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Oldsmobile Division has gotten an early start on its 1992 model run, bringing out a new ’92 Eighty Eight Royale LS this summer.

A model designed to capture a younger segment of buyers, the LS four-door offers a more aerodynamic styling theme than the Eighty Eight it replaces. But the division is backing up what it hopes will be a winning hand by retaining proven General Motors Corp. mechanical features.

The package has the dependability that embellishes a good-looking automobile. Whether the engineering features will be sufficiently exciting to attract younger buyers will be determined in the marketplace.

Past Eighty Eight drivers will find the LS a bit like an old friend. While the car is new, items like buttons, switches and other controls remain basically the same, although some have been moved slightly.

The LS is a full-sized four-door, with V-6 power, front-wheel drive and room for six passengers. Getting in and out is easy.

However, the 60/40 driver/passenger seats, which provide extra room for the driver, are slightly dished out for comfort, so someone sitting in the middle up front is not going to be comfortable.

Still, Olds has made sure that comfort and convenience have a high priority with this automobile. So driving the Royale LS that Rick Brown, general manager of Dellen Oldsmobile, provided for a test car was just a matter of settling back and heading it down the road.

Because of Olds’ emphasis on aerodynamics and a drag coefficient of 0.31, there was an absence of wind noise on the interstate. Unless you ran it over a trench, the car was vibration free. It’s the type of sedan in which you can ride all day with minimum fatigue.

The engine in the LS is the latest version of GM’s 3800 series V-6 that produces respectable horsepower and torque for overall operating flexibility. But while the engine has power, off-the-line acceleration tends to be on the soft side.

Acceleration is much more responsive in the midspeed range. Here, the four-speed downshifts quickly and the car gets up and moves.

Overall operation of the test LS was a dream. GM’s most advanced electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission shifted so smoothly it almost was like an infinite-ratio transmission. Steering was accurate and quick. And while the suspension system is designed for ease of ride, there was built-in stability in high-speed turns.

The car primarily is meant to appeal to young family buyers who want style combined with mileage efficiency. As a consequence, the interior was a lush fabric that looked as if it came out of something running $30,000 or more. And it was hard to argue with a fuel mileage rating of 18 miles per gallon in city driving and 28 miles per gallon on the highway for a full-sized four-door.

In general, I’d say the LS isn’t something for the road racers, but it is for family types looking for upstream motoring. With all the whistles and bells, it’s going to be a worthy replacement for past Eighty Eig ht models.

1992 Eighty Eight Royale LSBase price: $21,395.As tested: $23,421.Type: Front-engine, front-drive, six-passenger, luxury sedan.Engine: 3.8-liter, 12-valve, fuel-injected, 170-horsepower V-6.Mileage: 18 mpg city, 28 mpg highway.Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 10.2 seconds.Length: 200.4 inches.Wheelbase: 110.8 inches.Curb weight: 3,485 pounds.Options: Package includes electronic climate control, cornering lamps, rear-window defogger, six-way power driver’s seat, steering wheel touch controls for climate control and radio, remote accessories group, reminder group and 15-inch aluminum wheels with locks.Area dealers: Collins, Dellen, Ed Martin, Ray Skillman, Pence, Prestige, Russ Dellen, Dave Mason, Classic, Jaggers-Harris.