Geo Metro

GM began marketing the first generation Cultus in North America as the Chevrolet Sprint. The car was also sold as the Suzuki Forsa, and as the Pontiac Firefly in Canada. The Chevrolet Sprint was sold only in the Western United States until 1986, when nationwide sales in the US commenced. In 1987, the "Metro" name first appeared on a model of the naturally aspirated Chevrolet Sprint: the "Chevrolet Sprint Metro." == First generation (1989–1994) ==

Production of the first Geo Metro models, equivalent to the second generation Suzuki Cultus, began at Suzuki's plant in Hamamatsu, Japan, in late 1988. In 1989, it debuted and replaced the Chevrolet Sprint in the United States. Canadian models continued with the Chevrolet Sprint and Pontiac Firefly nameplates, while the second generation Suzuki Swift replaced the Forsa nameplate. This generation was also marketed by Suzuki as the "Swift" in the United States. The Metro/Swift/Sprint lineup received a facelift, while the Firefly was temporarily discontinued. The first generation Metro was replaced by a rebodied model unique to the North American market. Some pre-production models were handmade, and featured 5-digit odometers. Geo Metro Coupe.jpg|1990–1991 Metro Hatchback 1992 Geo Metro convertible 01.jpg|1992 Metro convertible == Second generation (1995–2001) ==

}} In 1995, the second generation of the Sprint/Metro line in North America—which was the third generation North American "Cultus"—was introduced as a three-door hatchback and four-door sedan, using an adaptation of the longer wheelbase platform from the second generation Cultus for both body configurations. Also designed at GM's Design Center, it carried styling cues similar from the bigger Chevrolet Cavalier and was built on the Suzuki developed M platform with Suzuki drivetrains. These models were marketed only in North America, carrying the nameplates Geo Metro (rebranded the Chevrolet Metro starting in the 1998 model year), Pontiac Firefly, and Suzuki Swift—and sourced only from CAMI Automotive. Thus this version was never sold as a Cultus, which was replaced by the Cultus Crescent in Japan. Production ended after model year 2001. The Chevrolet Metro was used in the 17th Biennale of Sydney (2010) exhibition in an experiment made by Cai Guo-Qiang, a Chinese artist from Fujian, where nine Chevrolet Metros were suspended in the air through animation. Comparison of Generation II/I 3-door hatchback interior dimensions: The second generation Metro featured two engine options. The three-cylinder, 1.0-liter throttle body injected engine, still used on base models, was available for non-LSi models in 1997. The 1.0-liter became the last engine on a vehicle available in the US to use TBI. This generation also offered a revised 1.3-liter inline four-cylinder engine used in the Pontiac Firefly, with multi-point fuel injection (with hydraulic lifters and lash adjusters, and a 30,000-mile service interval). The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) named this generation of Chevrolet Metro and Suzuki Swift as the top two gasoline-fueled vehicles within their Top 12 Greenest Vehicles in 1998 and 1999. ACEEE assigns a Green Score to each vehicle make and model sold in the US, based on the vehicles' exhaust emissions, fuel economy and other specifications. • 1996 – OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics, Second generation) was added to Metro models, at a cost of some fuel efficiency. • 1997 – The last year for the Geo brand. The Metro returned in 1998 with a Chevrolet nameplate. • 1998 – The Metro now carried the Chevrolet nameplate, along with new front and rear fascias and a SOHC 16v design I-4 1.3L engine with a horsepower increase of 12%. Electronic ignition replaced the distributor, and MPFI (Multiport Fuel Injection) replaced the TBI (Throttle Body Injection). The new motor offered more HP, torque, and higher fuel economy. This I-4 engine replaced the older 8v 4 cylinder, but the 3-cylinder engine remained unchanged. • 2001 – The Metro's final year. The only model available this year is the four-door LSi sedan. The Metro continued on sale in Canada. General Motors announces that the Metro would not be included in the 2002 Chevrolet model lineup. CAMI Automotive manufactures the last Metro, a red sedan, on April 26, 2001. Solectria Corporation, based in Massachusetts, converted examples of the first and second generation Geo Metro to electric operation. Approximately 500 examples of 1996 and 1997 models were converted to electric operation—the bare vehicles were provided by GM without engines. Called the Solectria Force and Solectria EV, the converted vehicles featured 3 phase AC induction motors and regenerative braking. The battery pack consists of 13 Group 27 Deka Dominator Sealed Gel Lead Acid modules. 3= 3-dr hatchback 4= 4-dr sedan File:95-97 Geo Metro 3door.jpg|Geo Metro 3-Door, Gen II File:Geo Metro 1995.JPG|Rear of a 1995 Geo Metro hatchback File:1997 Geo Metro Rear 2017.9.10.jpg|1997 Gen II Geo Metro LSI Sedan File:Chevrolet Metro hatchback front.jpg|Chevrolet Metro hatchback, front view File:Chevrolet Metro hatchback rear.jpg|Chevrolet Metro hatchback, rear view File:'95-'97 Suzuki Swift.JPG|'95 - '97 Suzuki Swift, front File:Suzuki Swift 1995-2001.jpg| '95 - '01 Suzuki Swift, rear File:'95-'01 Pontiac Firefly Hatch.jpg|1995–2001 Pontiac Firefly 3dr hatchback, Gen II File:'98-'00 Pontiac Firefly Sedan.JPG|1998–2001 Pontiac Firefly sedan, Gen II File:1995-2001 Pontiac Firefly Sedan.jpg|1995–2001 Pontiac Firefly sedan. Safety US second generation models received the following NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program ratings: • Front Impact, Driver: • Front Impact, Passenger: Test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 4 = 10–20% • See NHTSA Test Results: 1995 Geo Metro == Fuel economy ==

In North America, the Metro received increased interest as a used car in 2008, by virtue of its fuel mileage and rising fuel costs. Partially because of the renewed interest in the Metro, the July 2009 issue of Car and Driver included a base model 1998 Chevrolet Metro 3-door hatchback among vehicles tested for fuel efficiency alongside two hybrid models: the redesigned Honda Insight and Toyota Prius models. Car and Driver yet jokingly ridiculed the Metro's age and equipment, docking seven points from its overall score for its lack of amenities and mentioning that it was originally sold brand-new without hubcaps. Regardless, the Metro tied the Prius for best overall fuel economy at . The vehicle finished third overall behind the Insight and Prius. The vehicle is often used as a test-bed to field various fuel efficiency technology, such as the 2007 university based Cornell 100+ MPG Team. It was also converted into a salt racer in 2012 by Clay Pitkin. == References ==