Chevrolet Sprint

Chevrolet Sprint
Manufacturer	Suzuki Motor Corporation Colmotores
Parent company	General Motors
Production	1985–1988 (US) 1985-1991 (Canada) 1987-2004 (Colombia)
Assembly	Hamamatsu, Japan Bogotá, Colombia
Successor	Geo Metro
Class	Subcompact
Layout	FF layout
Platform	M-body
Engine(s)	1.0 L I3 1.0 L turbocharged I3
Transmission(s)	3-speed automatic 5-speed manual

First generation
Also called	Pontiac Firefly Suzuki Forsa
Production	1985–1988
Body style(s)	3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback
Wheelbase	3-Door: 88.4 in (2245 mm) 5-Door: 92.3 in (2344 mm)
Length	Hatchback: 144.5 in (3670 mm) 5-Door: 148.4 in (3769 mm)
Width	Hatchback: 60.2 in (1529 mm) Turbo: 60.8 in (1544 mm)
Height	53.1 in (1349 mm)
Curb weight	1565 lb (710 kg) - 1620 lb (735 kg)
Related	Suzuki Cultus Suzuki Forsa Suzuki Swift

Second generation (Canada only)
Also called	Geo Metro Pontiac Firefly
Production	1989–1991
Body style(s)	3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback
Wheelbase	5-door: 2365 mm (93.1 in) 3-door & Convertible: 2265 mm (89.2 in)
Length	5-door: 3810 mm (150 in) 3-Door & Convertible: 3710 mm (146.1 in)
Width	1575 mm (62 in) Convertible: 62.7 in (1593 mm)
Height	5-door: 1380 mm (54.3 in) 3-door: 1355 mm (53.3 in) Convertible: 52.0 in (1321 mm)
Related	Suzuki Swift Suzuki Cultus

First and Second edition (Colombia only)
Production	1987–1988 1989-2004
Body style(s)	5-door hatchback
Wheelbase	92.3 in (2344 mm)
Length	148.4 in (3769 mm)
Width	o: 60.8 in (1544 mm)
Height	53.1 in (1349 mm)
Curb weight	1620 lb (735 kg)
Related	Suzuki Forsa Chevrolet Swift

The Chevrolet Sprint was a rebadged version of the Suzuki Cultus sold in the United States, Canada and Colombia. 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 "Sprint" and "Sprint Metro" were different. The Sprint Metro had a 50 mpg (US) (4.7 L/100 km/60 mpg imp) rating, while the Sprint was just 48 mpg (US) (4.9 L/100 km/58 mpg imp). Both were computer controlled carb systems.

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 Canadian market until 1992, the car retained the Chevrolet Sprint name for another three model years in Canada.

From 1985 to 1988, the carbureted 1.0 L 3-cylinder engine used a hemispherical head design. The 1986 model was documented at 60 mpg (US) (3.9 L/100 km/72 mpg imp) on the highway. Later, as fuel injection was mandated, the cylinder head for the 1989 was redesigned to add the additional cooling required, which reduced gas mileage. 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.