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TEST DAIVE

“PERFORMANCE” IS not yet a dirty word, but the trend to conserve fuel and reduce automobile pollution has led many people to view performance cars as anti- social, overpowered, gas- guzzling polluters.

As emissions standards get tighter and gasoline gets more ex- pensive, this negative image is likely to intensify. Still, many car manufacturers continue to build performance cars with more cubic inches, add-on superchargers and turbochargers, and greater vehicle weight.

These cars are likely to disap- pear overnight if there’s another sudden world oi! shortage, and will eventually be forced out of production when federal and pro- vincial governments impose Stricter fuel economy regulations, more taxes, and tough emissions standards.

To avoid the possibility of ex- tinction, some vehicle manufac- turers are exploring different ap- proaches to performance.

A quick look at the Honda Civic Si hatchback, EX-V sedan, and Civic Del Sol reveals Honda's technology prowess in providing performance, fuel economy and low vehicle emissions in one package.

The new Honda Prelude SR-V is the most technologically ad- anced of Honda’s environmental: ly friendly performance cars.

You have to look past the fact that the SR-V is the top-of-the- line Prefude. For a base price of $26,995, it comes with standard driver and = passenger airbags, five-speed manual transmission (no automatic is offered), speed- rated §205/55R15 VA Michelin NGT all-season radials mounted on spoked alloy wheels. four. wheel dise brakes with ABS, rear spoiler, heated sport seats and mirrors. You can alo order op- tions such as a security system, fog lights and even gold-plated car emblems.

But, it’s the SR-V’s engine chat deserves most of the attention.

The 2.2-litre four-evlinder powerplant develops 190 burse- power — a lot of power for a small engine. The dual-overhead cam powerplant is a high revver, developing peak power at 6.800 rpm compared to $5,800 rpm for the SR's 2.3-Htre engine,

The Vin’ SR-Vo stands for VTEC ~— variable valve timing and lift electronic control -- a

twehnology developed for the Acura NSX.

Essentially, VTEC allows the engine to breathe in a more flexi- ble manner. The dual overhead cam design uses the VPFEC system to precisely control the engine's 16 valves to maximize iow-speed torque and high-rpin horsepower.

In day-to-day use, this means you can do things that you nor- tially can’t do in most four- bangers: such as cruise along on the flat in fifth gear at 1,000 rpm and be able to accelerate away without gearing down,

With so much torque avaikible at low revs, it's possible to save fuel by driving ina higher vear, say third or fourth, in city: driv. ing.

At the opposite end of the per- farmance seale, the 2.2-fitre engine revs cleanly and noisily up

to $100 rpm and then shows an additional burst of power at about 5.200 rpm. While this is nota practical engine speed to reach during ordinary driving, it can be useful during passing.

The sophisticated four-eylinder engine also utilizes balance shatts to reduce vibration, high-pressure die-cast aluminum allay engine block with fibre-reinforeed metal cylinder walls, two-stage intake system and a Knock sensor.

Atl chis adds up ta an. engine that squeezes the maximum amount of performance out of a sinall, relatively fuel-efficient engine, Combined highway ‘city fuel consumption is 9.7 lit per 100 Kilometres (29 mpg), aecerd-

rei on CON os MAY ae a

ny et SRS

possible to save fuel by using a higher gear in the city.

ing to Transport Canada figures, but L.think this figure could be improved with proper driving techniques. The SR-¥ sprung than

feels more stiffly the 4WS, SRoand base Preludes, and the ride is harsh over busnpy sections — especially Chose gaps between con- crete road sections,

But the handling, dike all Preludes.is That and neuteal. With its quick sivering, slick five-speed gearbox, supportive sports seats, and good brikes, the SR-V is a lot of tun to drive, However, rear three-quarter vision can be obscured by the headrest on tie

and the excep- rear deck with vision is) eN-

seat, high Forward

passenger fonally spoiler. cellent.

The divided rear seats have very little legroom and the Prelude should be considered a two-seater with ovcasional passenger room. There is a trunk-thru feature for loug objects,

My test car still bad the con- troversial luminescent coolant and fuel gauges in the -centre dash area, but rumor is dnis feature will be discontinued.

Hf the challenge of the "90s is to build an easciting car that doesn’t waste or pollute as muck, the new

NEWS photos Neil Lucente

THE HONDA Prelude SR-V is a high-performance coupe that offers 190 horsepower from just 7.2 litres of four-cylinder engine.

Base price $26,995 Type Two-door, passenger coupe Layout transverse engine/front-wheel drive Engine 2.2-litre four. eylinder, DOHC, 16) valves, balance shafts, mitlti-point fuel injection

Horsepower 190 @ 6,800 rpm Yorgue 158 tbs.-f @ $500 rpm Transmission manual Curb weight Ibs. Wheelbase in, Length 4.440 mim/17-408 in. Width 1,765 mms 69,5 in. Height 1,290 mm/350.8 in. Tires Michelin XGT-V4 205/355 RIS

Fuel economy City 10.9) L/ (00 kin; 26 mpg Fwy 8.5 L/ 400 king 33 mpe.

Warranty Three yrs/60,000 km Major Components Five yrs 100,000 kin

four-

front

Five-speed $,330 kg/2,932

2,550 mim/t00.4

Honda Pucilic Dr.,

about the Prefude SR-V oat Honda, 725 Marine Nerth Vancouver.

inquire

Prelude SR-¥V is an important step i that direction,

The SR-V will outperform cars with engines twice its size,

rr RR er re