The Pontiac Bonneville is a model line of full-size or mid-size front-engine rear drive cars manufactured and marketed by Pontiac from 1957 until 2005, with a hiatus for model years 1982-1986.
The Bonneville (marketed as the Parisienne in Canada until 1981), and its platform partner, the Grand Ville, are some of the largest Pontiacs ever built; in station wagon body styles they reached just over 230 inches (5.8m) long, and at 5,000 pounds (2,300kg) and more were also some of the heaviest cars produced at the time.
The Bonneville nameplate was introduced as a limited production performance convertible during the 1957 model year, its name taken from the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah— an early site of US auto racing and numerous world's land speed record records, itself named after U.S. Army officer Benjamin Bonneville.
The Bonneville name first appeared in 1954 on a pair of bubble-topped GM Motoramaconcept cars called the Bonneville Special, sharing an appearance with the Chevrolet Corvette. It was also the beginning of a new tradition of Pontiac vehicles using French words for model names.
It entered the production lineup as a high-performance, fuel-injected luxury convertible version of the Star Chief in 1957, and was loaded with every available option as standard equipment to include leather upholstery, power adjustable front seat, power windows, power steering, power brakes and power convertible top with the exception of air conditioning and a fashionable for the time continental kit.[2]
Standard only for the Bonneville was Pontiac's first-ever fuel injection system. A mechanical system built by Rochester, it was similar in principle, but not identical, to the contemporary Chevrolet Bel Air installed with the Rochester Ramjet [3]continuous mechanical fuel injection (closed-loop).[4] Pontiac did not release official power ratings for this engine, which had only been introduced earlier in 1955 replacing the flathead straight eight, saying only that it had more than 300hp (224kW). Contemporary road tests suggest that it was actually somewhat inferior to the Tri-Power engines, although it did have better fuel economy.
This put the Bonneville in a Cadillac-like price range of US$5,782 ($62,725 in 2023 dollars [5]) - more than double the base price of the Chieftain on which it was built, with the result being a fully equipped Bonneville could cost more than the longer, entry-level Cadillac Series 62. Only 630 units were produced that first year, all of them fuel-injected, making it one of the most collectible Pontiacs of all time and was introduced to compete with the Chrysler 300C.[1] The following year it became a separate model, and it would endure until 2005 as the division's top-of-the-line model.
The Bonneville became a separate model in 1958,[6] available as a two-door hardtop or a convertible. It paced the Indianapolis 500 in its first year. As a separate model, Bonneville had a significantly lower price tag of $3,586 ($37,870 in 2023 dollars [5]) for the convertible, thanks to the removal of most of the luxury items found on the 1957 Star Chief bodystyle from standard equipment to the option list.[1] Also a 255hp (190kW)369.4cuin (6,053cc) V8, marketed as a "370", with four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts was now standard equipment.[1]
The fuel-injection system continued to be offered with the standard engine on the 1957 Star Chief bodystyle was now listed as an extra cost option but very few 1958 Bonnevilles were so equipped due to a towering option price tag of US$500 ($5,280 in 2023 dollars [5]), which was not considered a very good value considering that for US$93.50, a more reliable Tri-Power option was available with three Rochester two-barrel carburetors and similar power.[7] The Tri-Power produces a claimed 300hp (224kW), while the fuel injected version was rated at 310hp (231kW) at 4800rpm and 400lb⋅ft (542N⋅m) at 3,000rpm on 10.5:1 compression.
The retail price dropped from the previous year to US$3,481 ($36,761 in 2023 dollars [5]) for the coupe, adding leather interior and a power operated convertible top.[1] The fuel-injected engine became an option on any Pontiac model. Only about 400 were produced before the fuel injection system was quietly dropped and fuel injection would not be offered on the Bonneville until 1987 with the Eighth Generation.
