Aurora's advantage over the imports in its price class boils down to cylinders--twoof them. While its rivals are powered by 6-cylinder engines, the Aurora boasts a
4.0-liter all-aluminum V8, adapted from Cadillac's lauded Northstar 4.6-liter
powerplant. The Aurora's V8 produces 250 horsepower, compared to the 275 ponies in the
standard Seville 4.6-liter engine. But the Aurora is quick off the mark, posting a
zero-to-60 time of 8.2 seconds, even though it weighs a hefty 3970 lbs.
Hitched to the Aurora's 4.0-liter V8 is one of GM's silky-smooth 4-speed
electronically controlled Hydramatic transmissions, which operates so smoothly that
the driver can barely discern shifts in gears during normal acceleration. Of course,
when making getaway bursts from a dead stop--or summoning all of the V8's freeway
passing power with a heavy stomp on the pedal--the transmission announces its presence
with authority. And that's a good thing.
Meanwhile, the Aurora's exceptionally sturdy body structure and gently tuned