Geo/Chevrolet Prizm
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Geo/Chevrolet Prizm | |
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| Manufacturer | NUMMI |
| Parent company | General Motors |
| Also called | Geo Prizm Chevrolet Prizm |
| Production | 1989–2002 |
| Assembly | Fremont, California |
| Predecessor | Chevrolet Nova |
| Class | Subcompact (1989-1992) Compact (1993-2002) |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | GM S platform(Toyota AE92, AE102 Platforms) |
| First generation | |
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| Also called | Geo Prizm Toyota Sprinter Toyota Corolla Seca |
| Production | 1989–1992 |
| Body style(s) | 4-door sedan 5-door hatchback |
| Engine(s) | 1.6 L 4A-FE I4 1.6 L 4A-GE I4, 105 hp |
| Transmission(s) | 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 95.7 in (2431 mm) |
| Length | 170.7 in (4336 mm) |
| Width | 65.2 in (1656 mm) |
| Height | 52.4 in (1331 mm) |
| Related | Toyota Corolla Toyota Sprinter Toyota Celica Toyota Paseo Toyota Tercel Holden Nova Toyota Cressida Toyota MR2 |
| Second generation | |
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| Also called | Geo Prizm |
| Production | 1993–1997 |
| Body style(s) | 4-door sedan |
| Engine(s) | 1.6 L 4A-FE I4, 105 hp 1.8 L 7A-FE I4, 115 hp |
| Transmission(s) | 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 97.0 in (2464 mm) |
| Length | 173.0 in (4394 mm) |
| Width | 66.3 in (1684 mm) |
| Height | 53.3 in (1354 mm) |
| Related | Toyota Corolla Toyota Tercel Toyota Celica Toyota Paseo Toyota RAV4 Holden Nova Toyota MR2 |
| Third Generation | |
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| Also called | Chevrolet Prizm,Toyota Corolla |
| Production | 1998–2002 |
| Body style(s) | 4-door sedan |
| Engine(s) | 1.8 L 1ZZ-FE I4, 126 hp |
| Transmission(s) | 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 97.1 in (2466 mm) |
| Length | 174.2 in (4425 mm) |
| Width | 66.7 in (1694 mm) |
| Height | 53.7 in (1364 mm) |
| Related | Toyota Corolla Toyota Celica Toyota RAV4 Toyota Paseo Toyota Tercel Toyota MR2 |
The Geo/Chevrolet Prizm (Chevrolet Prizm after 1997) was a United States-market entry-level compact car from model years 1989 through 2002. Like the 1985-1988 Chevrolet Nova it replaced, the Prizm was a rebadged version of the Toyota Sprinter, an upmarket version of the Toyota Corolla sold in Japan. All Prizms were built at NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc), a joint venture plant between Toyota and General Motors in Fremont, California that builds General Motors cars with Toyota. The Prizm was introduced in 1989 as a replacement for the Chevrolet Nova, another NUMMI-built car based on the Sprinter. The Prizm was introduced by GM for Chevrolet's new Geo brand of import cars. The hatchback version sold from 1990 to 1991 was a rebadged version of the Toyota Corolla Seca.
The Geo Prizm's 1993 redesign gave it more room, an upgrade to EPA "compact" car status, and a new 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine optional in LSi trim (most cars had 1.6L engines). The next-generation Prizm's 1998 debut coincided with the conversion of all Geos into Chevrolets that year.
Although Prizms were virtually identical to Toyota Corollas (aside from small cosmetic differences, a GM Delco radio, and the lack of a rear stabilizer bar), the market never showed them the same respect. In 2006, NADA put the value of a 2002 Prizm at US$7,300 compared to US$9,150 for a nearly identical Toyota. However, this does make it a good value for an astute Corolla buyer who appreciates the discount that comes with the Geo / Chevy badge.
Another reason for the Prizm's unpopularity might have been in-house competition: it was shorter than the Chevrolet Cavalier yet slightly more expensive. But later on, NUMMI and Chevrolet decided to discontinue production of the Prizm in November 2001 (with 2002 models produced) and retool NUMMI to build the Pontiac Vibe hatchback, a twin of the Toyota Matrix, the station wagon version of the Toyota Corolla. Another version was exported to Japan as the Toyota Voltz. The Matrix succeeded the Corolla wagon, discontinued in 1997.
[edit] Engines
All Prizms were powered by the same engine as the then present Toyota Corolla models.
- 1990–1992 Prizms were powered by the 4A-FE or optional 4A-GE engine.
- 1993–1997 Prizms were powered by the 4A-FE or optional 7A-FE engine.
- 1998-2002 Prizms were equipped with Toyota's 1.8 L 1ZZ-FE I4 engine with VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing - Intelligent) technology included in 2000 through 2002 models.
Overall the Prizm was a very economical compact car, able to maintain fuel economy of 32 mpg city / 37 mpg highway.
[edit] External links
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