| Also called | Chevrolet Tracker (1998 & 1989–1991 Canada) GMC Tracker Asüna/Pontiac Sunrunner Chevrolet Vitara |
|---|---|
| Production | 1989–1998 |
| Assembly | Hamamatsu, Japan Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada Kosai, Japan Ecuador, Ecuador |
| Engine | 1.6 L I4 95 hp |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 3-speed GM Turbo-Hydramatic 180 automatic 4-speed GM M41 (Aisin) automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2-door: 86.6 in (2,200 mm) 4-door: 97.6 in (2,479 mm) |
| Length | 2-door:142.5 in (3,620 mm) (1989–1995) 143.7 in (3,650 mm) (1996–98) 4-door: 158.7 in (4,031 mm) |
| Width | 2-door: 64.2 in (1,631 mm) 4-door: 64.4 in (1,636 mm) |
| Height | 2-door: 65 in (1,651 mm) (1989–1991) 65.6 in (1,666 mm) (1992–93) 64.3 in (1,633 mm) (2WD, 1994–98) 65.1 in (1,654 mm) (4WD 1994–98) 4-door: 65.7 in (1,669 mm) (2WD) 66.5 in (1,689 mm) (4WD) GMC Tracker: 65.8 in (1,671 mm) |
| Related | Suzuki Escudo Suzuki Sidekick Suzuki Samurai Suzuki Vitara Suzuki Jimny Suzuki X-90 |
The Geo Tracker was a mini SUV introduced in late 1988 as a 1989 model. It was developed by CAMI which was a joint venture between General Motors of Canada and Suzuki. North American Models were to be built in Cami's Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada plant alongside its almost identical twin the domestic-built Suzuki Sidekick (Escudo). All 1989 and some 1990 Trackers were built in Japan and imported to the US because of delays at the CAMI factory in Canada. In 1990 production began in Ingersoll and all Trackers were now being built there.
The Tracker was originally powered by Suzuki's 1.6L SOHC 4-cylinder engine producing 80 hp (60 kW). The trim levels in 1989 were base convertible, base 2-door hardtop and LSi hardtop. LSi equipment included Air Conditioner, Chrome Rally Wheels, intermittent wipers, rear window wiper/washer, spare tire cover, 3-speed GM Turbo-Hydramatic 180 automatic transmission, tinted glass, and special red/black front and rear bucket seats. In 1990 the LSi trim was made available on the convertible models also. All Trackers were four-wheel drive until a base two-wheel drive convertible was introduced in 1992. The two-door hardtop models were available until 1995 when they were discontinued to make way for the four-door hardtop wagon that was to be introduced the following year. Although Suzuki started importing Sidekick 4-doors in 1991 CAMI didn't start producing them until the 1996 model year, when America got a 4-door Geo Tracker, now powered by Suzuki's G16B 16-valve 1.6L boasting 96 hp (72 kW). In 1998 the Geo nameplate was merged back into Chevrolet and all Geo Models including the Tracker were rebadged as Chevrolet in 1998.
The Tracker was different from most other light SUVs on the market in that it is based on a rugged light-truck chassis and certified as a Light truck. Although it appeared to be a comfortable passenger SUV, it was bolstered by a sturdy off-road 4-wheel-drive system with a conventional light truck engine and transmission coupled to a hi-lo, 2-4 transfer case. The Tracker had a strong front suspension with a rugged recirculating ball steering box. The conventional front differential was rigidly mounted ahead of the engine, with U-jointed drive-shafts connecting the coil-spring front hubs to the differential case. The rear axle was a conventional light truck unit on coil springs. As a result of the truck-like underpinnings, the Tracker had a fairly truck-like ride, but the benefit was its notable durability in harsh conditions.
The production of the first generation model of the Tracker (and Sidekick) came to an end in Ontario after 1998 in order to make way for the second generation of Tracker/Vitara. However the first generation Sidekick continued in production in other countries until 2004.
Read more about this topic: Chevrolet Tracker
Famous quotes containing the word generation:
“But why should not the New Englander try new adventures, and not lay so much stress on his grain, his potato and grass crop, and his orchards,—raise other crops than these? Why concern ourselves so much about our beans for seed, and not be concerned at all about a new generation of men?”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“... the generation of the 20’s was truly secular in that it still knew its theology and its varieties of religious experience. We are post-secular, inventing new faiths, without any sense of organizing truths. The truths we accept are so multiple that honesty becomes little more than a strategy by which you manage your tendencies toward duplicity.”
—Ann Douglas (b. 1942)