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Vintage Ad Break: 1982 Pontiac Firebird Ushers In Frugal Excitement

1982 was, bluntly, not a good year for automobiles. As the gas crisis strangled local fuel stations, Detroit realized it must do something to make its thirsty muscle cars more frugal. Enter the 1982 Pontiac Firebird.

1982 was the first model year for the third-generation Pontiac Firebird, which debuted with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Yep, a four-banger, with no turbocharger either, producing a measly 88 hp.

Engineers focused on creating a lighter, slipperier design to help improve performance despite low power numbers. The platform was deemed a success, with 500 pounds stripped from the car and a steeper front windshield design to improve aero.

Those still craving the V8 gusto would be disappointed in finding just 165 hp from the 5.0-liter V8, sourced from Chevrolet. This engine carried very early electronic fuel injection, which allowed for a 20 hp bump from the 5.0L minus the tech. It wouldn’t be until 1985 when the Firebird once again saw horsepower numbers surpassing 200 hp.

GM did succeed in increasing fuel economy after the 2.5L four-cylinder engine returned 34 mpg. But, needless to say, it wasn’t very popular. When the fourth, and final, generation Pontiac Firebird debuted in 1993, a four-cylinder was nowhere to be found.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. Knight Rider and the ’87 GTA they are to blame tha i started to love american cars on my childhood.

    Here in Spain the tv series called ” El Coche Fantástico”

    Forever in my heart, Pontiac Firebird, Camaro Corvette threesome

    Reply
  2. The 1982 Pontiac Firebird is still a very attractive car; but it’s a clear demonstration of how far automotive technology has come over the past 30+ years as the 2.5L OHV-2v 4-cyl engine couldn’t generate 100 hp while today’s C6 Camaro comes with the LTG 2.0L DOHC-4v 4-cyl turbo that generates 275 horsepower or almost twice the horsepower of the 1982 Firebird Trans-Am’s 5.0L V8.

    Reply
  3. It’s not news to say that engines of all sizes and configurations have come a tremendously long way since 1982. As other posters have noted, even the 4-cylinder Camaro of today generates impressive numbers for horsepower and torque. That 2.0-litre four’s biggest weakness, however, is much the same as that of the 4-cylinder engine in the 1982 Firebird: Both still SOUND like 4-cylinders. Today’s turbo four is smoother and quieter, maybe, but there is still a grittiness and a shrillness to 4-cylinder engines that all the engineering tech in the world still hasn’t succeeded in disguising. Make my a Camaro a V8, please and thank you.

    Reply

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