Cars - Pontiac 6000

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	Cars - Pontiac 6000

The Pontiac 6000 was a conservatively styled mid-size car introduced by Pontiac in 1981 for the 1982 model year, slotting between the Bonneville and the Phoenix. It shared its platform with the Buick Century, Chevrolet Celebrity, Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera, and the Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser station wagon. The 6000 was built in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada from 1981 to 1988 and in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma until production ceased in 1991. In 1983, Pontiac added the STE ("Special Touring Edition") variant to the 6000 line, which transformed it into a road car capable of competing with sports sedans from abroad, such as the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes-Benz 190E. Along with the STE badge came a stiffer suspension with air-adjustable rear shocks, quick-ratio steering, upgraded wheels and tires, and sportier cosmetic touches.

Pontiac envisioned the 6000 STE to be a sort of "technology showcase" for the division. Keeping with this theme, beginning in early 1984 the STE came standard with a digital Driver Information Center. The Center kept track of oil changes, tire rotations and tune-ups; alerted the driver to low fluids or burned-out bulbs, and warned of an open door, trunk, or hood. Steering wheel controls for the cassette stereo and 4-wheel disc anti-lock brakes arrived in 1986 for the STE. A unique laminated anti-laceration windshield was used on the 1987 6000 STE, and a two-position memory driver's seat was a special option on 1987 to 1988 STE models.

1988 and 1989 STEs were available with a rare full-time all-wheel drive system and a fully independent suspension, available only with a new 3.1 L V6 and 3-speed automatic transmission. Engineers even designed the rear suspension of the all wheel drive 6000 models to accommodate four-wheel steering, but this never moved beyond the planning stage. 1989 was the last year for the 6000 STE (now standard with all wheel drive), as the STE badge was moved to the front wheel drive Grand Prix for 1990. However, all wheel drive was still available as an option in the S/E trim for 1990. As in previous years, 1990 S/E models with all wheel drive came with the 3.1 L V6, a 3-speed automatic transmission, and anti-lock brakes. About 3,700 all wheel drive models were produced between 1988 and 1990.

As for the rest of the model line, it did remarkably well. By 1984 the 6000 was Pontiac's best seller, with over 122,000 units sold. The 6000 wagon also debuted for 1984, and a sporty S/E sedan and wagon, complete with ground effects and much of the STE's running gear, arrived for 1987. A 5-speed manual was optional on certain models beginning in late 1987. Model year 1989 saw some significant changes to the 6000 line, with a restyling of the rear window and other minor cosmetic upgrades. The rear window was now curved and more aerodynamic-shaped than the previous model's formal rear glass. The two-door 6000 coupe was dropped in 1989 as well. By 1990 the 6000 was scoring very highly on customer satisfaction surveys, so highly in fact that GM considered a redesign of the model for the mid-1990s. This never came to be, and production of the 6000 ended on July 5, 1991 when it was replaced by the sedan version of the Pontiac Grand Prix.

Engines:

1982-1991 LR8 TBI "Tech IV" 2.5 L (151 in³) I4
1982-1985 LE2 2-barrel 2.8 L (173 in³) V6
1982-1985 LT7 Diesel 4.3 L (263 in³) V6
1983-1984 LH7 2-barrel 2.8 L (173 in³) High Output V6
1985 L44 MFI 2.8 L (173 in³) V6 (not officially an HO, but is the HO with MFI)
1986-1989 LB6 MFI 2.8 L (173 in³) V6
1988-1989 AWD models LH0 MFI 3.1 L (? in³) V6
1990-1991 LH0 MFI 3.1 L (? in³) V6

Transmissions:

1982-1985 Muncie 4-speed manual
1982-1991 Turbo Hydramatic 125C/3T40 3-speed automatic
1982-1991 Turbo Hydramatic 440-T4/4T60 4-speed automatic with overdrive

Awards

The 6000 STE was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list three times, from 1983 to 1985.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Pontiac 6000 ]

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Cars - Pontiac 6000

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