While additional sound deadening material has been added to the front and rear floorpan, enhancing the high quality
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| From the ground up, the Pursuit is built to a much higher standard than most in its field. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
experience is foam-in-place carpet, the foam being injected along bottom of carpet prior to it being installed. The foam in place process is also used along the backside of each dash mat. On the other side of the firewall, GM "wall-papered" the engine compartment and then added a plastic molded engine cover to absorb additional chatter. With regards to sealing out exterior noise, GM engineers once again went to extremes. "We were maniacal about closing and sealing out every gap in the car," added Parks.
So it makes sense that the new Pursuit would feel larger than a compact car.
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| The Pursuit's 2.2-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine makes 145-hp, putting it near the top of the compact segment's base engine class. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
From the ground up it's built to a much higher standard than most in its field. Part of this sensation comes from its impressive power off the line. While I mentioned the improvements made to the engine as far as noise, vibration and harshness levels are concerned, performance is also up slightly from the 2.2-liter Ecotec four-cylinder used in the previous Sunfire, truly the best attribute the car had. Instead of an already peppy 140 horsepower, the Pursuit makes 145, putting it near the top of the compact segment's base engine class. It's still a 16-valve, dual overhead cam configuration, revving easily at the touch of the throttle and staying afire right to a breathy 6,800 rpm.
