| Chevrolet Sprint | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Suzuki Motor Corporation Colmotores |
| Production | 1985–1988 (US) 1985-1991 (Canada) 1987-2004 (Colombia) |
| Assembly | Hamamatsu, Japan Bogotá, Colombia |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Subcompact |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | M-body |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.0 L I3 1.0 L turbocharged I3 |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic 5-speed manual |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Geo Metro |
| First generation | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Pontiac Firefly Suzuki Forsa |
| Production | 1985–1988 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback |
| Related | Suzuki Cultus Suzuki Forsa Suzuki Swift |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 3-Door: 88.4 in (225 cm) 5-Door: 92.3 in (234 cm) |
| Length | Hatchback: 144.5 in (367 cm) 5-Door: 148.4 in (377 cm) |
| Width | Hatchback: 60.2 in (153 cm) Turbo: 60.8 in (154 cm) |
| Height | 53.1 in (135 cm) |
| Curb weight | 1,565 lb (710 kg) - 1,620 lb (735 kg) |
| Second generation (Canada only) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Geo Metro Pontiac Firefly |
| Production | 1989–1991 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback |
| Related | Suzuki Swift Suzuki Cultus |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 5-door: 2,365 mm (93.1 in) 3-door & Convertible: 2,265 mm (89.2 in) |
| Length | 5-door: 3,810 mm (150.0 in) 3-Door & Convertible: 3,710 mm (146.1 in) |
| Width | 1,575 mm (62.0 in) Convertible: 62.7 in (159 cm) |
| Height | 5-door: 1,380 mm (54.3 in) 3-door: 1,355 mm (53.3 in) Convertible: 52.0 in (132 cm) |
| First and Second edition (Colombia only) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1987–1988 1989-2004 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 5-door hatchback |
| Related | Suzuki Forsa Chevrolet Swift |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 92.3 in (234 cm) |
| Length | 148.4 in (377 cm) |
| Width | o: 60.8 in (154 cm) |
| Height | 53.1 in (135 cm) |
| Curb weight | 1,620 lb (735 kg) |
The Chevrolet Sprint is a rebadged version of the Suzuki Cultus sold in the United States, Canada and Colombia. From 1985 to 1988, the car was sold as the Suzuki Forsa and Pontiac Firefly in Canada.
During the mid-1980s, imported subcompacts such as the Hyundai Excel and Toyota Tercel were becoming more popular, and GM felt like it would discontinue its predecessor, the Chevette when the Sprint was sold in North America. GM continued the Chevette until 1987 however, and the Chevette was sold alongside its successors, the Sprint and Spectrum.
In the 1988 model year, the naturally-aspirated hatchback was named the Chevrolet Sprint Metro.
The "Sprint" and "Sprint Metro" were different. The Sprint Metro had a 50 mpg‑US (4.7 L/100 km; 60 mpg‑imp) rating, while the Sprint was just 48 mpg‑US (4.9 L/100 km; 58 mpg‑imp). Both were computer controlled carb systems.
The Metro name was carried through into the Geo brand and retained when it was rebadged to Chevrolet again in 1998. The Suzuki Swift was redesigned for the 1989 model year, and a new name was given to the General Motors rebadge in the United States: Geo Metro. However, as the Geo brand was not introduced to the Canadian market until 1992, the car retained the Chevrolet Sprint name for another three model years in Canada.
From 1985 to 1988, the carbureted 1.0 L 3-cylinder engine used a hemispherical head design. The 1986 model was documented at 60 mpg‑US (3.9 L/100 km; 72 mpg‑imp) on the highway. Later, as fuel injection was mandated, the cylinder head for the 1989 was redesigned to add the additional cooling required, which reduced gas mileage. The Sprint was originally offered in parts of the western US for the 1985 model year; subsequently Chevrolet marketed the Sprint to the rest of the North American market as well. All models had the hatchback body style and initially all were three-door models. Starting in 1986, a five-door hatchback version was offered, called the Sprint Plus. That year, another model called the Sprint ER was offered that included a few extra features, such as an "upshift" light to indicate the ideal speed to shift to the next highest gear on manual transmission models. Although air conditioning was offered in all years, the three-speed automatic transmission wasn't offered until 1986. All models featured front-wheel drive and 12-inch tires, which contributed to the Sprint's excellent handling and super-economical upkeep costs.
Turbocharged versions of the 1.0 L 3-cylinder engine were available in the Turbo Sprint from 1987 to 1990 (1987-1988 in U.S.). Colors were limited to red, white and blue for the Turbo Sprint. The corresponding Suzuki was not turbocharged; instead, it used a 1.3 L 4-cylinder engine.
Sprint Category:Front-wheel-drive vehicles Category:Subcompact cars Category:Hatchbacks Category:1980s cars Category:1990s cars
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