For 1958, GM was promoting their fiftieth year of production, and introduced Anniversary models for each brand; Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Chevrolet.[8] The 1958 models shared a common appearance on the top models for each brand; Cadillac Eldorado Seville, Buick Limited Riviera, Oldsmobile Starfire 98, Pontiac Bonneville Catalina, and the all-new Chevrolet Bel-Air Impala. 1958 was also the year the "Silver Streak" styling feature was no longer offered, which was first used in 1933.[1] It was also the last year of Harley Earls tenure as department head of GM's "Art and Colour Section".
In its third year, the 1959 Bonneville became the senior series with the addition of the four-door hardtop sedan and Safari station wagon body styles, while the Pontiac Catalina became the junior series. The Bonneville played an important part that year in the introduction of two of Pontiac's greatest marketing inspirations — the split grille and the "Wide Track" slogan, introducing a front tread width of 63.7in (1,618mm) and rear tread width of 64in (1,626mm) as opposed to other GM products with a 61in (1,549mm) width for front and rear width.[1] At the bottom of the rear quarters, a "skeg"—a downward fin—jutted outboard to counterbalance the rearward point of the quarter panel.
The Wide Track slogan was not just ad copy, either, as Pontiac pushed its wheels further out toward the fenders than anyone else and created what were considered to be the best-cornering full-size cars in the industry. Both the grille design and the Wide Track phrase remained part of Pontiac's image up to the brand's termination. A "Safe-T-Track" differential, used to minimize wheel spin, was an option beginning in 1959.[10] As the platform expanded to add sedans and the Safari station wagons, they were also used as a basis for various specialty cars such as hearses.
1959 Pontiac Bonneville Sports Coupe
1959 Bonneville from the rear, showing double rear fins
1961 Pontiac Bonneville Tri-Power Sports Coupe1962 Pontiac Bonneville Custom Safari1963 Pontiac Bonneville convertible1964 Pontiac Bonneville Sports CoupePontiac eight-lug rim. Full-size Pontiacs from 1960 to 1968 were available with these unique, eight-bolt rims with exposed finned-aluminum brake drums which aided brake cooling compared to the standard iron drum enclosed by a steel wheel.
The Bonneville was Pontiac's senior model throughout the 1960s and was instrumental in pushing Pontiac to third place in sales from 1962 to 1970.[14]
The distinctive protruding grille made its appearance on all Pontiac products during the early 1960s, and was a modern revival of a similar appearance on Pontiac products during the 1930s and early 1940s, as demonstrated on the Pontiac Torpedo.
The Bonneville differed from its lesser Catalina and Star Chief counterparts by featuring more luxurious interior trim with upgraded cloth and "Morrokide" vinyl or expanded "Morrokide" upholstery in sedans and coupes, expanded "Morrokide" in Safari wagons and genuine leather seating in convertibles. Bonnevilles (with the exception of Bonneville Safari station wagons) were also (along with Star Chiefs) built on a longer wheelbase version of GM's B-Body. The 1962 hardtop coupe had a listed retail price of $3,349 ($33,733 in 2023 dollars [5]).[14]
In 1962, the Bonneville coupe was offered along with the all new Pontiac Grand Prix which has the same luxurious interior of the Bonneville on the shorter Catalina wheelbase, and the Grand Prix was slightly more expensive and exclusive.[14]
For a luxurious appearance, the Bonneville came with instrument panels and door panels with walnut veneer trim, carpeted lower door panels, grab bar on the passenger side of the dash and courtesy lights and a rear arm rest. Beginning in 1964, a Bonneville Brougham option package was available that included an even more luxurious interior trim level with front and rear seats featuring center armrests, upgraded door panels and a standard Cordova (vinyl) roof with "Brougham" nameplates. The two-door hardtop was marketed as the "Sports Coupe", the four door pillarless models were called "Vistas".[14]
Bonneville models were standard equipped with Hydra-Matic (through 1964) or Turbo Hydra-Matic (1965-on) automatic transmissions. Options included power steering and power brakes as well as air conditioning. Other popular options included power windows, power seats, radio, cruise control, and 8-lug aluminum wheels that included integral brake drums for improved stopping power.[14]
