WBM NOTE: It has always been my understanding that the GTAs were not available for export sales in 1992, their last year of production. They are not listed in the GM Export Firebird brochure for that year, and I have never seen or heard of such a car since the Source Page has been active. Still, I received this article in October 2001.... and it does feature a 1992 Trans Am GTA in a French automotive magazine test setting. We learn something every day....

"Our idea was not to set a shameful and cheated comparison test which would have lead to the logical victory of.... the Mercedes. Automobiles are to be considered in a daily use, and so imply to give attention to the technical aspects but also to the human sensitivity. So when you have to balance logical aspects with the spirit of heart and money, many judgements have to be modified. This is the way of mind you have to follow in this article which is about the way of dealing with good and powerful V8s in some standard body shells, that commonly have more standard engines too.

- Let us explain now the choice of our 2 cars. From the U.S. point of view, we could have preferred the Ford Mustang GT 5.0L.... or the Camaro Z28 to the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am GTA. But we chose the Pontiac just to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Firebird model. You must know that for this occasion Pontiac created a special 250 cars limited edition called Firehawk, which is especially spicy : the 350 engine rose its power to 350 hp and its torque up to 347 ft/lbs. A nice toy that is not to be sold in Europe and that will only be reserved to a happy few in exchange of $39,995 (the average price of a convertible Corvette). The today Pontiac (which is the 3rd Gen) shares its chassis with the Camaro, but is different in its styling. Especially its specific front end inspired from the 1988 Banshee Concept Car from the Waldorf Astoria Show in New York. I see you have a question: why don't we choose the Corvette? Because we were looking for a 4-passenger, V8 pleasure car built in big series and available currently with less noble engines. We were not looking for a GT car. So such a criteria imposed us the Pony Car category in the U.S. production. These cars are primitive kits offering a large versatility, a kind of "automobile fast food" offering various combinations from the basic non-powerful daily driver with a nice styling to the best dragster-assimilated one. Just notice that such cars have existed in Europe with for instance the Ford Capri available from 1.3 L to 3.0 L in numerous trim combinations.

- From the European point of view, the Mercedes E500 choice was evident. The V8 Audi was to be eliminated because of its 4WD conception and its desire to belong to a different market, and the Lancia Thema 8.32 was to be eliminated because of its FWD architecture which gives her a real inferior potential compared to the Stuttgart child. GT cars were also to be excluded for the same reasons described earlier. So exit the Ferrari Mondial, the Porsche 928 or Mercedes 500 SL. So only 2 cars were leaving in front of the door, ready to fight to defend their own kind. From a more reasonable point of view this comparison test could have been set between a Ford Capri 3000 and a Peugeot 205 GTI 1900. The goal would have been the same, and the conceptual difference too. But we would have to deal with past and present.

The Firebird is available in 4 different level trims in its own country: Sport Coupe, Formula, Trans Am, and Trans Am GTA (the best one). There are also 4 engine levels: 3.1 L V6, 5.0 L V8 with 170 or 205 hp, and 5.7 L V8 with 240 hp and only an automatic transmission (just as the V6 for Europe). Many combinations are of course possible with the options and... counter options: so you can order a GTA with manual trans, but in this case it will require to remove the 5.7 L V8 replaced with the 5.0 L one and performance equipment group (230 hp). The base Firebird price is $12,690 and the top of the line GTA reaches $24,530 with not many option left because almost everything is furnished with it. For the options lovers you can order leather interior for... $450. Let me stop right there not to disappoint anybody.

The Mercedes E500 is a perfect example of a car which could have been created by a professional performance car builder and whose manufacturer could have been jealous enough to build its own model. It also is a perfect reflection of the German philosophy which implies to put a huge engine with many electronics in a current and plainly made body. In the country of the sausage and beer this object is sold $57,500 with almost no equipment: no leather, no electrical sunroof, no electrical tilt steering, no airbag, no alarm or sound system.

Colani Said It.... According to Luigi Colani (excessive designer who is to be considered as the creator of Bio Design) the technological progress unfortunately goes with styling deficiency. He takes the Mercedes E500 and the BMW M5 as examples to set his opinion, those cars which have replaced the GT sedans of yesterdays. This is a harsh point of view but it is definitely true. Always searching for plain attitude these creations have lead to common styled products far more significant for a Kustom maker than a designer. And the E500 "Super Hyper GTi" is totally part of this spirit... except for some details, as its width for instance. Treads have been stretched and fenders too, which gives to this car a clear different appearance than a cab. A real lovely aspect from the front end view. Concerning the rest of it of course...

The Pontiac belongs to another school of design. Never mind the plain attitude, baboum on the stroller. The car is build by Fischer and is to be recognized in its bird nose, its extraordinary long doors (sometimes difficult to use in our parking) and its only side glass. And don't forget the sculptural ground effects and the so specific Aero rear wing. Wherever you go the pedestrian dies for it. Impossible to stay incognito.

Just to talk, you must notice that the Trans Am GTA has always created the same enthusiastic reaction during our test: the porter or the student, the grandmother walking or the garbage man, the delivery man or the businessman and the cover girl have all had the same reaction: a contemplating look and never a jealous reaction.

