New GMC
Yukon delivers
lots of fun

Delivering uncommon fun
and utility for both on-road
and off-road buyers, GMC
unveils the 1992 Yukon, a to-
tally redesigned model to re-
place the popular full-size
GMC Jimmy.

Available as a four-wheel
drive model with a gross ve-
hicle weight rating of 2,835
kilograms (6,250 pounds),
the 1992 Yukon expresses it-
self richly and handsomely in
two trim levels — base SL
and uplevel SLE.

Yukon’s handsome new
shape begins with a 127 mm
(five-inch) longer wheelbase
and 76 mm (three-inch) addi-
tional overall length than
last year’s Jimmy.

With doors rounded into
the roofline, flush door han-
dies and glass surfaces and a
high-swept windshield, the
new Yukon design also great-
ly reduces wind noise for
smoother, quieter cruising.
An all-steel roof replaces the
fiberglass roof previously
used in the V-Jimmy, also re-
ducing wind noise. Added use
of sound insulation through-
out the cab area also helps re-
duce interior noise.

The all-new Yukon incor-
porates 30 per cent more
glass surface in its elegant
aerodynamic design. Tinted
glass is standard all around
and deep tinted rear glass is
available.

Base SL models feature
rectangular halogen head-
lamps, while SLE models are
distinguished by composite
halogen headlamps and a
chromed grille. Fog lamps
are available for added visi-
bility in inclement weather.

In back, Yukon has a stan-
dard two-piece lift-glass/tail-
gate.

Rear visibility during in-
clement weather is improved
by an available rear
wiper/washer system and
electric rear defogger. A roof-
mounted luggage carrier is
available for added utility.

Underneath, though,
Yukon exhibits the same
rugged chassis construction
for tough work and off-road
applications as its famous
predecessor — and then

some.
Yukon’s new, longer 2,832
mm (111.5-inch) wheelbase

An independent front driv-
ing axle uses both upper and
lower wishbone control arms
with torsion bar springs and
32 mm hydraulic deflected
disc shock absorbers. Com-
pared to virtually any other
4x4 utility, Yukon’s ride is so
smooth and controllable that
one can easily forget it is a
four-wheel drive vehicle.

For off-road buffs, Yukon is
available with a Z71 Off-
Road Equipment Package,
which includes front and rear
46mm high-pressure gas
shocks and a special engine,
front differential, transfer
case and fuel tank shields.

Sixteen-inch wheels and
all-season steel-belted radial
tires, with a tread pattern de-
signed specifically for this ve-
hicle, are standard. Yukon’s
standard full-size spare is
conveniently mounted inside
the rear cargo area.

An all-new frame design
provides increased rigidity
where needed with a welded
box section front end. New
body mounts have been
specifically designed for the
frequency and load of Yukon’s
new body, resulting in im-
proved road vibration isola-
tion and noise reduction.

Whether Yukon is pulling,
plowing, cruising or caravan-
ning, owners can look for-
ward to many years and
miles of reliable service
thanks to its extensive use of
galvanized steel on most
body panels.

Yukon’s trailering capacity
rating has been increased by
454 kilograms (1,000 pounds)
— up to 3,175 kilograms
(7,000 pounds) maximum
trailer weight.

For greater stopping pow-
er and control under any
load, Yukon features an ad-
vanced four-wheel anti-lock
brake system which operates
both in two- and four-wheel
drive.

What makes Yukon “go” 80
powerfully and efficiently is
an improved 5.7 -itre fuel-in-
jected V8 engine that delivers
210 horsepower and 300
pounds /foot of torque. This
sturdy engine has undergone
refinements to i

four-speed overdrive auto-
matic transmission opti

October 19, 1991

Cold temperatures can cut car battery output

When the first severe cold
wave arrives, you may discov-
er that your faithful old bat-
tery no longer has the power to
get your car started

A battery's output decreas-
es as temperature drops, 80 a
battery that was doing its job
during the summer months
may have only half of its out-

put when the thermometer
dips below freezing. Mean-
while, your cold engine may
need twice the starting power.

please see BATTERY page 6

WE STAND BEHIND
EVERYTHING WE

‘82 Mustang GT

Never seen winter! 5 L., 4-spd., new tires, air,

tilt, p.w., p.l., cass., @ real muscle care!
$6,495
A

sees

‘89: Chrys. Dynasty ‘78 Cherokee 4x4

wt. 11,495

wer

"84 Cherokee 4x4 ‘82 Honda Prelude

Jeep. Limited. 4-dr., auto., air, tilt, cruise,

cassette, p.w., p. locks. Immaculate.

*8,995

WEVER SEEN WINTER
‘87 Cadillac

Seville. 4-dr,, every available option. The
ultimate in the Cadillac line. Must be

‘seen to be appreciated.

1988 F150 4x4
Super Cab

302, auto... air conditioning,
full ear bench

11,995

1986 Pontiatc

Sunburst
4-door, 4-speed, 62,000 miles
Was $3,995 is

Rock Istanp

5-speed, sun rool, low miles, new tires

‘89 Camray

Toyota 4x4. 4 cyl, auto., 4 dr., 48,000
kms. Excellent winter vehicle.

13,995

1 jevy
Eurosport
6-cylinder, 6 passenger, air conditioning,
cassette, auto., extra clean. Great family cart

wet. *9,495

364-2323

), standard, 6-cylinder, Quadra Trax,

‘85 Buick Century .