The Bonneville also had more powerful standard V8 engines than other full-sized Pontiacs, including the 389cuin (6.4L) or 400cuin (6.6L)V8s with four-barrel carburetors (power ratings of 303 to 340hp (226 to 254kW) depending on year) with many optional V8 offerings, such as the availability of the Tri-Power (three two-barrel carburetor) options on both the 389cuin (6.4L) and 421cuin (6.9L) V8s that offered up to 376hp (280kW) through 1966.[14]
For 1963 only, Pontiac offered the 421cuin (6.9L) Super Duty with two four-barrel carburetors, rated at 425hp (317kW), as a US$2,250 option ($22,104 in 2023 dollars [5]) whereas the base Bonneville was listed at US$3,349 ($33,330 in 2023 dollars [5]).[14]
In 1965, B-Body Pontiacs received a dramatic restyle, featuring fastback rooflines on coupes, rakish fender lines, and even more pronounced "Coke bottle styling". Bonnevilles followed largely the same styling cues as on other 1965 Pontiacs, but was 8 inches longer thanks to its new 124-inch wheelbase chassis. The interior featured new instrumentation and dashboard styling as well as new upholstery.[14] This series Bonneville retained the longer wheelbase over the Grand Prix but the hardtop coupe was priced lower at $3,288 ($31,790 in 2023 dollars [5]) and was not offered the center console included in the Grand Prix.[14] This generation also introduced fender skirts over the rear wheels for an upscale look, shared with Cadillac, Buick and Oldsmobile senior models.
Engine options remained unchanged from the 1964 model year, with a 389cuin (6.4L), 333hp unit being standard, equipped with a Carter AFB 4-barrel carburetor. A 421cuin (6.9L) engine was an optional upgrade. Both engines had choices of Tri-Power multi-carburetion setups and higher compression ratios.[15]
New for Pontiacs in 1965 was GM's Turbo-Hydramatic 400 transmission, which was released the year prior. This new 3-speed unit had a torque converter, unlike the old fluid-coupling based Super-Hydramatic featured on past Bonneville models. The new transmission also changed the shift pattern from "P-N-D-S-L-R" to a safer and ultimately more modern "P-R-N-D-S-L."
In 1965, Pontiac Motor Division received the Motor Trend "Car of the Year" award. As part of this award, Motor Trend reviewed GTO, Grand Prix, Catalina 2+2 and Bonneville.[16]
In 1966, the Bonneville featured a minor update, with new front and rear sheet metal, trim and bright work. The interior saw some updates, including a more squared-up dashboard and minor changes in instrumentation. Powertrain components were the same as 1965.
The Bonneville for 1967 received a major update over the previous years. Styling was changed dramatically and featured a new grille-in-bumper front design, more creases to accentuate the "Coke bottle" styling and an updated rear fascia. The interior featured a new wraparound-style dash with new switchgear, instrumentation and trim. As per the up-and-coming US Title 49 legislation, 67' Bonnevilles were equipped with seatbelts as standard, as well as other government mandated safety equipment.[14]
1967 also saw a large powertrain and chassis refresh for Pontiac. The 389 cubic inch plant was replaced with 400cuin (6.6L) one, and the 421 cubic inch plant was replaced with a 428cuin (7.0L) one. As per GM's internal edict, the multi-carburation setups found on earlier cars were replaced with the new Quadra Jet "spread bore" carburetor. Carter AFB carburetors were still standard, but the Quadra Jet was featured as the new "High performance" upgrade. A myriad of horsepower ratings were optional. A dual-circuit master cylinder was standard as per legislation and disc brakes became an optional extra.[17]
1968 saw a large styling update for Bonneville. The front fascia was heavily revised with new side-by-side headlights, however, the side and rear styling stayed largely the same from 1967. The interior saw some minor updates to styling with less chrome, as well as an available 8-Track Tape player.
Power was upgraded to 340 horsepower on the base 400 CI engine, up from 333 on the 1967 model year, the 428 CI engine remained an option
In 1969, the rest of the Bonneville's styling was updated. The front fascia stayed similar to 68', however, the rest of the car saw a restyle. The creases on the side were removed and the overall "Coke Bottle" effect was lessened. The rear end saw widened taillights and a color coded bumper insert. The interior saw even more updates, featuring more padding, wood trim and a slanted dashboard.
