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Press, 21 January 1982, Page 17

Datsun’s Pulsar coupe (above) will be a rare sight on New Zealand’s roads. A limited number of these Japanese-assembled vehicles have been brought to the South Island by Tench Brothers and will sell for about $13,500. The coupe has a 1.5-litre OHC four-cylinder engine which develops 84 h.p. at 5600 r.p.m., as opposed to the hatch-back’s 1.3 litre and 74 h.p. at 6000 r.p.m. Wheelbase, width, and length are the same as for the hatch-back. The coupe’s over-all height is 4cm lower, 1 however, and at 810 kg it is

20 kg heavier. The most obvious feature of the coupe is its enormous rear window and its tiny wind-down rear passenger windows. Steering is rack and pinion, and suspension is by independent strut and trailing arm. The coupe is not strictly a two-seater; two small adults can fit in the back reasonably comfortably. As with the hatch-back, front leg room and head room is not outstanding, but is adequate. On the road the 1.5 litre engine retains the quietness

of the 1.3, but gives the car a much livelier feel. In fifth gear, at 2000 r.p.m. and 80 km/h, the hum from the engine poses no threat to conversation.

The coupe retains all the admirable roadholding characteristics of the hatch-back, with the added bonus of more power. Luggage space, however, is not as great, and the coupe costs about $3OOO more, but fuel economy is almost as good at 16.4 km a litre as the hatch-back’s 17.9 km/1. (Measured over 160 km of open hilly road.

—By

Theo van Dongen