![]() I imagine anyone other than a weightlifter or professional wrestler would find steering the Lumina at slow speeds too difficult for comfortable driving. Perhaps Chevy ought to rethink the calibration of the power steering system. However, once rolling along at 30 mph or so, the steering becomes much more manageable. Were it not for the extraordinary amount of effort to turn the steering wheel, the Lumina would score quite high against othersporty sedans.Īt slow speeds the car almost feels as if it has no power steering. Without the air conditioner on to sap fuel economy, the test car returned an even 20 mpg in city driving and 28 on the highway. Specifically, Chevy’s engineers have all but eliminated torque steer, that nagging tendency for the car to pull to the left or right during fast acceleration.įuel mileage was excellent. Power is delivered to the wheels with a higher level of refinement than I can remember in any recent front-wheel drive Chevrolet. The test car came with an exceptionally smooth computer-controlled four-speed automatic transmission. With its crisp – but not loud – exhaust note, the Lumina 3.4 almost has a muscle car demeanor, and it has ample passing power. I found the test car to be most impressive when accelerating between 30 mph and 65 mph. The engine under the hood is GM’s terrific 3.4-liter Twin Dual Cam V-6 – a four-cam, 24-valve fuel-injected dynamo that makes this sedan a star performer. With 200 horsepower on tap, the Lumina Euro 3.4 ranks as one of the most powerful mid-size sedans you can buy. Considering the price, the performance, the room and the equipment, the Lumina 3.4 Euro has much going for it in today’s competitive market. Serious buyers can expect considerable flexibility, thanks to rebates and a pinch of good old-fashioned bargaining. Then I drove the blazing-red Lumina 3.4 Euro sedan, and I changed my mind.Īt this point – the Lumina is 4 years old – there really should be a more user-friendly dash, an air bag and a set of seat belts that doesn’t cut across your neck. When this week’s test car arrived sporting the same old clunky dash, door-mounted seat belts – and still lacking a driver’s side air bag – I began preparing myself for a dull week. It was dislike and disappointment at first sight.
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