Power trains were upgraded to a standard 360hp 428 CI engine.
1970 saw the most dramatic update to styling for Bonneville, featuring an entirely new front fascia, with more square features and an updated vertical twin grille design. Wrap around amber turn signals were integrated into the lower bumper. Side body lines remained similar to the 69' model year, however the rear design was completely revised with lowered tail lights and bumper, with a design more similar to that of 65' and 66' model years than those directly prior.[14]
The interior was similar to the 1969 model year, retaining the slanted design and minimal chrome trim.
A new 455cuin (7.5L) V8 was made standard for the 1970 model year, with the 400 CI engine being an option.[18]
For 1971, the Bonneville was downgraded in the model hierarchy, as a new top line Grand Ville series was introduced. In effect, it took the place of the discontinued Executive above the lower-priced Catalina. The Bonneville had new "Monocoque" styling[20] and was offered in three body styles, a pillared four-door sedan, four-door hardtop sedan and two-door hardtop coupe. The standard engine for 1971-72 was a 455 cubic-inch V8 with two-barrel carburetor that was rated at 280 gross horsepower for 1971 and 185 net horsepower for 1972 and optionally available was the four-barrel version of the 455 rated at 325 gross horsepower in 1971 and 250 net horsepower in 1972. The on-paper power ratings reflect the change in power measurement undertaken by the industry for 1972. 1971 was also the first year for Pontiac and other GM divisions to reduce compression ratios on all engines across the board to operate on lower-octane regular leaded, low-lead or unleaded gasoline, reflecting a corporate edict anticipating the introduction of catalytic converters in 1975 to help meet increasingly stringent federal (and California) emission requirements.[14]
In mid-1971, a Turbo-Hydramatic transmission, power steering and power front-disc brakes became standard equipment on Bonneville and other full-sized Pontiacs (as well as other full-sized GM cars).
From 1973 to 1976, the Bonneville's standard engine dropped to a 170-horsepower 400 cubic-inch V8. Optionally available was the 455 four-barrel V8 rated at 250 horsepower (186kW) in 1973 and 1974 and 200 in 1975 and 1976. In 1973, Bonneville was the only full-sized Pontiac to offer a "Radial Tuned Suspension" option package which included the steel-belted radial tires along with an upgraded suspension with Pliacell shock absorbers and front and rear sway bars. The RTS option was expanded for 1974 to all full-sized Pontiacs and radial-ply tires became standard on all 1975 models though an upgraded "RTS" package was still available as an option.
1975 saw the end of the pillarless two-door hardtop model, replaced by a coupe with frameless door glass but with a thick "B" pillar and fixed rear "opera" window. The 1975 model year introduced rectangular headlights - its frontal appearance was similar to the Cadillac DeVilles and Fleetwoods of the same era.
With the demise of the Grand Ville series after 1975, Bonneville once again became the top-line full-sized Pontiac series, with a Bonneville Brougham model featuring the luxurious interior appointments from the departed Grand Ville.
Adjustable pedals were optional in 1976, the last year the Bonneville was offered as a pillarless 4-door hardtop; all subsequent Bonnevilles would have a thick B-pillar and metal-framed door glass.[21][22]
1971 Pontiac Bonneville 4-Door Sedan
Size comparison between 1974 and 1984 full-size Pontiac sedans
The Bonneville was significantly downsized for model year 1977. Bonnevilles (and Catalinas) were 14 inches (360mm) shorter in length, over four inches (102mm) narrower and 800 pounds lighter compared to their 1976 counterparts, while offering increased headroom, rear seat legroom and trunk space, and much-improved fuel economy – a major selling point in the years following the 1973-74 energy crisis.[22]
Only a pillared four-door sedan and two-door coupe (with optional opera windows) were offered, as the hardtop sedans and hardtop coupes offered in previous years were discontinued for all GM divisions.
