The Pontiac Sunfire is a compact car by Pontiac that was introduced for the 1995 model year to replace the Sunbird. Not only was the name changed, but dramatic styling changes were included as well. The new styling was shared with the redesigned Chevrolet Cavalier. The J platform was updated structurally to meet more stringent safety standards for the 1996 model year.
1995–97 Sedan & 2000–05 Coupe: 182 in (4,623 mm) 1998–99 Sedan: 181.7 in (4,615 mm) 1995–99 Coupe & Convertible: 181.9 in (4,620 mm) 2000–02 Sedan: 181.8 in (4,618 mm) 2003–05 Sedan: 183.2 in (4,653 mm)
Width
Convertible & 1995–97 Coupe: 67.4 in (1,712 mm) 1995–97 Sedan: 67.3 in (1,709 mm) 1998–2005 Coupe & Convertible: 68.4 in (1,737 mm) Sedan: 67.9 in (1,725 mm)
Height
1998–2005 Coupe: 53 in (1,346 mm) 1998–2005 Sedan: 54.7 in (1,389 mm) 1998–2005 Convertible: 53.7 in (1,364 mm) 1995–97 Coupe: 53.2 in (1,351 mm) 1995–97 Sedan: 54.8 in (1,392 mm) 1995–97 Convertible: 51.9 in (1,318 mm)
The Pontiac Sunfire went through two facelifts in its 11-year run: a small redesign in 2000 featuring the heavy plastic cladding look that was prevalent with Pontiac at the time, and a more streamlined update in 2003. In the US, the coupe was the only model available from 2003 to 2005. The sedan continued to be sold in Canada and Mexico until the end of production on June 22, 2005. GM replaced the Sunfire with the G5 for the 2006 model year in Canada and the 2007 model year in the United States.
1995 – 2.3 L (138 cu in) Quad 4 (RPO: LD2)I4, 150 hp (116 kW) and 150 lb⋅ft (203 N⋅m)
1995–1997 – 2.2 L (134 cu in) 2200 (RPO: LN2) I4, 120 hp (89 kW) and 130 lb⋅ft (176 N⋅m)
1998–2002 – 2.2 L (134 cu in) 2200 (RPO: LN2) I4, 115 hp (86 kW) and 135 lb⋅ft (183 N⋅m)
1996–2002 – 2.4 L (146 cu in) Twin Cam (RPO: LD9) I4, 150 hp (112 kW) and 155 lb⋅ft (210 N⋅m)
2002–2005 – 2.2 L (134 cu in) Ecotec (RPO: L61) I4, 140 hp (104 kW) and 150 lb⋅ft (203 N⋅m)
The base model had the 2.2 L engine from 1994 until 2002. The GT trim level had an optional, more powerful 2.3 L Quad 4 engine from 1994 to 1995, which was replaced by the 2.4 L LD9 engine in 1995. The 2.3 and 2.4 litre engines were optional in the 2 and 4 door LS trim level. In 2003, both the 2.2 L and the 2.4 L engines were replaced by the 2.2 L Ecotec engine, and would be the only powertrain available for the remainder of production. The Ecotec engine was also an option for the 2002 model year.[1]
1997 Pontiac Sunfire Twin Cam engine
2003 Pontiac Sunfire Ecotec engine
At the time of introduction, the Sunfire was available with a three-speed automatic or a five-speed manual. General Motors had envisioned introducing a new four-speed automatic with the new car, but the company's cash shortage delayed this option until the next year.
