Pontiac Astre

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Pontiac Astre
Pontiac
aka
Production	1975-1977
Class	Subcompact
Body Style	2-Door Coupe, 3-Door Hatchback, 3-Door Wagon
Length	length - type here
Width	Width - type here
Height	Height - type here
Wheelbase	97"
Weight	2500-2800 lbs
Transmission	3-Speed Manual, RWD 4-Speed Manual, RWD 3-Speed Automatic, RWD
Engine	2.3L (140 cid) I4 (1975-1977) 2.5L (151 cid) I4 (1977)
Power	72-90 hp @ N/A rpm N/A lb-ft of torque @ N/A rpm
Similar	similar (competition)
Designer	Designer (lead designer if it was a team effort)

The Pontiac Astre was introduced in September 1974. Pontiac's version of the Chevrolet Vega was offered as a Notchback, Hatchback and Safari Wagon models. Astre Panel Delivery was also offered, only in 1975. SJ models (hatchback and wagon) are luxuriously appointed. GT models (hatchback and wagon) and 'Lil Wide Track' and Formula (hatchbacks) offered a choice of sporty models.

The Astre was produced through 1977. Vega's aluminum-block 2.3L L4 engine was Astre's powertrain in 1975-1976. For Aste's final year, it has Pontiac's own cast-iron 2.5L L4, known as the "Iron Duke".

A unique Lil Wide Track package was offered in 1975. It included a front air dam, rear spoiler, appliance wire mag rims, window louvers, a chrome exhaust tip, and bright stripe decals for the hood, body sides, rear spoiler, door handles, and wheel centers. The package added a little over $400 to the price of the Astre but dealers felt the difference in looks was worth the price. Production was switched from an old warehouse in suburban Detroit to a factory beside the Lordstown Ohio GM plant where the Astre and Vega were made. An estimated 3000 Lil Wide track Astres were ordered by dealerships and eventually the package components were offered as a dealer installed kit. For its final year, the 1977 Astre featured Pontiac's own 151 cu in (2.5 L) 'Iron-Duke' inline-4 and received a facelift with a new vertical design split grill, Aluminum wheels (13") was a new option. Astre Formula was introduced, which included the handling package, chrome valve cover, three-piece spoiler, Formula T/A steering wheel and special decals.

Car and Driver in a 1975 Astre road test, said, "For $180 over the price of a Vega, the Astre features upgraded interior trim-primarily the items for which Chevrolet charges $134 in their custom interior. You also have the opportunity to go one big step up in luxury if you choose the SJ line which is available in hatchback and wagon body styles."

Car and Driver in a 1977 Astre road test, said, "The Astre is the Vega-polished and refined and significantly improved, but still a Vega in perhaps its ultimate state of development..It remained for Pontiac to do what Chevrolet probably should have done in the first place: the substitution of the marvelous old Chevy II cast-iron four-cylinder econo-motor for the much-troubled aluminum-block Vega engine..."

See the Chevrolet Vega entry for further comments about the Pontiac Astre.

See Wikicars' comprehensive Pontiac Astre Review.

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• Car Domain: Pontiac Astre

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