The Bonneville regained the Safari station wagon as part of its model lineup for the first time since 1970, with faux woodgrain exterior trim and interior appointments shared with Bonneville coupes and sedans. The Safari was available in both 6 and 9-passenger configurations and featured a dual action side- or bottom-hinged tailgate, rather than the disappearing clamshell tailgates of 1971-76 full-sized Pontiac wagons.[22]
For 1977 and 1978, the standard engine in Bonneville was Pontiac's new 301 cubic-inch V8 rated at 135 horsepower (101kW), while optional engines included a 170-horsepower 350 or 180-horsepower 400 cubic-inch V8. A 185-horsepower Oldsmobile 403 cubic inch V8 was also an option. In later years, increasingly stringent fuel-economy standards mandated by the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations would lead to the discontinuation of the larger engines, with a 231 cubic-inch Buick V6 becoming the standard engine on Bonneville coupes and sedans for 1980 and 1981, with the only optional V8s offered including 265 and 301 cubic-inch Pontiac-built gasoline engines or an Oldsmobile-built 350 cid diesel powerplant.
For 1980, all GM B-bodies received revised styling and aerodynamic improvements along with reduced weight.
The Bonneville and Catalina, already the smallest-selling of GM's B-body line, suffered a serious drop in demand following the economic recession that began in the spring of 1979. With that, GM discontinued the 6th generation with the 1981 model year, along with the 265 and 301 engines.
Following the discontinuation of full-sized Pontiacs, the Bonneville name was instead simply swapped onto the midsized LeMans, which also suffered from poor sales. Thus, GM planners reasoned that attaching a more well-known model name to it would spark demand. This model had been produced since 1978 along with its siblings the Chevrolet Malibu, Oldsmobile Cutlass, and Buick Century, and sported a Buick 231 cid V6, Chevrolet 305 cid V8, or Oldsmobile 350 cid diesel V8. (A Buick 4.1 liter V6 was available in 1982.) The 1982-1986 models were officially known as the Pontiac Bonneville Model G (built on the GM "G" platform), although later models were not badged as such. Styling was revised to bear a closer resemblance to the departed B-body Bonneville and coupes were dropped. GM also began marketing the Bonneville in Canada for the first time starting in 1984 (1982 and 1983 Canadian models carried the Grand LeMans name), as GM's full-size Bonnevilles in Canada were referred to as Parisienne.[22]
While the previous LeMans, on which the new Bonneville was based, was classified as an A-Body, introduction of GM's new front wheel drive A-bodies (e.g. Pontiac 6000) in 1982 prompted the change to "Model G" on these RWD cars. 1983 was the last year for the G-body station wagon as the Pontiac 6000's wagon replaced it. The Bonneville sedan continued in base, Limited Edition (LE), and Brougham versions through 1986. The 1982-1986 Bonnevilles are direct descendants of the 1964 Pontiac Tempest. These 1982-1986 Bonnevilles were the smallest and the last of the old breed of Bonnevilles, having rear wheel drive, full perimeter frame (body on frame), and old-fashioned American car ride and styling.[22]
Rear view of a 1985 Bonneville
However, some Pontiac customers did not take to the "downsized" Bonneville as a portion of new-car buyers were switching their preferences from compact and mid-sized cars back to full-sized, V8-powered cars thanks to improving gasoline prices. Late in the 1983 model year, Pontiac reintroduced a full-sized car to the American market by bringing over the Canadian-built Pontiac Parisienne (which was essentially a restyled Chevrolet Caprice and powered by ChevroletV6 or V8 engines). The Bonneville was then again one notch below the top of the line from late 1983 through 1986.[22]
However, exactly as before, a downsizing proved its salvation. In 1987, the Parisienne was discontinued and the Bonneville was completely redesigned as a front-wheel drive car, rejoining its pre-1982 platform mates: the Buick LeSabre and Oldsmobile Delta 88 and it regained its status as the senior Pontiac.[22]
LE 3,325lb (1,508kg) SE 3,413lb (1,548kg) SSE 3,601lb (1,633kg)
Rear view of a 1987 Pontiac Bonneville SE1988 Pontiac Bonneville
For 1987, Pontiac migrated the Bonneville from the rear-drive G-body with a V8 to the GM's one year old front-drive H Body platform, shared with the Buick LeSabre and Oldsmobile 88. Initially, a 150hp (112kW)3.8L V6 was the sole engine, mated to a four-speed Hydramatic 4T60 automatic — in base and LE trim levels. The base model was only used for 1987. For LE models, an SSE sport package was also available featuring a quicker gear ratio, sportier suspension and more standard features, marketed as having a more sporty, European character than the LeSabre and 88.[22]
The interior of a Bonneville SSE. It features the Driver Information Center, automatic climate control and the Delco UT4 stereo.
