After a close call with extinction , the Firebird ’s future now seemed ascertain with the 1993 Pontiac Firebird .
In attempting to retake its flock of lose customers - and to ensnare a throng of freshman - Firebird demanded more than a freshening . rather of a ornamental face lifting , it required a unexampled shape . Rather than relying on style and public presentation images from the past , it needed to stare at the future tense .
Pontiac Firebird Image Gallery
Yes , it would have to make upon the ponycar custom that had commenced way back in themuscle - carworld of the Sixties . But heritage was n’t enough . This would have to be a Fire - razzing aimed squarely at the Nineties , but one that did n’t neglect its carefully nourish condition as an self-propelled legend .
surprisingly , the conspicuously restyled Firebird that appeared at Detroit ’s auto show in January 1993 seemed to have succeeded on all count . As the richly rounded 2 + 2 coupe kick the bucket on sale , Road & Track magazine declared the bluff new Firebird a " reaffirmation of the ponycar concept . . . updated with Nineties technology . " Motor Trend concurred , noting that while Camaro and Firebird were clearly new , they kept " one technical leg planted securely in a fun - occupy past . "
That technology encompassed an updated concern for safety features . Air bagsfor both the equipment driver and front passenger were standard on every Firebird . Anti - lock brakingwas available for the first time , and 5 - mph bumpers were installed ( beating the 2.5 - mph federal requirement ) .
Just how novel was this latest Firebird ? Pontiac claimed that only 10 percent of its subject carried over from 1992 .
Performance also earn a great deal of attention . Engine choice dipped to two , but both were more brawny than their predecessor . Base Firebirds carried a V-6 again , but this one send away 3.4 liters ( enlarge from the previous 3.1 - litre engine ) . Running with sequentialfuel shot , it delivered an impressive 160 horsepower-20 more than the last 3.1 V-6 .
Both the 5.0 - liter V-8s and the former 5.7 were die , but standard on Formula and Trans Am was a 275 - HP 5.7 - liter V-8 . Tagged LT1 ( identical to the Corvette appellation ) , the modernized big V-8 yield 25 fewer horsepower than a ' Vette interlingual rendition - but that was still 35 more than the top Firebird locomotive engine of ' 92 . Trans Am was ab initio a rule - based appearing / trimming option rather than a separate model , and the GTA edition was history . Nevertheless , this was the most herculean regular - production Firebird since the Super - Duty 455 of 1973 - 74 .
A five - speed gearbox was standard again on the base of operations model , while V-8 redbird employed a new six - speed . Unlike the Corvette ’s six - speed , this one did n’t automatically switch from first cogwheel to quaternary under light throttle ( a fuel - economy measure ) . A four - speedautomatic transmissionremained optional .
Chevrolet ’s Camaro again shared Firebird ’s under - the - pelt applied science and powertrains . Traditional rear - steering wheel drive continued , on the same introductory platform with a 101 - inch wheelbase . Only a three - door Firebird hatchback door start on cut-rate sale in the first season , but a convertible was plan - and intend to arrive during the 1994 role model year .
If you want to learn more about muscle cars and Firebirds, check out these pages:
1993 Pontiac Firebird Styling
Styling for the 1993 Pontiac Firebird was greatly influence by the dramatic Banshee IV , which tour car show in 1988 , and also by the " California Camaro " that had been create by the Advanced Concepts Center . principal designer John R. Folden subsequently explained that Chuck Jordan , GM ’s now - retired head of styling , suggest the staff to " Be brave . "
In a startling departure from conventional practice , head Camaro room decorator John A. Cafaro Jr. met regularly with Folden to exchange ideas . Old competition would n’t be allowed to stand up in the way of advancement . technology development was credit to team under Ted Robertson , Harvey Bell , and Norm Fugate .
Brave they all were , but practical as well . The curvaceous unexampled body was half an in longer , two inches wider , and two inches taller than its ' 92 predecessor . Interior dimensions stay nearly monovular , with a tinge more headway in both front and back . A steeply raked ( 68 - grade ) windshield served as a focal point . rearward spoilers - criterion even on the base manikin - held a built - in luxuriously - mounted stop lamp .
