Monday, August 31, 2009

Geo Metro Suzuki Cultus





he Geo Metro was a marketing and manufacturing variation of the Suzuki Cultus available in North America from 1989 through 2001 as a joint effort of GM and Suzuki. The Metro, which (in the US) carried a Geo nameplate from 1989 through 1997, and a Chevrolet nameplate from 1998 to 2001, evolved with the Cultus and its siblings over 13 years, three generations and four body styles: 3-door hatchback, 4-door sedan, 5-door hatchback and 2-door convertible — and was ultimately replaced by a family of vehicles based on the Daewoo Kalos.

Following the Chevrolet Sprint, which was based on the Generation I Cultus, the Geo Metro was based first on the Generation II Cultus and then on the Generation III platform — a new platform dedicated solely to the North American market. Generations II and III, appearing in 1989 and 1995 respectively, were designed at GM's Technical Center in Warren, Michigan and were designated the GM M platform, and shared engines and drivetrains developed by Suzuki. Production was Japan-sourced until 1990 manufacture commenced at CAMI Automotive — with Japanese production continuing to source Canadian sedan models.

Solectria, a Massachusetts company, converted examples of the Generation I and Generation II 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 Decca Dominator Sealed Gel Lead Acid modules.[9]

The Metro enjoyed increased interest as a used car in 2008, by virtue of its fuel mileage and rising fuel costs[8] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14].

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. While Car and Driver did jokingly ridicule the age of the car, lack of amenities (The Metro actually lost seven points from its overall score for lack of amenities.), and mentioning that it was originally sold brand-new without hubcaps, the Metro did tie the Prius for best overall fuel economy at 42 MPG. The vehicle finished third overall behind the Insight and Prius.[15]

[edit] Metro engines
Engines for the Metro were from the Suzuki G engine family:

G10: 1.0 L3
In the United States a single engine was available from 1989 through 1994: a 1.0 L I3 engine. Rated at 55 hp (39 kW), the engine achieved 38 city, 45 highway mpg per the revised 2007 EPA mileage standards.

The detuned 49 hp (37 kW) engine in the XFi combined a shorter duration cam, leaner fuel map, two ring pistons, and a higher final drive gear model to achieve 43 city, 51 highway per the revised 2007 EPA mileage standards.

G13: 1.3 L I4
In 1995, with the third generation Metro came the 1.3 L I4 with 70 hp (52 kW). The engine was the same engine that had been in use in the Suzuki Swift (except for the GT models) in prior years. LSi models produced from 1995 onward featured the 4-cylinder engine tuned to produce 79 hp, with the 3-cylinder still used on base models and becoming an option for non-LSi models in 1997.

Canadian Metros had the 1.3 L engine available as an option beginning in 1993 in the 3-door GSi model, and as standard equipment in the sedan (exclusive to the Canadian market at the time: as noted in the previous paragraph, American market Metros were not available in a sedan bodystyle until 1995).

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