For model year (MY) 1988, Pontiac replaced the LG3 engine with a revised version of the same engine, with an increase of 10hp and 10ft⋅lbf (14 N⋅m) of torque — the 3.8 engine now used a regular production code (RPO) LN3 and was now called the 3800 V6.[22] Featuring sequential-port fuel injection, the engine produced 165hp (123kW) and 210lb⋅ft (285N⋅m). Other models on the H-body platform were fitted with the LN3 engine one year later, in 1989. The LN3 was used through 1991, since the Bonneville was redesigned for the 1992 model year.
Also in 1988, the LE model, which was previously the top trim level for 1987, becomes the base trim. The base model, which was used for 1987, was dropped. Additionally, two new models are introduced: the midlevel SE, which went from an option package to a trim level, and the SSE trim. The SE and SSE trims were then available with many more comfort and convenience options standard such as: electronic climate control, a digital compass, Driver Information Center, 8-way (14-way for the SSE according to GM material) power leather seats, heated power mirrors, CD player with the premium sound package and many more.[22]
The SSE features an extra deep rear valence, a spoiler, lower body cladding, a digital compass/trip computer, an eight speaker premium sound system and much more. One notable feature of the SSE was the addition of an automatic leveling rear air suspension, which also included an inflator in the trunk. The SSE trim was exclusively equipped with an exterior sport appearance package that included body cladding, assorted ground effects, a body color grille and removal of the Bonneville door badges and Pontiac trunk badge, and replacing the Bonneville trunk badge with an SSE Bonneville badge.[22]
For 1989, a compact disc player and remote keyless entry became optional. For 1990 models, a facelift was introduced for the Bonneville, with revisions to the grille, headlights, and taillights, which included amber rear turn signal indicators. For the 1991 model year, Pontiac made suspension revisions. 1991 was also the last year for the first front-wheel-drive generation of the Bonneville.[22]
The ninth generation Bonneville debuted on February 8, 1991, at the 1991 Chicago International Auto Show, with sales launching in July 1991 for the 1992 model year. The exterior featured an aerodynamic drag coefficient of .305; the interior featured a trunk pass-through; and two available engines: the naturally-aspirated 3.8-liter V6 and its supercharged variants. Both engines used a 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission. The ninth generation Bonneville was the first General Motors vehicle available with dual front passenger airbags.[22]
Developed over a 4½-year period from 1986 to early 1991 under program director Dave Mitchell, styling work took place from 1987 to 1988, with a final design by John Folden chosen in 1988 and frozen for production that same year. The first prototypes were built in 1989 and entered testing in mid-1989. In August 1990, production preparation began, with early production "builds" constructed during late 1990. The first series production models were assembled in May 1991, with SE variants launched in July 1991.[30][22]
Entry trim was the SE, the only trim with available six-passenger seating; the SSE was the mid-level trim, and the SSEi was the new top-level trim, which received a standard passenger-side airbag. According to Pontiac, the trim acronyms had no implied meaning. The base and mid-level models offered GM's naturally-aspirated 3.8-liter V6, and the SSEi received its supercharged variant. All engines used a 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission. SSEi models received dual airbags and antilock brakes. SE and SSE models received a driver-side airbag and optional ABS. The SSE models came with standard ABS and traction control.
