European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 30, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday August 30,1990 the stars and stripes a a a Pago 13 Row. Pm bravado sport Utility vehicle for j 991olds enters 4-wheel cml a Oldsmobile division which joined the minivan crowd this sear with its futuristic ally styled Sil Duette Model is now poised to enter the rapidly growing four wheel drive Market. For the 1991 Model year Oldsmobile will introduce the All new bravado sport Utility vehicle a four door machine that seats five people. Standard equipment includes a v-6 engine four Speed automatic transmission full time four wheel drive and anti lock brakes. The new vehicle provides a 35.2 cubic foot cargo capacity with full seating or 74,3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded Down. The preliminary rated towing capacity is 5,500 pounds. The roots of the Oldsmobile bravado lie in the Chevrolet s-10 Blazer and Gumc s-15 Jimmy models that have been on the Market for the past eight years but Oldsmobile says these designs have been thoroughly re engineered to meet the bravado applications. To accommodate the new four door bravado body style Oldsmobile says that wide ranging improvements have been applied to the Chassis powertrain Interior and exterior. The wheelbase has also been lengthened by 6.5 inches to 107 inches Overall. As Oldsmobile cars come in at the upscale Side in the pm series Range the bravado will get plenty of a a luxury touches even though it is a rugged veni cute that can go off Road when the occasion demands. But its off Road capabilities Are limited Oldsmobile Points out saying Quot it should be noted that the bravado is intended primarily for on Road operation. Ground clearance is 7.7 inches which is adequate however for limited off Road  in other words if you re looking for a m the new Oldsmobile bravado features full time All wheel drive. Genuine off Road vehicle the bravado does not fill that Bill. It is a luxury sports Utility vehicle with its full time All wheel drive arrangement More on the order of that used by Audi Quattro sedans for instance. The bravado a a 4.3-liter, fuel injection v-6 engine delivers 160 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 230 Pound it of torque at 2,800 rpm. Oldsmobile says the engine gives Strong acceleration with the Zero to 60 Mph figure pegged at about 12 seconds. The four Speed automatic transmission includes an overdrive top gear and an electronically controlled lockup torque converter. In the fuel rating department Epa tests put the figures at 17 mpg City and 22 mpg Highway. Between the Hydra Matic transmission and the four wheels the bravado has a special Borg Wamer Transfer Case that provides constant torque All wheel drive to each wheel. No special skill or action on the Drivers part is required to use this capability. The All wheel drive is permanently engaged and there Are no hubs to lock or levers to pull when going off Road. The combination of All wheel drive with the Standard Abs anti lock brakes constitutes what Oldsmobile Calls a ism Arttra a along with the features already noted Standard equipment includes Power steering air conditioning carpeting cruise control Power windows and locks Luggage Carrier Power rear View mirrors am a m stereo with cassette Alloy wheels and a lot More. The Price will be in the $20,000  Randy Barnett Auto columnist new Mercury tracer pitched to Young buyers by Jan a. Zverina Detroit up a Ford Hopes its new Mercury tracer will Appeal to younger buyers who have never even thought of entering a Lincoln Mercury showroom because they believe the division Sells Only big conservative luxury cars. The tracer is intended to change that thinking with Lincoln Mercury advertising that the tracer is a Small and economical car yet one that possesses plenty of Pep and Interior room. The tracer completely redesigned for 1991, is chiselled from the same piece As Fords new escort making them virtual twins under the skins. Both Are part of a $2 billion Effort under which Fords japanese affiliate Mazda furnished the front drive platforms and most of their running gear. Mazda now does much of the engineering work for All of Fords smaller cars the tracer and escort Are also charged with giving Ford a Broad sales base of Gas sipping cars to help it meet future fuel Economy Laws a primarily soft can go on Selling its larger More profitable but less fuel efficient models without penalty. The tracer is different from the escort in that it comes in a traditional four door Sedan although the similar Mazda protege shares that style As Well. The escort comes in either a three or five door Hatchback. Wagon models Are offered by both divisions. Prices Start at $8,969 for the base tracer Sedan and $9,99j for the Wagon Standard features include a domestically the tracer its version is powered by a 1.8-liter engine of 127 he. Made 1.9-liter, four Cylinder engine that delivers 88 horsepower at 4,400 rpm a 5-Speed manual transaxle Power disc brakes tinted Glass am pm stereo and a split folding rear seat. The fancier and More powerful tracer its Sedan starts at $11,219, although the test its Model evaluated for this review Cost an Eye popping $14,248, counting a $355 destination fee and nearly $2,700 Worth of extras Many expected to be widely ordered. Powering every tracer its is a 1.8-liter, 16-valve four Cylinder engine generating 127 he at 6,500 rpm. Unlike the Standard 1.9-liter version this engine is a Mazda motor made in Japan. All its models also have cruise control adjustable steering wheel am pm stereo w Ith tape cassette and electric mirrors. Four wheel disc brakes larger p185-60r radial tires on 14-Inch Alloy wheels sports suspension and front and rear air dams Are also Standard. A four Speed automatic transaxle with overdrive $732air conditioning $744electric Sunroof $549power windows $306power door locks $205 and upgraded stereo $138 were among the extra Cost options on the test car Drivers face a softly sculpted dashboard similar to that of the escort. Instrumentation is simple and legible a 120 Mph speedometer and tachometer with smaller gauges for the temperature and fuel to their left. Signal stalks operate the wipers and lights with a twist and Are easily at hand. Other conveniences abound like a removable cup and Coin Holder in the console map pockets in the front doors and a height adjustment for the Driver s seat. Head and legroom Are generous up front and either two adults or three children will find comfortable accommodations in the rear. The 2,360-Pound tracer its is an impressive performer either on the freeway or a two Lane twister its platform made even More capable by its sports suspension and rear disc brakes. Its 1.8-liter, 16-valve engine provides ample Power and response under All conditions White returning Between 23 and 30 mpg when coupled with the automatic transaxle. While the tracer its is an extremely capable and efficient performer there Are some shortcomings. While its exterior is expensive looking for a Small Sedan its Interior does not give the same impression. The hard plastic window Sills and extensive use of grained Vinyl throughout its Cabin gives it a cheap feel and look. The test Model had a near perfect exterior fit and finish. But surprisingly it was plagued with a cacophony of Interior rattles. Also annoying was a Strong reverberation from its engine at Idle when the air conditioner was on. Ford Hopes to sell Between 70,000 and 100,000 Mercury tracers each year or about a Quarter of what it Hopes its High volume escort will sell. Ford insists these two cars Are not competitors because the escort should Appeal to a younger and less affluent crowd. But buyers Are advised to compare the escort unless one is set on a traditional Sedan style. Even then the Mazda protege should also be considered. Folt detail on Tai tracer and Ford a Cort car pm Ial  Price  Coyer May comma fora rear err if a a i us cafes new car a Points on tee Vark i cute in Europe