WHITIy fl EpRE&ýWEffSD4y, APlUL 24.,»9DPAGE 23 Plymouth Voyager: The va-nthat thinks h 's a car The van that thinks it's a car the Plymiouth VoyagerfDodge Caravan, gets a turbcarged booetthiÙs year. Chryolées 150-horseùpower, -turbocargd 2.5-litre fou-cylider ee bas found its way into both the Voyager/Caravan and the longer Grand Voyager/Grand Caravan. I' not quite sure why Chrysier did this. The available three-litre V6 with 141 horsepower'is amoother, has more low end torque, and gets about thxe same gas niileage. '-Perbape the magie word "'Turbo' bas a certain appeal for some buyers. Thie Voyager/Caravan was the firet and most successful contemporà y mini-van introduced to the North American ¶ market. It is still the only front-wheel-drive mini-van, with the exception of the new and smaller Nissan Axxess. This has some tangible benefits for the consumer. The Voyagr's height is low enough. to fit into moot car parking garages. Since it is a front-wheêel-drive vehicle, there is no drive-train hump in the middle of the floor, and no rear differential, thus the floor can be lower. The Voyager-*"s bas a lower step-up height, allowing easier access for driver and passengers. And of course front-wheel-drive offers superior traction and directional stability in the snow and wet. So why haven't other Reviewi By Greg Wlson automobile manufacturers dulctdthe front-wheel-drive cocp fthe Voyager? I suspet it's because this tp of design is not capable of pulling. heavier. trailers or carrying as much payload. Rear-wheel-drive mn-vans are targeted at customers who want to haul cargo as well as people. The Voyager, however, is aimed at families who would have bought a big station wagon if the gas mileage were better. In everyday driving, the turbocharged engine is certainly flot wimpy. It has about 50 per cent more power and 30 per cent more low-end torque than the standard four-cylind er engine. Adlequate power is available for passing cars on the freeway or acclerating from a stoplight. The three-sped automatie transmission is extremely smooth and shift changes are barely noticeable. -The turbo engine is a little noisy when accelerating, but hume quietly along thxe highway doing about 2,500 rpm at 100 kmh. One important point: the turbocharged engine is not recommended for trailer towing. Chrysler's brochure states that "sucli use may- damage engine and invalidate warraty." Another unusual note: the Voyager Turbo equipped with the manual 5-speed- transaxle must use more expensive prenium unleaded fuel. My test Voyager had a good selection of easily visisble gauges, but some of the contrôle, including the headlamp switch were hidden from view behind the SEE PAGE 23 198 9 Plymouth Voyager SE -09 -RS ARNTS. TOPSOIL Unllock Intet.ockhg Poving Stones Doilverd or Customer Pick Up Instdlatlon end Lmndscuplng also Avouable For Quick, Rellabi. Service Celi 683-0887 __ *TOP SOIL *Sand *Curbs * Rcckery Stone *Gravel 24 HOUR COIN CAR WASH%> FIREWOOD *Limostone *Pins Mulch *Polio Stabs *Treated Timbers FOAMING BRS $51) BY - ~ * ~ Integra Coupe LS HOW To KEEP COOL HANDLING A HOT CAR Integra Sedan LS Right now is the time to get behind the high spirited race bred performance of the Acura Integra. When you purchase any in-stock Integra for delivery before June 3, 1989, you wilI receive no charge air-conditioning. We urge you to visit us now because the selection 15 imited. U4m sWM. 1 1 1%