The new N/A 3800 Series I (RPO: L27) engine was used, producing 170hp (127kW) and 225lbf⋅ft (305N⋅m), as well as the newly designed force inducted Series I 3800 (RPO: L67) equipped with an Eaton M62 roots type supercharger which made 205hp (153kW) and 260lbf⋅ft (353N⋅m). The newly revised N/A L27, for the 1992 model year only, was not equipped with an EGR Valve, and can be distinguished by its white intake manifold, as opposed to black from 1993 and on.[22]Abridged safety options list:
ABS
Traction control
Driver airbag
Passenger airbag
92 SE
Optional (SLE)
Optional
Standard
N/A
92 SSE
Standard
Optional
Standard
Optional
92 SSEi
Standard
Standard
Standard
Standard
93 SE
Standard
Optional
Standard
Optional
93 SSE
Standard
Optional
Standard
Optional
93 SSEi
Standard
Standard
Standard
Standard
94 SE
Standard
Optional
Standard
Standard
94 SSE
Standard
Optional
Standard
Standard
94 SSEi
Standard
Standard
Standard
Standard
95 SE
Standard
Optional
Standard
Standard
95 SSE
Standard
Optional
Standard
Standard
95 SSEi
Standard
Standard
Standard
Standard
1995 Pontiac Bonneville SSE
Model Year (MY) 1993: Beginning with MY 1993, the Bonneville SE could be optioned with a Sport Luxury Edition (SLE RPO: H4U) package, which included leather seats, electronic climate control, automatic headlights, premium sound, "crosslace" alloy wheels, a small console in the headliner, chrome delete side and bumper moldings, center shift console, and touring suspension. Certain equipment such as electronic climate control and premium sound could be deleted from an SLE equipped car. Through 1997, SE models equipped with the Supercharged engine option, required the SLE/H4U package. These carried SE emblems, and the SLE/H4U appeared on the Series Production Identification (SPID) label of equipped vehicles as a Regular Production order (RPO) code. For MY 1998, SLE emblems were added to the vehicle exterior. The SLE trim continued onto the '99 model year. Many more standard was included with the SSE trim. The SSEi came standard with most of the available options in the lower models, as well as the supercharged 3800 engine (RPO: L67).
MY 1994: For 1994, SSEi trims used a new Generation III Eaton M62 supercharger with integral OBD-1.5 capabilities, raising the horsepower to 225hp (168kW) and torque to 275lbf⋅ft (373N⋅m). MY 1994 introduced the new five-spoke "Torque Star" wheels; and exhaust resonator to lower the engine's tone; and front passenger airbag. The former SSEi trim level became an SSEi Supercharger Package. Traction control became optional for the '94 SSE trims, which included GM's Computer Command Ride suspension,s designed to reduce body lean and pitch and automatically adjust the suspension from soft to firm when cornering, accelerating, or stopping.
MY 1995: For 1995, SE and SSE trims received the naturally aspirated Series II 3800 engine (RPO: L36) making 205hp (153kW) and 230lbf⋅ft (310N⋅m). The SSEi was equipped with the Series I SC 3800 (RPO: L67) engine until the 1996 model year, when it too was updated.
MY 1996: In September 1995, styling changes were introduced for the 1996 model year facelift, with revised tail lights, headlights, grille, and lower body cladding. Trim levels largely shared common lower cladding approaches, with the SSEi again receiving a unique front bumper and grille. Also for 1996, the supercharged version of the 3800 Series II engine was introduced. The SSEi received a new Eaton M90-supercharged L67 engine, producing 240hp (179kW) and 280lbf⋅ft (380N⋅m) optional on the SSE trim. The engine was used from 1995 until it was retired from the Bonneville in 2003.
SE trim variants could be ordered with the L67 engine, which in turn required the Luxury Edition (SLE)(RPO H4U) package, which included a small console in the headliner, cobra head shifter, performance/normal shift selection buttons, leather interior, chrome delete side and bumper moldings, center shift console, and touring suspension. for MY 1995–1997, SLE/H4U equipped Bonnevilles carried SE rather than SLE external badging.