Never Seen Winter! Onty 48,000 miles & every

‘option inc. power seat. Was $9,995

Morors

leDonald

J apanese like US. designers

Mazda Miata one of many
designed-in-U.S.A. cars

trendy-looking Nissan NX all have one
thing.in common: they were designed
in the U.S. design studios, not in
Japan.

More and more emphasis is being
placed on California design studios to
conceive and design a unique car that
bt aimed at the North American mar-

et,

Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Honda, Mit-
subishi and Subaru all have a design
studio on the west coast.

There, both U.S. and Japanese tal-
ent are pooled to create automobiles
that just cannot be conceived from de-
sign offices in Japan.

The bright sun, beach, palm trees
and abundance of unique and exotic
cars create an atmosphere in Califor-
nia that cannot be matched in the
crowded Japan.

‘ _ This “car-mania” environment stim-
ulates designers to be more innovative
and allows them to develop automo-
biles without the usual interruptions
from other engineering departments.

The popular and successful Mazda
Miata is one of the designed-in-U.S.A.
cars.

Baking
soda
cleanup

‘That familiar box of baki
soda that is so useful in your
house works wonders in the
car. Here are a few tips:

© Battery: To clean corro-
sion from the terminals with-

and apply petroleum jelly to
prevent corrosion. Be careful
when working around a bat-
tery; it contains a strong acid.

¢ Chrome bumpers and
trim: Remove road grime with
a baking soda solution. Sprin-
kle baking soda on a damp
sponge for extra tough spots.
Rinse with water and polish
with a soft cloth.

* Upholstery: Perk up
vinyl seats by wiping with a
baking soda solution (four ta-
blespoons baking soda to one
quart of water). Be sure to
rinse and wipe dry.

¢ Floor mats: Make floor
mats sparkle with a baking so-

The concept of designing a simple
yet fun-to-drive roadster was a joint ef-
fort between designers and product
planners, including Bob Hall and Mark
Jordan (son of chief designer, General
Motors).

Engineers in Japan then carefully
developed the design into a production
model without affecting the original
concept.

The recently introduced Lexus
SC400 has been getting much atten-
tion lately not only because of its ex-
cellent engineering, but also because
of the beautiful and innovative design
that conveys warmth, sportiness and
high technology, all wrapped up in a
“fluid” shape.

It was designed at Calty, Toyota’s
California design office. The SC400
was designed from a three-dimension-
al clay-filled balloon.

The balloon was shaped into a “flu-
id” shape then translated into a two-
dime: sketch.

process is unusual in that most

WINTER PREP

design works originate from two-di-
mensional sketches first.

As most people will agree, the result
is a striking and vivid design, especial-
ly when compared to the more conser-
vative, designed-in-Japan Lexus
LS400.

Because of the fact that designs
from California tend to be less conser-
vative and more aggressive, four-door
sedan models are often designed in
Japan.

Lexus LS400, Honda Accord and In-
finti A45 were designed by Japanese
designers to target conservative, often
family-oriented buyers who may not
desire a fancier style.

Show cars often displayed at inter-
national auto shows may have origi-
nated from California studios as well.

Nissan, for example, displayed a
cute and somewhat strange looking
pickup truck called Gobi last January
in Detroit.

The odd yet affectionate design was
conceived by imaginative designers in

(News file photo
Preparing your Car for winter means more than adding antifreeze. Brakes, tires, wheel alignment
and many other mechancal parts should also get the once over from a certified mechanic.

San Diego under Gerry Hirshberg, a
former GM designer.

Unique designs will not only come
from the U.S., however, since both Toy:
ota and Mazda have opened up design
centres in Europe.

The key to design is international
influence — design that can impress
consumers around the world.

With strong influences from the Cal-
ifornia studios, Japanese cars can no
longer be criticized for lack of design
appeal.

To further supplement these design
centres, many of the Japanese manu-
facturers have also set up engineering
centres in the U.S.

The Honda Accord station wagon,
for example, was engineered by Honda
engineering centre in Ohio.

Eventually, the American design
and engineering centres, combined
with already existing plants in the
US., will be capable of creating their
own cars without much help from over-
seas offices.

With many well-designed cars on
the market already from Japan, it will
be interesting to see how Americans
will further influence the automotive
trend through their Japanese-Ameri-
can hybrid centres.

Regular
care keeps
cars in top
condition

Shopping for a new car, van
or light truck has been a sec-
ondary consideration for mil-
lions-of motorists in recent
months.

Now, as winter sets in,
many owners will try to
squeeze a few more miles out
of their vehicles.

Vehicles with 160,000 or
more kilometres on them
aren't that uncommon.

Strétching the life ex-
pectancy of a vehicle’s appear-
ance to keep pace with — or
beyond — extended purchas-
ing plans (some now up to 60

months) can be achieved with
regular maintenance.

Winter months are espe-
cially tough on exterior and in-
terior components of vehicles
in almost every part of the
country.

There is the combination of
snow, salt and mud up north
plus high humidity and dam-
aging sun in coastal areas. In-
dustrial pollutants in some re-
gions only add to the problem.

Recommended is regular
winter maintenance to clear
clogged drain holes in doors,
quarter panels and fender
wells.

please see CARE page 8