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Suzuki Cultis
Suzuki Cultus
Suzuki
aka Geo Metro
Chevrolet Metro
Chevrolet Sprint
Geo Sprint
Pontiac Firefly
Holden Barina(XC)
Subaru Justy
Suzuki Swift
Production 1983-2002
Class Light
Body Style 3 dr Hatchback
5 dr Hatchback
4 dr Sedan
Length length - type here
Width Width - type here
Height Height - type here
Wheelbase wheelbase - type here
Weight Weight - you get the point
Transmission transmission + drive
Engine 993cc 3 cylinder
1298cc 4 cylinder
1590cc 4 cylinder
Power N/A hp @ N/A rpm
N/A lb-ft of torque @ N/A rpm
Similar similar (competition)
Designer Designer (lead designer if it was a team effort)

The Suzuki Cultus was a supermini/subcompact car made by Suzuki from 1983 to 2002. The name Cultus derives from the Latin cultus, meaning "care" or "adoration."

Recent Changes[]

Mention any minor facelifts or major changes made to the vehicle here.

Styles and Major Options[]

Certain vehicles come in different trim levels or body styles. Features and major options should be mentioned here.

Pricing[]

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MODEL Trims
Trim1 Trim2 Trim3 Trim4
MSRP
$Price1 $Price2 $Price3 $Price4
Invoice
$Price1 $Price2 $Price3 $Price4

Gas Mileage[]

Add more fields as necessary.

As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Trim
Trim1 Trim2 Trim3 Trim4
MPG
c/h c/h c/h c/h

Engine and Transmission[]

Specifications, details, graphs, pictures and other information regarding the powertrain is placed in this section.

Performance[]

Please make sure to write information of the vehicle's performance in a third-person point of view. This section should include information about the car's acceleration figures, handling, braking, etc.

If using information gathered from Road Test articles from a reputable automotive source, then please make sure to cite the quote.

Reliability[]

The problems with the Cultus are mainly wear and tear and as these cars age, it's worth checking for oil leaks, clutch wear, noisy wheel bearings, worn CV joints and it also worth checking if they've been properly serviced. The timing belt should be changed by every 100,000 kilometres to prevent major engine damage. Sagging rear hatch support struts are common.

Safety[]

This section should reference points on safety ratings and features of the vehicle.

please put 250px-Test_Bed_Geo_Metro

Photos[]


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Colors[]

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Main Competitors[]

Hybrid Models[]

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Unique Attributes[]

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Interior[]

This section should include information on the interior's design, build quality, ergonomics, space (head and legroom, front and rear), features, stowage compartments and overall comfortability and livability. Add pictures wherever applicable and keep information in a third-person point of view.

Resale Values[]

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<MODEL> Year
Year X Year X-2 Year X-3 Year X-4
Resale Value
$ $ $ $

Criticisms[]

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Generations[]

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Third generation (1995-2002)[]

Chevrolet Metro sedan

A Chevrolet Metro sedan

The third generation of the Cultus family was introduced in 1995 as a 3-door hatchback and 4-door sedan — using an adaptation of the longer wheelbase platform from second generation for both body configurations. Also designed at GM's Design Center, carrying styling cues from the bigger Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunfire, and built on the Suzuki developed M platform with Suzuki drivetrains, third generation 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. Thus it was never actually sold as a Cultus. 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 multi-point fuel injected 4-cylinder engine (with hydraulic lifters and lash adjusters, and a 30,000-mile service interval) and a 1.0L throttle body injected 3-cylinder engine. The 1.0L became the last engine on a vehicle available in the US to use TBI. Suzuki Swifts were available with only the 4-cylinder. The hatchback body configuration featured a three-inch lower liftover height compared to the second generation model, more in keeping with the liftover height of the first generation 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, and daytime running lights (the third generation 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. The sedan and coupe chassis were 20% and 5% stiffer respectively than the previous generation 5-door and coupe Metros, 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. The revised sedan was also introduced in the United States, replacing the 5-door hatchback. The third generation featured a coefficient of drag of .32.

At the time of the third generation introduction, 41% of Metro buyers were first-car buyers, 62% of the buyers were female, and the median age of a Metro buyer was 37.

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy named the third generation 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.

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

Second generation (1989-1994)[]

1989-1991 Suzuki Swift GA 3-door hatchback 01

1989–1991 Suzuki Swift GA 3-door hatchback (Australia)

The second generation, introduced in Japan in September 1988, followed by their European debut at the Brussels Auto Salon in October. Some say it was designed at GM's Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, USA, and GM did designate it the GM M platform. The chassis, engines, and drivetrains were 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 export market for the version.

The first European-built 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.

