1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Review

Pontiac's revamped 1997 Grand Prix perfectly fits the automaker's spirited image--especially in supercharged GTP form--and brings back Pontiac's successful old ``Wide Track'' marketing.

The new front-wheel-drive Grand Prix is Pontiac's most-changed new car. Its base prices are approximately $18,000-$20,000 and it has racy new styling, more power, stronger body, new cockpit, crisper steering, revised suspension and larger brakes.

The 1997 ``Prix'' also has a wider track, which is the distance from one wheel to the other across from it. The track has been increased more than two inches in the front and three inches in the rear for better stability and to help provide a wide, ground-hugging appearance--especially from the rear.

The wider look will help distinguish the Grand Prix from its upcoming General Motors sister cars--the new Buick Century and Oldsmobile Intrigue, which share General Motors' new ``W-car'' platform.

Pontiac first did Wide Track marketing in 1959, when its cars were given wider tracks to shake the automaker's ``old-man'' image. That image was long gone when the first Grand Prix successfully debuted as a sleek 1962 coupe.

But four-door sedans, not coupes, are embraced by most in the more conservative 1990s. And the new Grand Prix looks much like Pontiac's 1995 GPX auto show concept sedan, which the automaker promised would appear in toned-down form as the 1997 Grand Prix.

Gone are the GPX's extra-wide fender flares, hood scoop and 300-horsepower V-6. But they really aren't needed.

Besides having a wider track, the new Grand Prix looks racy because its wheelbase--the distance between front and rear wheels--has been increased three inches to 110.5 inches, although overall length is up less than an inch.

Both coupe and sedan versions look equally racy because they share the same new low-profile roof design. Despite the low roofline, the impressively large interior has lots of head room--partly because of the longer wheelbase. You also get a big trunk.

The base $18,029 SE sedan looks good, but is best left to the commuter and rental car crowds, with its economical, 3.1-liter, 160-horsepower V-6 and numb steering. Opt for either the $18,809 GT coupe or $19,809 GT sedan. They're lots more fun, largely because they come with a 195-horsepower, 3.8-liter V-6. That pushrod V-6 operates with much of the efficiency of an overhead-camshaft engine, but has a pushrod motor's good low-end torque.

The best Grand Prix is the GT with the sizzling $1,233 GTP performance package, which includes a supercharged, 240-horsepower version of the 3.8 V-6 that takes you from 0-60 m.p.h. in just 6.6 seconds.

Other GTP items are a beefier four-speed automatic transmission to handle the extra horsepower and considerable torque--and a sport suspension, rear spoiler and stickier performance tires. And, while the 3.1 V-6 delivers an estimated 29 m.p.g. on highways and 20 in the city, the 3.8 V-6 provides 19 and 30 and the GTP offers 28 and 18.

Too bad the GTP version only has minor items, such as small side badges and a rear spoiler, to set it off cosmetically from less adventuresome Grand Prix models. And even the spoiler is offered as a $175 option for other Grand Prix models.

The suspension design is pretty conventional, but provides a smooth ride and good handling. The sport suspension of the GTP I tested delivers a slightly firmer ride, but better handling.

The Grand Prix still has torque steer, but it's not too objectionable.

Still, the mid-size Grand Prix is fairly big and heavy, and even the GTP version can't match the handling of, say, a rear-drive BMW. Push the ``Prix'' hard and you get typical front-drive understeer, which causes the front end to fight directional changes. However, few will drive the car that hard, and understeer is safest for most because it results in more-predictable handling.

The Grand Prix's improved brakes have an anti-lock system. Traction control is standard on all models except on the GTP; the system can't handle the supercharged V-6's extra power.

The Grand Prix is nicely built and painted. The dashboard uses an awful lot of plastic, but the interior contains new contoured front bucket seats, big rear seats and large, easily used knobs that should be copied by other automakers. Noteworthy is a standard Driver Information Center that includes a unique tire pressure monitor that tells when a tire is improperly inflated.

There is a good amount of standard equipment, including power windows and locks and an AM/FM stereo. Options include $195 air conditioning, $646 sunroof and $475 leather seats. The $1,589 1SC option package is expected to be popular; it contains items such as remote keyless entry, power driver's seat, steering wheel radio controls and a ``head-up'' display that projects information about such things as speed on a small area of the windshield.

The 1997 Grand Prix has battery run-down protection if lights accidentally are left on, but the battery is buried in the engine compartment. Pontiac says the car is easier to maintain, with items like a ``lubed-for-life'' suspension and automatic transmission fluid said to be good for 100,000 miles.

Many owners will be tempted to keep it that long.