1992 PONTIAC FIREBIRD DRIVER

1992 PONTIAC FIREBIRD DRIVER

Car and Driver declared 'America's latest shot at a modern GT coupe. Handling was deemed softer than Camaro's, more European in nature. Road & Track called the fuel-injected Trans Am 'a dramatic improvement on predecessors,' managing a 0-60 time of 9.2 seconds-sluggish compared to muscle cars of a decade earlier, but swift by 1982 standards. At least Pontiac offered a hotter option, borrowed from Corvette: a 305 V-8 with dual throttle-body ('Cross-Fire') fuel injection, rated at 165 horsepower. Trans Am again served as performance king, even if its standard carbureted 305-cid (5.0-liter) V-8 delivered a rather feeble 145 horses. Wheelbase shrunk by seven inches overall length by eight width by one.įor details on the 1982, continue on to the next page. Design goals included keeping the cockpit as spacious as before, while reducing outside dimensions. Out back, coil springs replaced multi-leaf units.įront-wheel drive had been considered, but the ponycars stuck instead to traditional rear-drive. Sleeker and swoopier, lighter and less bulky than before, Firebird benefited from what Pontiac expert John Gunnell described as 'space-age engineering.' Underneath, modified MacPherson struts replaced the old wishbone-style front suspension.

Several automakers had revived convertibles in the works, but there would be no openįirebird until the end of this third generation. All were 'glassback' coupes, with a rear hatch instead of a trunk lid. Some models wore full-width, smoked-lens taillamps, creating a blackout effect. Pontiac called attention to its 'sabre-like nose and rakish tail.' Once again, Firebird adopted a more rounded profile than Camaro, exemplified by the soft S-curves over each fender. Differences included a low-riding nose with shallow twin grilles within air slots, plus hidden headlamps-employed previously on Camaros, but a Firebird 'first.'

Stylists under John Schinella again maintained Firebird's distinctive look, despite its continued tie to Camaro.

1992 pontiac firebird