| Japanese import vehicles have been called many | | | | Particularly when compared with earlier, smaller, |
| things over the years-high-quality, well-engineered, | | | | Japanese imports, the Vigor GS would fulfill any |
| fuel-efficient. One adjective that hasn't been used | | | | buyer's wish list in terms of ride, handling, sound |
| very often, though, is luxurious. | | | | isolation and performance. None of those old |
| The Acura Vigor is certainly a vehicle striven to | | | | four-cylinder jobs would be able to match the |
| change that perception, combining many of the | | | | response we unleashed from the Vigor GS's |
| best elements of a sports coupe and a touring | | | | five-cylinder, 20-valve, 176-hp engine. Our test |
| sedan. | | | | vehicle ripped from 0 to 60 mph just as a true |
| It also boasted a number of technical marvels, | | | | sports sedan should. When it accelerated from 60 |
| most notably a five-cylinder, 2.5-liter, 20-valve | | | | to 90 mph in fifth gear, the Vigor GS eclipsed our |
| power plant delivering a level of performance that | | | | highway passing requirements by a comfortable |
| competing four-cylinder import sedans would be | | | | margin. |
| hard-pressed to match. | | | | Shifting was smooth and effortless with the |
| Unfortunately, the Vigor GS doesn't reach the | | | | five-speed manual transmission. Even cruising at |
| upper echelon of luxury sedans because its | | | | low speeds through a parking lot was fun thanks |
| interior is too small, inches short of what its prime | | | | to the inclusion of a wide-range second gear. |
| competitors are offering. | | | | Cornering and maneuvering were quick and stable |
| Our exterior tour of the Vigor GS met our | | | | with the Vigor GS's sophisticated, |
| expectations for a flawless fit-and-finish, in | | | | double-wishbone, four-wheel independent |
| legendary Japanese tradition. However, we found | | | | suspension smoothing things out. |
| little in its styling to suggest a kinship to earlier, | | | | Wind, engine and road noise didn't penetrate the |
| smaller Japanese imports. | | | | interior of our test vehicle at any speed. And |
| The rear fenders and upswept trunk lid highlighted | | | | bumps, jolts and road shock were all but |
| the rear styling treatment. Oversized red and | | | | nonexistent during our two days of testing---and |
| white tail-lamp assemblies wrapped around the | | | | we traveled on some rough, broken-down city |
| rear fenders. Molding identical to that on the side | | | | streets and hilly freeways. |
| of the car protected the body-colored vinyl | | | | Team Acura accomplished one important part of |
| bumper; this molding encased the bumper and | | | | their mission with the Vigor GS sedan: They've |
| extended to the back of the rear wheel wells, | | | | given owners of older, smaller imports a |
| giving the trim a uniform look. | | | | responsive, elegant and comfortable step up to a |
| Well-organized and elegant are terms that come | | | | midsize sedan. |
| to mind when describing the interior of this fully | | | | Acura also created a marvel of technical |
| equipped sedan. Visible through the thickly padded | | | | sophistication with the Vigor GS and filled it with |
| steering wheel was a nicely arranged instrument | | | | thoughtful extra touches, such as a tiny visor |
| panel containing the speedometer, tachometer, | | | | over the rearview mirror to reduce headlight |
| fuel and temperature gauges-all with white | | | | glare. However, this car fell inches short of |
| needles and graphics against a black back round | | | | becoming one of our favorite midsize sedans |
| for maximum legibility. These readouts were | | | | because of its elegant but way-too-snug interior. |
| accompanied by a host of warning lights. | | | | |