REPRINT FROM #16 1994
REVIEW OF ARLINGTON FOXHOUND 4.3 GS
NOT GROUNDBREAKING, BUT COMPETENT!
Most people would agree that the Arlington Foxhound is stylish. The question is if the styling will appear to US car enthusiasts though. This could as well be japanese or german.
We look at our new test car and the front end reminds me of some japanese sports cars, while everything from the firewall and back could be a german luxury coupé. But what we are looking at is the modern interpretation of the classic american pony car. Gone are the days where you could see which country a vehicle was coming from just by the pure looks of it, maybe not so strange, today the wind tunnel is what dictates the shape. That’s probably something we will have to get used to, but the question is - how is the Arlington Foxhound to live with?
DRIVING CHARACTERISTICS
This is nothing like the muscle cars of the past. Sophisticated suspension systems both front and rear means that the car handles well. On the skidpad we managed to get 0.99 Gs - clearly a more than acceptable value. Of course it is rear wheel drive - that is an important part of the soul when it comes to cars like this. It is a bit tail happy at low speeds - just like it should be if you ask an enthusiast, but thanks to a limited slip differential, the meaty 225 rubber won’t go up in smoke immediately at least. But it feels very secure when it comes to high speed cornering, and it probably won’t surprise you in an emergency maneuvre.
About the brakes, one word. Excellent! Panic stops shows no fade and a 35.1 metre stopping distance from 100 means that you will almost be nailed to the windshield if you stomp on the pedal. And even a muscle car has anti lock brakes nowadays so you can trust them even if the weather conditions are harsh. Gone are the days of fading drum brakes, thank god.
Power steering (variable ratio) is standard, paired with relatively compact dimensions means that city driving won’t be a total struggle. The wedge shape might take away some visibility when it comes to parallell parking though - but that’s something we likely will have to live with in the future. Again, the wind tunnel is what shapes the cars of today.
VERDICT: ****
PERFORMANCE
Some people still says that the muscle era ended with the oil crisis and emissions regulations in the 70s. Obviously, they have never driven the 4.3 GS. 5.9 seconds from standing still to 100, a whooping 3.94 seconds from 80 to 120, 14.35 second times on the quarter mile. Top speed is electronically limited to 249 km/h - frankly, with a 110 km/h speed limit on the highways that is less of a worry.
VERDICT: *****
The side most people will see of the powerful Foxhound, is our guess.
COMFORT
Riding in a Foxhound is not exactly like riding on a cloud. Suspension is firm (not rock hard, just a bit “sporty” in its setup), seating comfort is horrible in the back but at least quite good up front. On the other hand, good sound insulation and a well muffled engine means that the ride is surprisingly quiet - now we don’t know if it will please the potential buyers or not, expect loud aftermarket exhaust to be a huge seller. Stiff clutch and gearbox is something that most often comes with a powerful manual transmission car - so also in this case. Don’t be scared away, though, the Foxhound is far from a penalty chamber - it is just not in the higher end of the market.
VERDICT: ***
ROOMINESS AND PRACTICALITY
Hardly the reason to buy a car like this, huh? The luggage compartment is minimal and the passenger space not much better. It is hard to find a less practical shape than a 2 door coupé - should be a convertible maybe. At least there is a back seat even if it’s hardly suitable for adults. Nah, from this point of view the Foxhound is hardly a rational purchase, but then again, that is also true for all of the competition.
VERDICT: *
EQUIPMENT AND INTERIOR
We have already mentioned limited slip and ABS. It also comes with variable ratio power steering, and of course what’s considered more or less “standard” today like power door locks. Our test car also came with an optional package including for example 16 inch alloy wheels wrapped in sticky rubber, leather upholstery and a grippy leather wrapped steering wheel, a tape deck with crystal clear sound, electric windows, air conditioning, dual cup holders etc. - something we consider worth picking when you do your purchase.
As for the interior, well… It feels a bit like nice seats and steering wheel in an otherwise a bit dated and “plastic” interior. But it is well laid out and has acceptable ergonomics, which is the important part. Some people might complain that it looks a bit “cheap” and old fashioned, though. It’s up to you to decide if you like it, and we aren’t going to beat on the car for this.
VERDICT: ****
Hardly exciting - but functional and competent.
ENGINE AND DRIVETRAIN
The 4.3 litre V8 has a relatively conservative power output of 234 hp - but it is more than enough. It runs quiet and smooth, as well as efficient and clean for what it is. It has a SOHC valvetrain layout, cast iron block and alloy heads - a bit more up to date than the yankee cars of the past.
Gearbox and clutch are a bit more tractor like, a bit stiff which is the cost you have to pay when mated to a torquey V8, be a bit careful on it or you will fry either clutch or tyres, none of them exactly cheap. There is relatively wide spacing in the 5 speed manual, but gearing is relaxed for highway speed driving.
Hardly groundbreaking stuff but it does its job in a car like this.
VERDICT: ***
QUALITY AND RELIABILITY
The impression of build quality is fair but that’s it, don’t expect anything above average, but we would not call it a disappointment and it was free from rattles and squeaks. Also, panel gaps looks even and the metallic black on our test car was smoothly laid out with a nice sparkle. Lots of aluminium and corrosion resistant steel in the panels and structure means that it will probably stay like that instead of turning into a leopard too. Also, tried and true technology means that ownership will be relatively trouble free, we predict the reliability to be slightly above average.
VERDICT: ***
ECONOMY
$30200 AMU is not at the bottom end on the market, but we think that you get a lot of car for that money. 12.1 litres per 100 km is far from economical in itself - but on the other hand, we don’t expect better in this class. Service costs, once again above average at £1029.7 AMU - but this is no 3 cylinder compact car on narrow bakelite tyres. We also predict second hand value to be good. So, this is far from an economy car - but absolutely not a disaster for your wallet. Actually, good for its class, we would say.
VERDICT: **
SAFETY
It offers nothing extra when it comes to safety, but of course it fulfills all the regulations, comes with stuff like door beams, pretensioning seatbelts, and (only) a drivers side airbag. The cramped cabin might be a concern but on the other hand, with the long front crumple zone you will sit far from the things you might (god forbid) manage to hit, and 1409 kg of weight is enough to be an advantage over a smaller car. NHTSA testing have given it a 3 star verdict - and so do we.
VERDICT: ***
FINAL VERDICT: 28/45
The Foxhound is by no means amazing, groundbreaking, but excuse our french - damn good. It gives you lots of value for your money and is competent overall - especially when it comes to performance.
A car like this has drawbacks from a rational standpoint, but then again, nobody buys a car like this for rational reasons, which have to be weighed in. It excels in all areas a modern muscle car should do it - and that’s the right priority. We doubt that many buyers would be willing to pay extra for stuff that is not necessary in such a car.
Probably that’s the key to success in this class.
Thanks to @Texaslav for the car!
. So for lore/game purposes ill have to think of a name for it, adjust some settings and whatnot and go from there.