1992 Geo Metro convertible

1992 Geo Metro convertible

In Ecuador, the local plant Aymesa assembled some versions of this vehicle. The 3-door version was called Suzuki Forsa II while the 4-door version was badged Chevrolet Swift. Production of the 4-door version ended about 1996. The 3-door version continued to being produced until 1999 or 2000 and it was badged as Chevrolet Forsa.

Generation two of the Cultus remains in production today in Pakistan only.

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 2/3/4/5
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
1994–2007 Maruti Suzuki Esteem India 4
1995–2003 Subaru Justy Europe 3/5 e.
2000—Present Suzuki Cultus Pakistan 5 f.
19—Present Chang'an Suzuki Lingyang China 4

2= 2-dr convertible
3= 3-dr hatchback
4= 4-dr sedan
5= 5-dr hatchback
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

First Generation/Origins (1983-1988)[]

SuzukiSwift

Suzuki Swift

The first generation of the Cultus was designed and developed by Suzuki for the Japanese domestic market and introduced as the 1983 SA310, the name shortly thereafter changed to Cultus. GM and Suzuki had formed an alliance in 1981, and so GM was able to market the Cultus as a captive import, introducing it to the North American market as the 1985 Chevrolet Sprint.

Nameplate Market Body
1983–1988 Suzuki Cultus Japan 3/5 a.
1985–1988 Suzuki Forsa Canada 3/5 b.
1985–1988 Chevrolet Sprint N. America 3/5 c.
1987–2004 Chevrolet Sprint Colombia 5 d.
1985–1988 Holden Barina Australia 5
1985–1988 Pontiac Firefly Canada 3/5

3= 3-dr hatchback
5= 5-dr hatchback
a. Initially marketed as the SA-310
b. Also Hawaii, Guam, N. Marianas and test marketing USA 48 states.
c. Canada's "Chevrolet" Sprint model ran through 1991
d. Manufactured at GM Colmotores, Bogotá, Colombia

Worldwide[]

The Suzuki Cultus was also sold as in US markets as the Chevrolet Metro, Pontiac Firefly, Geo Metro, Suzuki Swift, Geo Sprint and Chevrolet Sprint. In Europe, it was marketed as the Subaru Justy and in Australia, the Holden Barina.

=Suzuki Forsa[]

The Suzuki Forsa was a version of the first generation Suzuki Cultus — marketed in Ecuador, Chile, Canada and the USA (minimally) from 1985 to 1988 — with Suzuki offering the supermini with either a carbureted 1.0 L inline-3 cylinder or fuel injected 1.0 L inline 3 cylinder turbocharged engine. The Forsa was virtually identical to the vehicles marketed in North America as the Chevrolet Sprint and the Pontiac Firefly.

Suzuki did not initially market the Forsa on the US mainland, but rather only in Hawaii, Guam and the Northern Marianas. An undetermined number of Forsa models were imported to the U.S. mainland to test the commercial viability of a supermini in the US.

As a record of US marketing of the Forsa, listings at the EPA Fuel Mileage Site carry the 1985 model as the Suzuki SA310 (the original JDM name for the Cultus, Forsa and Swift), no listing for 1986 — and both the Forsa and Forsa Turbo for 1987 and 1988. Suzuki then changed the name from Forsa to Swift with 1989 North American sales.

Suzuki Swift[]

First generation Swift Following 1985–1988 sales of the Forsa, Suzuki changed the nameplate to Suzuki Swift. The Swift was available as a GTi and GLX hatchback with a 4-door sedan following in 1990 — imported from Japan. The Swift nameplate evolved through the three Cultus generations. After production of the North American Metro, Swift and Firefly ended, Suzuki developed a new generation Swift. Released in 2004, it is a distinctly new model, currently for Japan, Europe and Oceana.

The Swift featured a 993 cc inline three cylinder engine producing 50 hp (37 kW). The G10 engine weighed 63 kg (139 lb) and the suspension derived from the Suzuki Alto. Other engine configurations included a carbureted or fuel injected turbocharged 1.0 litre, 3 cylinder (G10) engine and a carbureted or fuel injected 1.3 litre G13. Trim levels included the 1.0 GA and the 1.0 GL. The GA model included plastic wheelcovers, 5-speed gearbox and cloth trim. The GL model included more equipment such as a 5-speed gearbox, alloy wheels, a sunroof, and air conditioning in some markets.

With the first generation, Suzuki marketed the Swift GTi with the G13B engine — a DOHC 16 valve, 1.3 L, in-line 4-cylinder engine with an aluminum block and cylinder head, forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods, and cast aluminum high compression pistons (10:1 compression ratio). Its power output is 101 hp (75 kW) . The first generation Swift GTi was available in European and Asia-Pacific markets.

