
Wilson

TEST DRIVE

to improved acceleration, braking,
handling and looks. However, the
high-profile SSEi is priced in the
mid $30,000 range and is more of
an image-leader than a best-seller.
The ‘bread and butter’? Bon-

See Bonneville's page 30

Length 5077 mm/199.9 in.
Width 1880 mm/74.0 in.

Height 1410 mm/55.5 in.

Tires P225/60R-16 all-season
radials

Trunk space 510 litres/18.0 cu.
ft.

Fuel economy City 13.5 1/100
kms, 21 mpg. Hwy 8.3 1/100
«ms, 34 mpg.

Warranty 3 yrs/60,000 kms (no
deductible)