Trim levelsedit
The Sunfire could be purchased as a sedan, coupe, or convertible. All three variations came in the standard SE trim level. An upscale GT trim level was available on the coupe and convertible. The GT trim level came standard with the 2.3 litre LD2 engine from 1994 to 1995 or the 2.4 litre LD9 "Twin Cam" engine (1996–2002), 16-inch alloy wheels, dual exhaust, and a more aggressive looking front fascia. The SE trim was the standard for the Sunfire which included the 2.2 litre 2200 OHV Engine. The 2.3/2.4 DOHC Engine was optional. Both the SE and GT trim levels were dropped after the 2002 model year, along with the 2.2 OHV and 2.4 DOHC engines. The 2.2 litre Ecotec was the only available engine as of the 2002 model year.[2]
Originally, the convertible was only in the SE trim level until the 1999 model year where it became only available in the GT trim. The convertible was discontinued after the 2000 model year. All Sunfire convertibles were assembled at the "Genesis" Lansing, Michigan Plant.[2] At its introduction from 1995 until 2001 the rear of the vehicle on coupes has the brand name "Pontiac" between the tail lights, and the trim panel is backlit when the vehicle is on using license plate bulbs installed in the trunk. As vehicles are passed from one owner to another, the panel is not illuminated due to the owners not being aware of the feature.
Prices in 1995 Range from A base sedan at $10,243 (equivalent to $20,500 in 2023), all the way to a $14,195 coupe GT (equivalent to $28,400 in 2023). In 2005 The Pontiac Sunfire had a base price of $15,205 (equivalent to $23,700 in 2023).
1995-1999 Pontiac Sunfire sedan
1995-1999 Pontiac Sunfire SE coupe
1995-1999 Pontiac Sunfire convertible
2001 Pontiac Sunfire GT coupe rear
2000-2002 Pontiac Sunfire sedan
2000-2002 Pontiac Sunfire coupe
2003-2005 Pontiac Sunfire SL sedan
2003-2005 Pontiac sunfire coupe
Referencesedit
^"2002 Pontiac Sunfire Review, Prices, Photos". New Car Test Drive. Retrieved 2010-04-02.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pontiac Sunfire.
The J-body Organization
January 01, 1970
pontiac, sunfire, compact, pontiac, that, introduced, 1995, model, year, replace, sunbird, only, name, changed, dramatic, styling, changes, were, included, well, styling, shared, with, redesigned, chevrolet, cavalier, platform, updated, structurally, meet, mor. The Pontiac Sunfire is a compact car by Pontiac that was introduced for the 1995 model year to replace the Sunbird Not only was the name changed but dramatic styling changes were included as well The new styling was shared with the redesigned Chevrolet Cavalier The J platform was updated structurally to meet more stringent safety standards for the 1996 model year Pontiac SunfireOverviewManufacturerPontiac General Motors Production1994 2005Model years1995 2005AssemblyLansing Michigan United States convertible only Lordstown Ohio United States Ramos Arizpe Coahuila MexicoBody and chassisClassCompact sport CompactBody style2 door convertible 2 door coupe 4 door sedanLayoutFF layoutPlatformJ bodyRelatedChevrolet CavalierPowertrainEngine2 2 L LN2 OHV I42 2 L L61 DOHC I42 3 L LD2 DOHC I42 4 L LD9 DOHC I4Transmission5 speed manual 3 4 speed automaticDimensionsWheelbase104 1 in 2 644 mm Length1995 97 Sedan amp 2000 05 Coupe 182 in 4 623 mm 1998 99 Sedan 181 7 in 4 615 mm 1995 99 Coupe amp Convertible 181 9 in 4 620 mm 2000 02 Sedan 181 8 in 4 618 mm 2003 05 Sedan 183 2 in 4 653 mm WidthConvertible amp 1995 97 Coupe 67 4 in 1 712 mm 1995 97 Sedan 67 3 in 1 709 mm 1998 2005 Coupe amp Convertible 68 4 in 1 737 mm Sedan 67 9 in 1 725 mm Height1998 2005 Coupe 53 in 1 346 mm 1998 2005 Sedan 54 7 in 1 389 mm 1998 2005 Convertible 53 7 in 1 364 mm 1995 97 Coupe 53 2 in 1 351 mm 1995 97 Sedan 54 8 in 1 392 mm 1995 97 Convertible 51 9 in 1 318 mm Curb weight2 605 lb 1 182 kg ChronologyPredecessorPontiac SunbirdSuccessorPontiac G5 The Pontiac Sunfire went through two facelifts in its 11 year run a small redesign in 2000 featuring the