Second generation Swift The second generation (AA44S series) was available with a 1.0 liter 3-cylinder with a power output of 53 hp (40 kW), 1.3 liter 4-cylinder, and 1.6 liter 4-cylinder engines. The higher powered Swift GTi had an improved G13B engine which featured hollow camshafts, stronger web casting on the engine block, a better flowing intake manifold (the prior generation intake manifold had its shape compromised to fit into the engine bay), and its ECU now had electronic control over ignition timing. It now put out 100 hp (75 kW) of power. The Swift GTi also featured all wheel disc brakes.

The second generation Swift was first marketed in North America in two trim levels in 1989; 3-door GTi and 5-door GLX. The GTi name was changed to GT in 1990 because of an out-of-court settlement with Volkswagen of America over their similarly named GTI. The GTi/GT had a 1.3 liter, twin cam 100 hp (75 kW) 16-valve 4-cylinder engine while the GLX had a single cam 8-valve version of the same engine. The 1.0 liter 3-cylinder was only in North America in Canada where it was sold from 1992 to 1994. In 1990, the GLX was dropped; an inexpensive GA 3-door was added as were a GA, GL and GS 4-door sedan.

The second generation received a modest restyle and other production changes in 1992, including changes to the bumpers, tail lights and interior. GT/GTi versions were equipped with larger sway-bars, and the camshafts were now solid. Power output remained the same at 100 hp (75 kW). Production for the North American market ended in 1994.

Third generation Swift From 1995 onward, the North American-exclusive Suzuki Swift was built at CAMI Automotive, receiving all the modifications of its Pontiac and Geo/Chevrolet siblings — only in the 3-dr body style, however.

Chevrolet Sprint[]

See also: Chevrolet Sprint

The Chevrolet Sprint was sold in the United States and Canada, with GM continuing to market the Chevette until 1987 alongside the Sprint. In the 1988 model year, the naturally aspirated hatchback was named the Chevrolet Sprint Metro.

The "Sprint" and "Sprint Metro" differed in their engines, though both were computer controlled carb systems. From 1985 to 1988, the carbureted 1.0 L 3-cylinder engine used a hemispherical head design. Later, fuel injection required the cylinder head for 1989 be redesigned to add the additional cooling required, reducing gas mileage.

The Sprint was originally offered in parts of the western US for the 1985 model year; subsequently Chevrolet marketed the Sprint across North America. All models were initially 3-dr hatchbacks. Starting in 1986, a five-door hatchback version was offered, called the Sprint Plus. That year, another model called the Sprint ER was offered that included a few extra features, such as an "upshift" light to indicate the ideal speed to shift to the next highest gear on manual transmission models. Although air conditioning was offered in all years, the three-speed automatic transmission wasn't offered until 1986. All models featured front-wheel drive and 12-inch tires.

Turbocharged versions of the 1.0 L 3-cylinder engine were available in the Turbo Sprint from 1987 to 1990 (1987–1988 in U.S.). Colors were limited to red, white and blue for the Turbo Sprint. The corresponding Suzuki was not turbocharged; instead, it used a 1.3 L 4-cylinder engine.

Geo Metro[]

The 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 first generation Cultus, the Geo Metro was based first on the second generation Cultus and then on the third generation 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 first and second generation 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.

The Metro enjoyed increased interest as a used car in 2008, by virtue of its fuel mileage and rising fuel costs.

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.

Pontiac Firefly[]

The Pontiac Firefly was a marketing and manufacturing variation of the Suzuki Cultus available in Canada and the Middle East from 1985 to 1991, and again from 1994 to 2001 — as a joint effort of GM and Suzuki.

The Firefly received redesigns in 1989 and 1995, following the product cycle of the Geo/Chevrolet Metro. Solely the G10 engine was available from 1989 through 1994, the 1.0 L 3-cylinder. A turbocharged variant of G10 was also available from 1987 to 1991. The Firefly was not marketed for the 1992 and 1993 model years when the 1993-only Asuna brand introduced the larger 1992 LeMans to replace the Passport Optima and the pre-facelift Firefly.

In 1994, the Firefly returned with a facelift following the demise of the Asuna brand. With the third generation 1995 redesign, the G13 1.3 L 4-cylinder engine also became available. The Firefly was phased out of production after the 2000 model year with its Chevrolet and Suzuki siblings.

From 1991 to 1992, the Firefly was sold in a convertible and in a 4-door sedan. All hatchbacks were manufactured at CAMI, while convertibles and sedans were from sourced from Japanese production.

With model year 2005, the Pontiac Wave, a rebadged Daewoo Kalos, replaced the Firefly.

Design quirks and oddities[]

In The Simpsons, Ned Flanders owns a red Geo Metro.

Awards[]

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See Also[]

Suzuki badge main01
SUZUKI

Suzuki Motor Corporation


Suzuki | Maruti Suzuki


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Racing: SX4 Pikes Peak


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Michio Suzuki Corporate website Independent



External Links[]

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Smallwikipedialogo.png This page uses some content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Suzuki Cultus. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Autopedia, the text of Wikipedia is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.


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