1997 BUICK SKYLARK
OVERVIEW
FLINT, Mich. -- The Skylark value story improves for '97 with additional refinements and added standard equipment. Buick's premium six-passenger compact, the Skylark coupe and sedan, was extensively redesigned inside and out for 1996 -- while raising the standard of expectations in this entry-level class. The car is premium in everything but price.
Skylark Limited, Skylark Gran Sport and standard Skylark Custom are distinct models. All three are available as coupe or sedan.
Skylark's scope of standard and optional equipment covers a broad range of customer benefits.
Standard equipment includes driver and front passenger air bags that will inflate in frontal impacts greater than 14 mph. Four-wheel anti-lock brakes provide an extra margin of stopping power. Passlock passive theft deterrent is standard equipment. Front and side window defogger outlets sustain visibility in cold or damp weather.
Skylark is rich with the kind of luxury and convenience gear customers expect to pay extra for in other entry-level automobiles. Standard equipment includes four-way manual seat controls and a storage armrest, electronically controlled automatic transmission with overdrive, traction control, power windows with driver's side express-down function (optional on Custom), rear-window defogger, two-speed intermittent windshield wipers, visor vanity mirrors and an adjustable steering column.
EXTERIOR
Skylark reflects Buick's traditional respect for a well-designed automobile with an uncluttered design, making a classy statement. A smoothly contoured grille and front fascia wraps around to a low hoodline and fenders, emphasizing excellent visibility from behind the wheel. Integrated body side moldings protect the car from door-dings, and unite the design theme by flowing to the rounded tail end and its large horizontal lamps.
Flush-mounted glass and door handles help reduce wind noise and contribute to a sleek appearance. Standard equipment includes left and right remote outside mirrors.
Two new colors, Platinum Blue Pearl and Royal Orchid Pearl, are offered for '97. Both are applied with a base coat of color and a protective clear-coat.
INTERIOR
Skylark's instrument panel has large white-on-black gauges and a number of tell-tales to keep the driver informed of every vehicle function. Buick's family of radio units and all key controls are placed within the driver's easy reach for maximum utility and usefulness. Skylark is also the only entry in the segment to offer steering-wheel-mounted radio controls.
A deluxe headliner includes passenger assist handles, extendable sunshades, lighted visor vanity mirrors and front and rear reading/courtesy lights.
Standard-equipment seating includes a 55/45 split bench seat with seatback recliners, featuring a seat-mounted storage tray and a standard storage armrest with dual cup holders. Available bucket seats feature standard-equipment driver-adjustable lumbar control and available six-way power adjustment for the driver's seat. A premium cloth seat covering is featured on standard bench and bucket seats, and leather is available on bucket seats.
CHASSIS
Skylark's front MacPherson-strut and rear trailing axle suspension is tuned to provide a blend of expected Buick ride quality and excellent handling characteristics. Skylark Gran Sport features suspension tuning optimized for its sportier characteristics.
All Skylarks are equipped with power-assisted front disc/rear drum brakes that extend the security of sure stops, with the additional benefit of a Delco ABS VI anti-lock brake system. Traction control is standard equipment.
Low rolling resistance P195/70R14 all-season tires (blackwall standard, whitewall optional) on 14 x 6-inch wheels are standard equipment on Skylark Custom, with P195/65R15 Goodyear Eagle TA touring tires on 15 x 6-inch wheels an uplevel availability for Custom and Limited models. The performance-oriented Skylark Gran Sport rides on aggressive P205/55R16 Goodyear Eagle GA tires mounted on wide 16 x 6-inch aluminum road wheels.
POWERTRAIN
Skylark's powertrain line-up includes the economy of a standard four-cylinder engine and an uplevel V-6 for a combination of power and authority.
The standard engine is a powerful DOHC 2.4-liter (146 cubic inches) Twin Cam inline four producing 150 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 155 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm. This engine has a cast iron block, aluminum cylinder head, and a compression ratio of 9.5:1. Its intake manifold is a sophisticated nylon material comprised of 33 percent glass fibers -- weighing only 2.85 pounds -- which helps insulate passengers from engine noise. A sophisticated balance shaft, located in the oil pan, offsets vibration for smoother idle. Fuel delivery is via sequential electronic fuel injection. Each cylinder has two intake and two exhaust valves for freer breathing. The engine requires normal unleaded fuel.
The uplevel engine, standard in Skylark Gran Sport, is a smooth and strong overhead-valve 3.1-liter (191 cubic inches) V-6. With a 9.6 to one compression ratio, this powerplant produces 155 horsepower at a low 5200 rpm threshold, with torque of 185 lb-ft at 4000 rpm. The 3100 has a cast iron block, cast aluminum cylinder heads and intake manifold. A precise intake charge is delivered through sequential electronic fuel injection, with each cylinder possessing one intake and one exhaust valve. The 3100 V-6 also runs on recommended normal unleaded fuel.
Both engines send their output to the front wheels through a 4T60E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. The final drive ratio for four-cylinder Skylarks is 3.42, and for six-cylinder is 2.93.
These engine-transmission powerpacks provide exceptional performance, smoothness, value and fuel economy. The standard four-cylinder Skylark carries a rating of 22 miles per gallon on the EPA city cycle and 32 mpg on the highway. The V-6 has EPA ratings of 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.