Chevrolet Sprint

Chevrolet Sprint
Overview
Manufacturer	Suzuki Motor Corporation
Production	1985–1988 (US) 1985-1991 (Canada)
Assembly	Hamamatsu, Japan
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact
Platform	FF M-body
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
Powertrain
Engine	1.0 L I3 1.0 L turbocharged I3
Transmission	3-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	Template:Auto in
Length	Template:Auto in
Height	Template:Auto in
Curb weight	Template:Auto lb - Template:Auto lb

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
Powertrain
Engine	1.0 L I3 1.0 L turbocharged I3

The Chevrolet Sprint was a rebadged version of the Suzuki Cultus sold in the United States and Canada. 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 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 Canada market until 1992, the car retained the Chevrolet Sprint name for another three model years in Canada.

From 1985 to 1986, the carbureted 1.0 L 3-cylinder engine used a hemispherical head design. This model was documented at Template:Auto mpg on the highway. Later, as fuel injection was mandated, the cylinder head was redesigned to add the additional cooling required. 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.