- A good V8 is to be found under the Firebird hood. This engine is mounted behind the front axle and called L98. This block was the equipment of the Corvette some months ago, to be replaced in 1992 by the LT1. The purists are going to shout and cry at the technical species sheet reading: central camshaft, only 2 valves per cylinder, cast iron block, maximum rpm of a train engine. Keep cool, guys. The best soup is made in the old pots, so don't bury the "grandfather" TPI too early. Of course if you compare it to the high level of technology and electronics of the Mercedes ultra modern engine the judgment is clear. There is no need to go in further details as we already have described this fabulous piece of technology in a former issue (# 976 of May 1991). Just notice that compared to the SL500 engine the E500 gains 22 ft/lbs of torque thanks to longer plenums and the choice of the LH-Jetronic injection in place of the KE-Jetronic. The start of the engines confirms our theories. This is a total silence around the Mercedes, and a tremendous sound around the Firebird. Lets go now to our test field. Comparing the specific power could let us fearful: the E500 that is already far behind the BMW M5 with 65.55 hp / liter against 89.36 hp / liter for the BMW is still in another world compared to the Trans Am GTA which avoids a shameful 41.86 hp / liter. So we could fear the worst for the Pontiac even if the curb weight advantage was for the Star and Stripes representative.

The worst didn't happen. Of course from the top speed point of view the Firebird has too short wings to catch the 326 hp of the E500. The result is a 12 mph difference in the nose. Concerning the accelerations the Pontiac equals the German up to 55 mph, even taking a little advantage up to 35 mph. The 60 mph is the moment when the Mercedes wins versus the Pontiac. Restarts also are rich of information: the Firebird has first a real problem up to 40 mph because of lazy kick down effect but then take advantage above this speed to again at upper speeds. Far away from the pitiless measurements the fact is that the GTA will never be ridiculous compared to the E500 at a green light on a boulevard. This is a precise and clear conclusion, so do not dream away.

- The Pontiac transmission is not a real 4 gears one. It's a 3 gears transmission with an overdrive (extremely long with 33.25 mph at 1,000 rpm against 26.41 mph for the Mercedes, so a 6.5 mph difference !). It's impossible to compare in a good way this trans to the Mercedes one which offers a fantastic soft and quick kick down, and 2 different programming modes, sport and economy. But the Pontiac one is still very comfortable to use. With its short wheel base the Firebird extremely quick ratio (2.1 wheel turns) steering is a real gem. But not as perfect as the Mercedes one though. Notice that the E500 is the first Mercedes equipped with a real nice and comfortable steering wheel. The WS6 package (standard with the GTA) offers a quick ratio steering, large stabilizers, and heavy duty brakes with large diameter rear rotors. The ABS has been studied but finally definitely forgotten. WS6 or not, the all package seems a little bit poor even if we didn't experienced difficulties during the measurements. This chassis needs some attention behind the wheel and a good anticipation in extreme cases. The Mercedes shows a far more modern and well educated attitude. Its efficiency is clearly better well helped by the huge 12 inches front rotors and their 4 pistons calipers, competition heritage. The Firebird is clearly behind !

If the treads are quite similar on both cars, there is a clear difference about wheel base and overall length. The Firebird is equipped with a limited slip differential and is the best for spectacular muscle starts. It is clear that nothing better has been created since the missile. But after the start come the realty : the car quickly starts to shake, vibrations come aboard, and feelings are in. The pure efficiency is never there but pleasure is. Masochism ? No, because the Pontiac is never a vicious car. It looks like those country girls, sometimes outrageously presented but always sincere and natural. As them it never hides its qualities or defaults. So it often slides from the rear but you were warned since the beginning. It's a real strange behavior today because most cars tend to be civilized at their maximum, but we don't mind because the Firebird is not a traitor and always easy to control. The Mercedes is a totally different bread car. Behind the wheel everything seems easy, logical and cool. Excessively comfortable and well mannered it is a real reference in homogeneity. The only thing you can reproach is the ASR traction control which starts too early. But we cannot criticize this security element that is welcome in everyday use. Mercedes just could have thought of a switch on the dashboard in order to shut it. They didn't. Too bad.

- You are comfortably seated in the Pontiac, but you must deal with the specific driving position. The clearly sixties inspired dashboard is quit pleasant to us. But the primitive ergonomic architecture is not. The Mercedes has no effort to do in this sector to accumulate good points, even if some details are unacceptable : impossible to forgive a manual remote left outside mirror, or the lack of a driver foot pad rest on such an expansive machine. But at the end of the road what is to be reproached to the most amusing of the Mercedes? Truly nothing except for the price, of course. The perfect car ? In a certain way. In fact, the kind of car all manufacturers would like to own in their catalogs, and many drivers would like to have in their garage.

- Remembers of past and really exotic the Pontiac is first a fantastic styling and a tremendous sound. Then it's a strange handling that requires some attention, knowledge and anticipation to be appreciated : strange braking capacities, not very much rigidity, and a real dislike for straight curves at high speed. Clearly a car that needs to be driven with hands, feet and... ass. Here is the logical conclusion. From the emotional point of view, the result is quite different. First because the Firebird seduces its driver implicating him in its handling far more than the Mercedes. The driver is not only a spectator like in the German car but becomes a leader. Then the Firebird set the dream, it's Hollywood effect, Knight Rider, with all the magic atmosphere around it. A true power the Mercedes cannot contest. Crazy consequences : people will talk to the Pontiac owner, rarely they will with the Mercedes one which creates jealousy and envy. Tragic consequences : one admires the Firebird but one scratches the E500. At the end you must also remember the tremendous price difference between these 2 cars : in the better case, you could buy 2.5 Firebird Trans Am GTA for one E500 cost. Remarks that lead to a surprising fact : and if after all Detroit was more reasonable than Stuttgart?"

WBM NOTE: Since my French is a little rusty.... the two Specifications tables are thumbnailed above for your enjoyment. If you can translate them.... my hat's off to you! Enjoy!