1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Review
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By Don Fuller

Overview

Here's a safe prediction: Pontiac's all-new Grand Prix will be one of the hits of the 1997 model year. It's got looks, performance, roominess, comfort, handling features--and it's in a price range that won't clobber a budget.

In several ways, the new Grand Prix rises above the mainstream of the competition. Most obvious is the styling, which has a sleekly muscular, competent and aggressive look.

From front to rear, it's a pretty dynamic design job. One key element that adds to the sleekness is that it was designed first as a coupe, then the sedan was derived from that. The coupe and sedan actually share the same roof panel and rear window--an extreme rarity in automobile design and manufacturing, and it gives the coupe sedan-like room, the sedan coupe-like grace.

Another important aspect of the Grand Prix is that it marks a return to Wide Trackin' at Pontiac. Com-pared to other mid-size sedans, particularly its General Motor's cousins, the Grand Prix has a significantly wider track and the fenders have been noticeably flared to cover the tires. The wide track improves stability, and the flared fenders add to the aggressive look.

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