heavy plastic cladding look that was prevalent with Pontiac at the time and a more streamlined update in 2003 In the US the coupe was the only model available from 2003 to 2005 The sedan continued to be sold in Canada and Mexico until the end of production on June 22 2005 GM replaced the Sunfire with the G5 for the 2006 model year in Canada and the 2007 model year in the United States Contents 1 Technical 2 Trim levels 3 References 4 External linksTechnical edit1995 2 3 L 138 cu in Quad 4 RPO LD2 I4 150 hp 116 kW and 150 lb ft 203 N m 1995 1997 2 2 L 134 cu in 2200 RPO LN2 I4 120 hp 89 kW and 130 lb ft 176 N m 1998 2002 2 2 L 134 cu in 2200 RPO LN2 I4 115 hp 86 kW and 135 lb ft 183 N m 1996 2002 2 4 L 146 cu in Twin Cam RPO LD9 I4 150 hp 112 kW and 155 lb ft 210 N m 2002 2005 2 2 L 134 cu in Ecotec RPO L61 I4 140 hp 104 kW and 150 lb ft 203 N m The base model had the 2 2 L engine from 1994 until 2002 The GT trim level had an optional more powerful 2 3 L Quad 4 engine from 1994 to 1995 which was replaced by the 2 4 L LD9 engine in 1995 The 2 3 and 2 4 litre engines were optional in the 2 and 4 door LS trim level In 2003 both the 2 2 L and the 2 4 L engines were replaced by the 2 2 L Ecotec engine and would be the only powertrain available for the remainder of production The Ecotec engine was also an option for the 2002 model year 1 nbsp 1997 Pontiac Sunfire Twin Cam engine nbsp 2003 Pontiac Sunfire Ecotec engine At the time of introduction the Sunfire was available with a three speed automatic or a five speed manual General Motors had envisioned introducing a new four speed automatic with the new car but the company s cash shortage delayed this option until the next year Trim levels editThe Sunfire could be purchased as a sedan coupe or convertible All three variations came in the standard SE trim level An upscale GT trim level was available on the coupe and convertible The GT trim level came standard with the 2 3 litre LD2 engine from 1994 to 1995 or the 2 4 litre LD9 Twin Cam engine 1996 2002 16 inch alloy wheels dual exhaust and a more aggressive looking front fascia The SE trim was the standard for the Sunfire which included the 2 2 litre 2200 OHV Engine The 2 3 2 4 DOHC Engine was optional Both the SE and GT trim levels were dropped after the 2002 model year along with the 2 2 OHV and 2 4 DOHC engines The 2 2 litre Ecotec was the only available engine as of the 2002 model year 2 Originally the convertible was only in the SE trim level until the 1999 model year where it became only available in the GT trim The convertible was discontinued after the 2000 model year All Sunfire convertibles were assembled at the Genesis Lansing Michigan Plant 2 At its introduction from 1995 until 2001 the rear of the vehicle on coupes has the brand name Pontiac between the tail lights and the trim panel is backlit when the vehicle is on using license plate bulbs installed in the trunk As vehicles are passed from one owner to another the panel is not illuminated due to the owners not being aware of the feature Prices in 1995 Range from A base sedan at 10 243 equivalent to 20 500 in 2023 all the way to a 14 195 coupe GT equivalent to 28 400 in 2023 In 2005 The Pontiac Sunfire had a base price of 15 205 equivalent to 23 700 in 2023 nbsp 1995 1999 Pontiac Sunfire sedan nbsp 1995 1999 Pontiac Sunfire SE coupe nbsp 1995 1999 Pontiac Sunfire convertible nbsp 2001 Pontiac Sunfire GT coupe rear nbsp 2000 2002 Pontiac Sunfire sedan nbsp 2000 2002 Pontiac Sunfire coupe nbsp 2003 2005 Pontiac Sunfire SL sedan nbsp 2003 2005 Pontiac sunfire coupeReferences edit 2002 Pontiac Sunfire Review Prices Photos New Car Test Drive Retrieved 2010 04 02 a b Pontiac Sunfire Review Edmunds com Retrieved 2010 04 02 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pontiac Sunfire General Motors Sport Compact Forums The J body Organization Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Pontiac Sunfire amp oldid 1194386746, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