MY 1997: For MY 1997, a heavy-duty version of the 4T65E-HD was introduced for the SSEi models. Also in 1997, to mark the 40th year of production of the Bonneville, Pontiac offered a 40th Anniversary Edition, in six trims: the SE, the 40th Anniversary SE, the SSE, the 40th Anniversary SSE, the SSEi, and the 40th Anniversary SSEi. The 40th anniversary models all had a VIN with Y40. With a total production of 637 units, the 40th Anniversary SSEi is the rarest model.
MY 1998: For 1998, the Bonneville gets no major changes. However, a new transmission, the 4T65-E was introduced for the naturally aspirated 3800 installed in SE and SSE models. For 1999, the Bonneville essentially stood pat since an all-new model would arrive in 2000.
In March 2008, GM announced that these engines and other GM engines supplied with Dexcool antifreeze coolant might be prone to intake manifold failure and other problems with the cooling system if proper regular maintenance is not correctly performed. After settlement of a class-action lawsuit, GM agreed to compensate owners of many vehicles that suffered damage, regardless of negligence on the part of the consumer, if the consumer could prove damages.[31]
Engine availability
170hp (130kW) L27 - SE (92-94), SLE (93-94), SSE (92-94)
205hp (153kW) L36 - SE (95-99), SLE (95-99), SSE (95-99)
The 2000 Bonneville was restyled, using GM'sG platform,[32] with the widest overall track in its competitive class at 62.6in (1,590mm) up front and 62.1in (1,580mm) in the rear. GM's StabiliTrak stability control system was introduced on the top-of-the-line supercharged SSEi model, later replaced by the GXP.
Trim levels
Pontiac Bonneville SLE2000 Pontiac Bonneville Salt Flats Custom Racer which set a 204 mph world record for a front wheel drive sedan on display in the Martin Auto Museum
The Bonneville was marketed in three trim levels: SE, SLE and SSEi. The SE came with a 3.8L V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, air conditioning, cruise control, front bucket seats (a 55/45 split front bench was available on the SE only), 6-way power driver seat with lumbar adjustment, AM/FM stereo with CD player and 225/60/R16 tires. The SLE added traction control, OnStar, leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear spoiler and 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 235/55/R17 tires. The SSEi adds a 3.8L supercharged V6 engine, front-side air bags, leather upholstery, 12-way power driver seat and Monsoon AM/FM stereo with cassette and CD player.[33]
For the last year of production, Pontiac gave the mid-level SLE the new GXP styling. The 2005 SLE featured all GXP styling cues, except the wheels, badging, muffler tips and engine all remained unique to the GXP.
Return of the V8
For 2004, the Bonneville regained a V8 option on the GXP trim. This was the first time since 1986 that a Bonneville had a V8 engine. As a result of the discontinuation of the Oldsmobile Aurora, this opened up a "hole" in the GM lineup between Pontiac and Buick, allowing Pontiac to expand upmarket somewhat. The engine is Cadillac's 4.6L (280cuin)Northstar V8, producing 275hp (205kW), 300lbf⋅ft (410N⋅m). As Pontiac's website said, "With GXP, V8 power gets reintroduced into the Bonneville line in the form of the world-renowned 4.6 L (279 in³) Northstar V8 engine, giving 0to 60mph (0–97km/h) in 6.5 seconds demonstrates better performance than BMW 330i and 530i, and Lexus ES. Its 3.7:1 final drive ratio is the most aggressive found on any car in its class."
Safety
NHTSA crash tests for the 2005 Pontiac Bonneville resulted in a safety rating of 4-stars for the Driver and 5-stars for the Front Passenger.[34]
Discontinuation
GM announced on February 8, 2005, that the Bonneville would be dropped from Pontiac's lineup for 2006. The last Bonneville was assembled on May 27, 2005. About 12,000 Bonnevilles were sold in 2005. With more than half of Pontiac dealers also selling Buick models, the Buick Lucerne along with the Chevrolet Impala continued as GM's only mainstream full-size cars until the introduction of the 2008 G8.
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