Pinpointing the coupe ’s squarish wheel archway and pointed nozzle , Road & Trackclaimed that it ranked nigher in relationship to the first - generation Firebird than to its immediate predecessors . In any case , with such an self-asserting , eye - seize visibility , there was little more indigence for flash decal and doodads .
Since the beginning , scarlet tanager had been made strictly of steel . Not anymore . Rust- , ding- , and dent - resistive composite material was utilize for most outer organic structure panel , except the rear fender and strong-armer . Body stiffness was claim to be 20 percent better , allowing few squeaks and rattle – a common complaint against older Firebirds .
MacPherson struts departed from the frontsuspension , supercede by a short-/long - arm configuration , with received De Carbon gas - charge shock absorbers . interruption were thus soften somewhat to glide more easy over bumps , yet managed to retain their legendary manipulation prowess . The switch also allow a low-pitched cowl and hood . Power rack - and - pinionsteeringousted the old - fashioned recirculating - clod setup , make more accurate mastery and " experience . "
Inside , a reworked dashboard with domed instrument instrument panel made the full analogue gauges easy to see , and radio / clime controls more commodious to attain . Rear tooshie space grow a bit , but remained a sore spot - literally so for grownup . Cargo quad also grow , but can charitably be distinguish only as light . Standard accommodation let in a low - oil color warning .
1993 Pontiac Firebird Technical Improvements
What about technical betterment for the 1993 Pontiac Firebird ? They set out from a fortified rubber John Cage structure and installation of Solar Ray glass to enhanced larceny resistance . A delayed electric relay handicap the door and rear hatch power - unlock function 30 seconds after being locked from outdoors . melodic phrase conditioner incorporate CFC - gratuitous refrigerant .
Easily - removable exterior panels would let simplified service . Wiperswere designed to adhere to the windshield at 100 mph , and shut off on command ( with no extra swipe)-a minor point that nevertheless reflected Pontiac ’s desire to eliminate annoyances . Doors were designed to require 40 - percent less sweat when closing , and the radio andpower windowsoperated for a while after shutting off theignition . The roomier glovebox supposedly was " plan to make Detroit scandalmongering Thomas Nelson Page . " Optional T - superlative now included a trunk depot rack .
But down to the nitty - gritty : Did the modern Firebird ’s actual " go " match its sensational new warrant ? Well , acceleration ranked as more than adequate with V-6 might , but utterly stellar with a V-8 under foot . Motor Trendmanaged to hit 60 miles per hour in 6.1 seconds with a Formula edition . " Formula has 99 percent of the Corvette ’s carrying out at half the price , " they explained , " plus it ’s get a back seat . "
Road & Trackregistered 0 - 60 clock time of 6.3 second gear with its manual - chemise Trans Am . Testers forCar and Driverbeat those figures with their six - speed Formula , reaching the 60 - miles per hour mark in 5.4 second gear and sprinting through the quarter - mile in 14.2 ( at 99 mph ) . Firebird is the " piece we ’ve all lust after , " they assert , " knowing it was too salacious ever to chance . " But happen it did .
regrettably , wet - weather traction go forward to be a Firebird defect . Sure , a V-6 Firebird could be control well enough , but the high - operation poser could be a awful handful on silken pavement – just as they ’d been for more than two decades . grip control was anticipated , but would n’t arrive until afterward in the 1994 mannikin yr – and then as an option only on take models .
1993 Pontiac Firebird Marketing
1993 Pontiac Firebird marketing was all about up - marketing . Starting at $ 13,995 , the base Firebird ranked as a regular bargain by 1993 standards . Another $ 4,000 bought a Formula edition , while the Trans Am software system sent the total to $ 21,395 . drop in a few accessory , of course , and those figure could easy jump by several thousand dollars .
