European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - March 26, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday March 26, 1987 the stars and stripes Page 13 Fiero s performance measures up b/jana.zver1naunmed press International after three Model years Pontiac s hero Plas Ticar has finally gotten some deserved changes. When Pontiac s Nind in inc two seater was introduced in 1984, it won High Praise because of its novel construction a Skeleton like Frame covered by flexible plastic panels. This made it possible to change the Fiero s appearance without much fuss and thai is exactly what Pon Lac did lost year when its gave its Ficro it a new Fastback profile the big news for 1987 is under the Fiero s skin where improvements have been sorely needed to bring its performance up to Par with its Sharp looks. In v-6 models a German a crag five Speed manual transmission replaces the Isuzu four Speed unit from Japan. The latter had All the High tech feel of a worn out video game Joystick and could be shifted into reverse easily. The Guirag Gearbox is now available on almost All Standard shift 1987 pm cars. The unit shifts crisply and does away with errant gear grinds. An Isuzu five Speed continues to be offered in All  micros. Fuel Economy is slightly improved through belter rear Axle ratios for Ficro with the optional three Speed automatic available on All models. All micros also will go further because their fuel tanks have been Entaro Ned to hold 12 Gallons instead of the previous 10. As before two engines Are offered a 2.5 liter four Cylinder or a 2,8 liter v-6.a computer controlled ignition has been added to the four Cylinder. Changes in the intake system have re Vised the four Cylinder horsepower from 92 at 4,400 rpm to 98 he at 4,800 rpm. Epa ratings with the five Speed arc 25 Pont lae has reworked its Fiero it for 1987, giving it the performance to complement its sleek powerful Appun incr. Fro photo mpg City 35 mpg Highway. Attic v-6 is now rated at 135 he at4,500 rpm instead of 140 he at 5,200, mileage with the new five Speed is 18 mpg City 28 mpg Highway. All else remains the same except for some Nice reworking of the plastic bump ers on the base Fiero Model giving it a wider Corvette like look. A metallic Burgandy is new for 1987, carryover Colon Are Gold Silver and Lack. Pontiac now is Able to build the Fiero in just four colors but some changes arc anticipated later in the year. The Fiero is offered in four models. Stateside list prices Are base Coupe,$8,619 sports Coupe s 10,309 be $ll,559and v-6 it $13,809, the Fiero evaluated was a sports Coupe powered by the 2.5-liter engine with the five Speed manual transmission it Cost si2,740 after a $120 destination charge. Major options included air conditioning $775 am pm stereo $639 aluminium Alloy wheels $225 and Power windows $210. Despite the changes however the Fiero continues to have some rather annoying traits. The front suspension an steering Are still archaic. Pm raided the parts bins of its older  cars for the Fiero and one can feel it. Bumps Are i redly telegraphed into the Driver s hands via Itie sleeting wheel. The manual steering on All Fieros make sparking an Arm Buster but gives it a responsive feel at Speed. Power with die upgraded drive train is adequate and braking and handling refine for its 2,550-Poiind class. The Fiero s Interior has never been a fun place to spend a Long time and entering or exiting is even less fun because of the car s Low stance. All controls arc handily placed but some instrumentation is blocked when the lilt steering is lowered. Noise from the engine placed directly behind the scats is at a minimum. Storage space is at a Premium. The spare lire Radiator and assorted components make the front compartment use less. The trunk is a deep Oblong Well with a capacity of less than 6 cubic feel fit and finish on the Fiero evaluated was lacking in some areas. A number of Interior parts did not fit Well and the multifunction signal Slack fell off with Only 600 Miles on the odometer. Thereat deck lid was noticeably misaligned and the Driver s scat was Creaky. On the plus Side it had a flawless paint Job like other pm cars the Ficro boasts six year 60,000-Milc warranty. Improvements arc slow but steady As the Ficro enters its fourth year. Pontiac must still rework some key areas like the suspension if it wants this car to play with the likes of Toyota s mr2. Word has it Pontiac will do just that in s3. Complain informal pm on the a online Furo a Iva Naci from Gedwil Mol Ort lop Ewin Laws i awes new car h Bonneville sports new look for 30th year  United press International the Bonn Cuilte Long one of Detroit most famous name plates celebrates its 30th birthday in 1987 by becoming a Ralh exchanged Chipola new Block. The new Block is pm s line of front who Corive full size sedans introduced last year by its Buick and Oldsmobile Divi Sions. The Chip is what Pontiac has done with its version Pontiac has had More time to think about its Model which shares the Sam general roof line and drive train with its pm sister cars the Buick be Sabre and Oldsmobile Delia 88. Pontiac has done an admirable Job of realign car that seems different from the cookie Cutter styling approach pm has been accused of lately. And Pontiac claims the design took Only 11 weeks from concept to realisation. One would be hard pressed to identify the new Bonneville with almost any of therm car because of its Low nose wrap around front tights and aggressive stance in fact. Pontiac is so proud of its new design that it has targeted the Bonne Villa once a lumbering mad yacht against imports like the Audi sows by w528e and the Volvo 7400le. It also has been commissioned to try to Dent the Strong sales of the Ford s Taurus and Sable models one might charge Pontiac with just a bit of me too styling when the dashboards of the Bonneville and Taurus Are compared the round dials ensconced in a rounded instrument panel and acres of Glossy fake Wood. The pods on inc inside of the doors that House the armrest and window con these Model above and the Basic Bonneville stand out in Detroit s crowd. Irons Are also suspiciously Taurus like. Despite its Sharp looks the Bonneville s drive train and underpinnings mostly come from pm s common parts bin. On can order any engine and transmission As Long As it s of s corporate Iso horse Power 3.8 liter v-6 and a four Speed Auto Matic with overdrive Epa ratings arc is mpg City. 27 mpg Highway. The Power disc brakes in front an Drums in the rear As Well As Ilie Independent suspension arc the same As the other pm a cars. The exhaust system like most new g m cars is stainless steel. Three models Are offered All four door sedans the base Bonneville begins at $ 11,399 in the slates the More luxurious be starts Al $ 14,866, and inc sporty seat $15,806. Air conditioning and tinted win Dows arc Standard on All models. Two Bonnet dues were evaluated an be costing $18,387 and an be costing $18,252, both with a Long list of Comfort and convenience options added. On the Road these s ride is a bit harsher but handling and steering is More responsive on winding roads. Pontiac has tuned its engine to sound a sportier note through its dual tipped exhaust Pic pc but it comes off sounding cheap for a big  and has an annoying drone. The drone also unexpectedly rises and Lowers in pitch As the transmission slips in and out of its overdrive Mode at Highway speeds. The be without the y99 suspension option that is Standard on these rides much More smoothly and has a quiet engine. Steering and handling is not As Crisp but Many buyers May prefer this version Overall. Another minor annoyance on All Bonne Villes is the piercing beep that sounds Ever time the engine is started. It indicates that All systems Are working. Both models had a Pontiac exclusive asic co radio with All vital controls placed in the Center of inc steering wheel As Well As on the dash. At $ 1.053 Fonde ton line am pm stereo cassette package it is convenient but Don t attempt to turn the car and  the same time. Both models evaluated had minor flaw s in Quality some poorly filling Interior pans an upside Down speaker Emblem none Model and a shift indicator that rubbed on the inside of the Clear plastic instrument covering. The Bonneville for 1987 is a far cry from the first limited edition the 1957 Bonne Villa convertible thai stunned the Industry with its flashy design. But it is once again i on Iii s flagship car and an Autu Mohile suited to today s needs ample Power fuel efficiency an space wrapped into a Simn package. 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