The second generation, introduced in 1989, had been designed at GM's Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, USA, and was designated the GM M platform. Equipped with engines and drivetrains developed by Suzuki, The second generation offered new styling and four wheel independent strut suspension. A turbocharged version remained fairly popular in Canada, which was the only market for the version.
The first European Generation II model was a "Suzuki Swift" manufactured in September 1992 in Esztergom, Hungary. Updates in 1996 followed, and model year 2000 modifications included a version fitted with the same Suzuki 4 wheel drive system that had been available in the Japanese market and badged as the Subaru Justy. The last modifications were made on the European Gen II from model year 2002 but only for the Hungarian market. The production of the 3-dr models ended in September 2002. In the same year, in December, the 4dr sedan version was also discontinued. The last variation was a 5dr version in March 2003.
Generation II of the Cultus remains in production today in China and Pakistan.
Subaru Justy, circa 2000, a Generation II Cultus derivative manufactured at Magyar Suzuki, Hungary.
Suzuki Cultus Generation II, GM M platform:
Nameplate Market Body
1989-1998 Suzuki Cultus Japan 2/3/4/5
1989-1994 Suzuki Swift N. America 3/4
1989-2004 Suzuki Swift Europe 2/3/4/5 a.
1991-2004 Chevrolet Swift Colombia 3/4 b.
1989-1994 Pontiac Firefly Canada all
1989-1994 Geo Metro N. America 2/3/5 c.
1988–1994 Holden Barina Australia 3/5 d.
1990–1994 Maruti Suzuki 1000 India 4
1995–2007 Maruti Suzuki Esteem India 4
1995–2003 Subaru Justy Europe 3/5 e.
19—2008 Suzuki Cultus Pakistan 5 f.
19—2007 Chang'an Suzuki Lingyang China 4
2= 2-dr convertible
3= 3-dr hatchback
4= 4-dr sedan
5= 5-dr hatchback
un = unknown
a. Manufactured at Magyar Suzuki
b. Imported to Colombia
c. Geo branded models in US after 1989, in Canada after 1992
d. MF, MH: only generations of 'Cultus-derived' Barina
e. Justy JMA/MS, manufactured at Magyar Suzuki
f. Manufactured at Paksuzuki
Safety
US Generation II models received the following NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program ratings:
* Front Impact, Driver: 3/5 stars Safety Concern: High likelihood of thigh injury
* Front Impact, Passenger: 3/5 stars
See NHTSA Test Results: 1994 Geo Metro
See Video: 1993 Geo Metro Canadian Crash Test
[edit] Generation III
Generation III Chevrolet Metro sedan
Also called Geo Metro (1995-1997)
Chevrolet Metro (1998-2001)
Pontiac Firefly
Suzuki Swift
Production 1995–2001
Assembly Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada
Body style(s) 3-door hatchback
4-door sedan
Layout FF layout
Platform M platform
Engine(s) 1.0L 55 hp (41 kW) I3
1.3L 70 hp (52 kW) I4
1.3L 79 hp (59 kW) I4
Transmission(s) 5-speed manual
3-speed automatic
Wheelbase 93.1 in (2365 mm)
Length 149.4 in (3795 mm) (Hatchback)
164.0 in (4166 mm) (Sedan)
Width 62.6 in (1590 mm)
Height 54.7 in (1389 mm) (Hatchback)
55.4 in (1407 mm) (Sedan)
Fuel capacity 10.6 US gal (40.1 L; 8.8 imp gal)
The third generation of the Cultus was introduced in 1995 as a 3-door hatchback and 4-door sedan — using an adaptation of the longer wheelbase platform from Generation II for both body configurations. Also designed at GM's Technical Center and built on the GM M platform with drivetrains developed by Suzuki, Generation III models were marketed only in North America, carrying the nameplates Geo Metro (later re-branded the Chevrolet Metro), Pontiac Firefly and Suzuki Swift — and sourced only from CAMI Automotive. Production ended after model year 2001.
Comparison of Generation III/II 3-door hatchback interior dimensions:
Gen III Gen II
Front Headroom (in.) 39.10 37.80
Rear Headroom (in.) 36.00 36.50
Front Legroom (in.) 42.50 42.50
Rear Legroom (in.) 32.80 29.8
The third generation featured two engines, a revised 1.3L 4-cylinder engine (with hydraulic lifters and lash adjusters, and a 30,000-mile service interval[2]) and a 1.0L 3-cylinder engine. Suzuki Swifts were available with only the revised 4-cylinder. The hatchback body configuration featured a three-inch lower liftover height compared to the Generation II model,[2] more in keeping with the liftover height of the Generation I models. Safety equipment included optional anti-lock brakes, safety cage construction with deformable front and rear crush zones and five structural crossbars engineered to spread side impact loads throughout the car's structure,[2] steel side impact door safety beams,[3] and daytime running lights (the Generation III Metro was the first GM car to offer DRLs), and dual frontal airbags. A new, one-piece instrument panel was mounted to one of the five crossmembers (internally called the "bazooka bar") with a new, full seal filling the gap between the instrument panel and the dash.[2] The sedan and coupe chassis were 20% and 5% stiffer respectively than the previous generation 5-door and coupe Metros,[2] and at the time of its introduction, the Metro was the smallest car in the world to meet the impending 1997 North American side impact standards.[2] The revised sedan was also introduced in the United States, replacing the 5-door hatchback. The Generation III featured a coefficient of drag of .32.[3]
At the time of the Generation III introduction, 41% of Metro buyers are first-car buyers, 62% of the buyers were female, and the median age of a Metro buyer was 37.[2]
Suzuki Cultus Generation III, GM M platform:
Nameplate Market Body
1995-2001 Suzuki Swift N. America 3
1995-2001 Pontiac Firefly Canada 3/4
1995-1997 Geo Metro N. America 3/4
1998-2001 Chevrolet Metro USA 3/4
3= 3-dr hatchback
4= 4-dr sedan
[edit] Safety
US Generation III models received the following NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program ratings:
* Front Impact, Driver: 4/5 stars
* Front Impact, Passenger: 4/5 stars
Test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 4 = 10-20%
See NHTSA Test Results: 1996 Geo Metro
See Video: 1998 Canadian Geo Metro Crash Test
[edit] Awards
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) named the Generation III 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.[4][5][6]