Like other automakers , Pontiac had specific target markets for each model . Base Firebirds take at college - educated unity , mostly female , with incomes over $ 35,000 . In short , citizenry who might otherwise choose a Ford Mustang LX , Nissan 240SX , Ford Probe , or Dodge Stealth . Single men were the top prospects for the Formula . With options like mellow - performance tires and an alternative axle proportion , a Formula Firebird could deliver " as much muscleman as the Trans Am without as hefty a cost . " And , swop downplay , minimalist subtlety for pretentious dynamism , it lacked the aero ADHD - ons that attracted more attending than some owners preferred .
Trans Am purchaser would be mostly manful ( as before ) . For their extra dollar , they ’d encounter what Pontiac described as " [ u]nprecedented performance , control and excitement with a bold mesomorphic appearance and feature film required in a gamy execution mutant railroad car for the 90s . " Trans Ams display a pedestal - mounted rear mollycoddler and aero side skirt , as well as an drawn-out beak with integrated foglamps .
Jack Folden , Exterior Studio II design chief , explained that the restyled Firebird had " an international design sapidity to it , and yet it very much says , ' I ’m an American and proud of it . ' " Considering that long - standing " all - American " image , some client may have been surprised to take that the up-to-the-minute Firebirds ( and Camaros ) herald from Canada , build at Ste . Therese , Quebec , rather of in California .
Fuel economy never had been a crowing merchandising full point for ponycars of any stripe . Even so , the V-8 ’s EPA evaluation of 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway could be equalled in real - public driving - allow that one ’s foot did n’t tip too intemperately on the flatulency pedal .
" drive excitation " continued as the theme in Pontiac advertizing , but evolving to " embrace ' 90s sensibilities . " Most advertising featured the $ 17,995 Formula . Even so , the base coupe chair in sales intensity , offering " spirited V6 performance with styling that ’s head - turning yet advanced and invoke to both import and domestic intenders of sporty car . "
" Pontiacs are bluff , purposeful , acrobatic , and personal , " insist the sectionalisation ’s general managing director , John Middlebrook , as the ' 93 Firebird debuted . He noted the car ’s " fast-growing exterior , gadget driver - oriented inside , powerful powertrains and exact handling intermission system . "
By the sentence the first unexampled Firebirds went on sale , SLP Engineering was prepare a soup - up Firehawk version , just as they ’d done for the last of the third generation . This clock time , the cost was a luck more modest ( $ 24,244 ) ; but pack 300 horse , a Firehawk could launch the 0 - 60 dash in 4.9 seconds and devour the quartern - knot in 13.5 ( reaching 103.5 miles per hour ) . Few driver needed to achieve such velocity , of line ; but it was dainty to know that such feat were possible .
1994 Pontiac Firebird
For the 1994 model year , the 5.7 - liter V-8 adopt sequentialfuel injection , but retained the same horsepower / torque ratings . Trans Am became a freestanding model , contribute a GT variant , for a full four - model lineup . The GT had so many stock feature , Pontiac proclaimed , mat only five choice were pop the question .
An electronically controlled four - speedautomatic transmissionwith driver - selectable controls replaced the former hydraulic unit of measurement . gadget driver could prefer " normal " or " performance " modality on Formula / Trans Am , or " normal " or " second gear kickoff " ( blow ) modes on home Firebirds . " 2nd gear head start " reduce great power to the drive wheels during initial speedup . Mean - while , the six - speed manual gear box added a constrained first - to - fourth - gear geological fault under light speedup , like Corvette ’s .
Pontiac promise to tender grip controller as an alternative later in the model twelvemonth , but only for V-8s with robotlike . The system would detect tire spin at either drive wheel , get rid of slippage via control lotion ofbrakesand reducing of engine torque .
Another midyear addition was a twenty-fifth Anniversary Trans Am decked out in white paint with a bold blue grade insignia go nose - to - tail - much in keeping with the original Trans Am ’s semblance dodging . Other exterior styling pool cue included livid five - spoke aluminum wheels and an assortment of special decals and badges . Inside , blank leather seats ( as well as the blank door panels ) frolic blue " 25th Trans Am " embroider . According to introductory press material , variance manager John G. Middlebrook proclaimed that " Pontiac will only build around 2,000 of the highly contented 25th Anniversary Trans Ams . "
