European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 13, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 10 the stars and stripes automotive monday june 13,1994 general motors corp. Recalled about 249,000 1991 and �?T92--Tnodel Chevrolet Samaros and Pontiac firebirds on june 6 to inspect fuel filler necks for defective soldering. The automaker said cracks and pinhole sized leaks have been found m some of the cars pm said the problem has not caused any injuries accidents or fires. The soldering problem was first spotted by the National Highway traffic safety administration pm spokesman Greg Pierce said the Nitsa probe prompted the company to begin a Field analysis which cd to the recall. A Only a Small percentage of the cars arc thought to have the defective solder on the Metal neck but Pierce said the company wanted to play it Safe by recalling All Samaros and firebirds built during those two years. Owners soon will get letters from the automaker. They will be advised to return cars to their dealers for inspections of the solder joint where the filler neck and fuel tank come together. If a crack or pinhole is detected pm said the entire fuel tank Assembly will be replaced at no charge to owners. A the Federal government is investigating inadvertent inflation of air bags in some Volvo. The National Highway traffic safety administration said there have been 17 complaints of air bags deploying without a collision in 199093 Volvo models. The air bag opened when the Driver started the engine in at least nine of the 17 incidents and 10 incidents involved an injury the Agency said. About 268,479 of the Volvo Are on the Road. The Agency also opened an investigation into reported loss of Power steering in 1992-93 Ford Crown Victorias and is looking into six complaints of under dash fires in 1986-88 Ford of series pickup trucks. A # a study released  estimates that even with emissions from Power plants Likely to be used in recharging electric vehicles Battery powered transportation would be cleaner than gasoline fuelled vehicles. The environmental defense fund and the natural resources defense Council report said los Angeles cannot achieve clean air by relying solely on Tow emission gasoline vehicles. The study estimating the air emissions reductions from Battery powered vehicles finds that on a per mile basis electric vehicles in los Angeles would be cleaner than Low emitting gasoline powered vehicles required to be on the Road within the next decade. A each electric vehicle in los Angeles would contribute 49 to 66 percent less Carbon dioxide per mile than a gasoline powered counterpart a said Francis Chapman an Energy analyst with the environmental defense fund. A by switching from gasoline to electricity As a transportation fuel los Angeles could reduce its in Basin emissions of smog causing pollutants from cars and Light trucks by Over 90  the future course of californians Enki key Industry must be carefully cons Jerud since the air emissions of electric vehicles Are entirely dependent on the Power source use to recharge their batteries Chapman said. A from u ire reports shades of controversy some state Laws mean curtains for tinted windows by governing Magazine these Days it is becoming More and More difficult to feel like a celebrity. It used to be that people in a car could isolate themselves behind dark window tinting just like movie stars. But now several states arc limiting the shading of windows on automobiles. Connecticut Virginia Louisiana and Nevada Are among the most recent states to order Drivers to lighten up. Police Are hearing complaints from residents who say the new Laws will Only make life More uncomfortable for the Law abiding. But Law enforcement officers say tinted windows pose a safety risk to police officers if they cannot see who a or what a is inside a car. Although regulation of tinting is not new states Are changing their Laws now because of a device that can instantly determine whether a cards windows exceed Legal limits. Hand held meters that measure a windows opacity Cost Only about $150, and their readings have stood up in court. A in the past you Only had subjective ways to measure a said Darrell Smith legislative head for the International window film association a Trade group. A now the Laws Are  the Laws still ban tinting on windshields although Drivers can take cover in a strip of film across the top of the Windshield. The Laws typically allow front Side window tinting that blocks out Only 65 percent of the Light. Rear windows can be tinted a bit Darker. California takes the toughest line prohibiting any tinting of front Side windows. Some states Are phasing in their new Laws to minimize the Impact on residents in those states police can Issue a citation Only if the Driver cannot prove the tinting pc dated the Law. Distributed by scrupps Howard nows service a to i m or it k it a c Vav v it to t % v a tax pc y Audi the 1994 Audi Cabriolet offers a sporty look and a taste of luxury but it lacks both the zip of other convertibles and Many of the gadgets luxury ear Drivers have come to expect. Audi Cabriolet convertible offers too Little dash for too much Cash by Tom Incantalupo new Day if you re going to spend $40,000 for a car you want it to stand out from the automotive crowd to be luxurious and to offer above average performance right would you Settle for two out of three if not audits newest Model and its first Ever convertible might leave you less than completely satisfied. Yes it stands out from the pack a and Likely will continue to do so since Audi plans to import Only 1,300 a year. It is luxurious though in a european Way. Those of you accustomed to a or should we say a spoiled by a american luxury cars might be surprised by the absence of Power seats and a height adjustable steering wheel. The Drivers seat is height adjustable but it works manually requiring undignified bouncing and lurching to raise it or lower it. And its not nearly As versatile As most Power scats. Performance Well the Cabriolet handles almost As Well As any Audi with a feeling of stability and Security that is Standard in everything this German manufacturer produces. But acceleration is not its Strong suit 0 to 60 takes 10.3 seconds. That a too Little dash for too much Cash. Blame some of that on the convertibles 300 pounds of extra weight is. A 90 Sedan which has the same engine. Blame it also on the automatic transmission the Only one available in this Model. Mileage is pretty Good though for. A luxury car. If you were a european paying s3 or $4 a gallon to put Premium gasoline into your Audi Cabriolet you would probably applaud audits Choice of an engine. But Here in America its tougher to justify the cabrio when you compare it with other convertibles. A Chevrolet Ca Maro z-2s costs $15,000 less and is More fun to drive. Gotta have a european car a Bow 325i Cabriolet will blow this audits doors off for about the same Money. Except that its rear window is fuzzy plastic instead of Glass the Audi meets the criteria for a Well built convertible. Chassis reinforcement for a solid ride Check. Well sealed against noise water and wind Roger. Easy to operate Power assisted top with no hassle Boot yep just turn the to handle to release the top press a Button on the console and the car does the rest. Air conditioning Standard. Leather upholstery no charge. Wind screen to shelter rear sealers from wind buffeting $370. Rear seat too cramped and trunk too Small to take annoying relatives along on trips heh heh heh said an avid Audi fan of our acquaintance who had been thinking of replacing his Coupe with a Cabriolet a a in a disappointed particularly at that  frankly so Are we