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Pontiac's sporty Bonneville sedan adds a supercharged option
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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BODEGA BAY, Calif. -- A slinky sedan catches your eye: Long and low in stance, it poses a curved prow with low-dipped nose, sharp windshield tilt and tapered rear deck.
Special aero panels, wrapping the lower body in a cheat-the-wind cloak for performance, speak of speed and force and serious automotive action.
The first of these in the current generation that one tester encountered, parked on a crowded corridor in Key West, prompted me to leave the family entourage on a corner while I crossed the street and cocked an eye to the label, hoping to decipher the name.
Then came the revelation: Oh, yeah -- that's Bonneville SSEi, supercharged flagship sports sedan for the action-oriented fleet by Pontiac.
Several weeks later in Seattle, I performed the same label-searching task. Of course, one reminded memory, that's what was spied in the Keys, only now it's dressed in a different color. The impressive form of Bonneville caused other necks to turn on the sidewalk, I noted.
So it goes, across the country as Pontiac's stunning Bonneville SSEi snags more than a side glance or two from those in passing.
The fact is that this handsome thing with its full-size platform and supercharged powerplant has attracted glowing reports from all quarters, setting a new curve along the way for the Pontiac Division of General Motors in terms of style, appearance and performance.
And it does perform.
The SSEi's 3.8-liter V6 engine, tied to a supercharger, surges to 240 hp. That puts enough muscle under the hood to propel Bonneville's bulk to near warp speed.
Tests clock it from zero to 60-mph in about seven seconds and across the quarter mile stripe in less than 16.
Figures like these seem more appropriate for a shiny coupe or narrow 2-seater, but we're talking full-size selection and wide-track rostrum.
Bonneville, a name etched in automotive history due to the tradition of speed tests conducted across Utah's salt flats, has been a part of the Pontiac program for well over three decades. Yet in its present form the sedan is a more recent wonder, emerging for this generational shape as a 1992 issue. Subsequent refinements in successive years for powertrains and elective equipment have maintained Bonneville in fresh and competitive shape.
A base Bonneville SE edition and upscale SSE utilize the same V6 engine as SSEi, only without supercharging. In these iterations, the plant attains 205 hp.
In addition to the option of a supercharged boost, Bonneville SSE adds mechanical equipment not found on SE -- such as variable effort for the rack and pinion steering, dual exhaust system and traction control.
The traction mechanism serves as a safety feature because it works like anti-lock brakes, only for accelerating instead of braking, to distribute power for each front wheel individually to avoid tire slippage.
The SSE version also installs some special comfort and convenience items such as 6-way power controls of the driver's bucket seat, remote keyless entry, plus 8-speaker Bose sound system, overhead console and leather-lined seats.
All Bonneville models for 1998 carry an impressive array of standard equipment: Anti-lock brakes and dual airbags, electronically-controlled 4-speed automatic transmission, power steering, air conditioning, tilting steering column, power windows and door locks, tinted glass, map lights, dual outside mirrors, fog lamps and intermittent windshield wipers.
All also add GM's Pass-Key theft-deterrent system.
Base equipment in the handling department -- including the rack and pinion steering, front disc brakes and a fully independent suspension system -- allows Bonneville to perform nimble tricks for such a big car, but SSE goes further with sport suspension tuning for firm ride quality.
In tests, Bonneville surprises and delights.
There's that power surge flowing from the supercharged engine of SSEi.
It's quick to act, with strong torque in lower gears so you feel the thrust when running through a stoplight derby. At highway speed you can pounce with confidence when passing because there's more than enough power in reserve.
Tests in Bonneville with base V6 reveal satisfying acceleration, although some critics have questioned whether a full-size car like this should carry a big V8. However, the design of the V6 increases airflow and thereby extends the band of horsepower to a higher rpm range while expanding mid-range torque and also conserving fuel.
Either engine links to a 4-speed automatic transmission with electronic shift sequences for unobtrusive transitions.
A refresher course for Bonneville took place in Sonoma County on serpentine coils of blacktop winding with the Russian River on a redwood-studded route through Rio Nido to the California coast.
And this car shows its stuff, hugging a hard curve, asking the aggressive driver for even more power. It snakes through a curve set, big 16-inch R-rated radials not offering the slightest hint of protest.
Inside, you feel coddled and comforted by pliable leather upholstery and the fit of a plush seat.
An integrated center console holds the automatic shifter's stick capped by leather-wrapped handle.
A favorite gadget flashes magically on the windshield directly in driver's line of sight looking at the road ahead. The head-up display of speed constantly reminds you you're commanding a big and powerful ship and helps to hold your foot to respectable -- legal -- speed limit.
Fancy features include a highly accurate directional compass, auxiliary 12-volt power source mounted in the roof (perfect for plugging a cellular phone or radar detector), and accessory emergency kit complete with spotlight, first aid kit, gloves, air hose and windshield scraper.
These refined touches do not come cheaply, of course, as Bonneville SSE's price begins around $30,000, elevating it about $7,000 above base SE model and into competition with some German and Japanese touring sedans. Select the optional SSEi supercharger package for SSE and you'll move another $1,170 to the bottom line.
1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SEDAN
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE Specs |
| Description: |
Full-size sports sedan |
| Model Options: |
Full-size sports sedan |
| Wheelbase: |
110.8 inches |
| Overall Length: |
SE: 200.5 inches
SSE: 202.1 inches
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| Engine Size: |
OHV 3.8-L V6
OHV 3.8-L V6 SC
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| Transmission: |
Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
Power disc/drum/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
19/29 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 23,000 to $ 33,000 |
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