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Pontiac Sunfire

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Pontiac Sunfire
Pontiac
Production 1995-2005
Class Subcompact
Body Style 2-Door Coupe
2-Door Convertible
4-Door Sedan
Length 180.9"
Width 68.7"
Height 53"
Wheelbase 104.1"
Weight 2500-2800 lbs
Transmission 5-Speed Manual, FWD
4-Speed Automatic, FWD
Engine 2.2L (134 cid) I4
2.4L (138 cid) I4
Power 120-150 hp
Similar Chevrolet Cavalier
Platform J

The Pontiac Sunfire was introduced in the 1995 model year as the subcompact car 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 Chevrolet Cavalier, though Chevrolet did not change the Cavalier name. Also during this time, the J platform was updated structurally to meet more stringent safety standards. The Sunfire could be purchased as a 2-door coupe, 4-door sedan or a convertible. The Sunfire name was recycled from the Canada-only Asüna Sunfire sold only in 1993.

The Sunfire was available in standard or GT trim. The GT package was 2-door only and included a sporty front bumper, fog lights, twin exhausts, 16-inch alloy wheels and the more powerful 2.4 engine. The convertible would be dropped after 2000, and the 4-door sedan was dropped after 2002 - only the coupe remained from 2003 to 2005 becoming, oddly, the only two-door car on Pontiac's lineup between the demise of the Firebird in 2002 and the relaunch of the GTO in 2004.

The base model had the 2.2L (134 cid) I4 engine from 1995 until 2002. The sporty GT model had a much more powerful 2.3L engine in 1995, which was replaced by an even more powerful 2.4 L engine in 1996. A 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission could be had with either engine. In 2003, both the 2.2 and 2.4 engines were replaced by the new 2.2 and 2.4L Ecotec - base engines remained at 12 hp while the 2.4 dropped 10 hp to 140. The Ecotec was also available as an option in late 2002. 2003 models got a new nose with a new grille and revised taillights. No real changes to speak of for either 2004 or 2005, which would be the Sunfire's last. It would be replaced in 2007 by the G5.

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