Segment: Large
Production years: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Pontiac unleashed the seventh generation of the Grand Prix in 1997 and produced the car either as a coupe or a four-door sedan.
The carmaker continued the idea of a front-wheel driven performance vehicle able to provide enough pleasure for the one behind the wheel while still being comfortable enough for the rest of the occupants. In the four-door configuration, Pontiac offered more room for the rear-seated passengers and also installed mounting points for child seats.
With a design signed by John Manoogian II and Tom Keams, the Grand Prix coupe sported fluid, organic lines on its bodywork. The front fascia featured slim headlights swept on the sides, with the blinkers on the front fenders. Customers and brand fans could easily recognize the specific Pontiac split grille at the front, incorporated into the wrap-around plastic bumper. On the lower apron, the automaker installed a pair of round fog lights on the outer sides. For the four-door version, the Grand Prix sported a curved ascending beltline that continued behind the C-pillars. Due to the rear doors' shape, the automaker had to split the windows. At the back, the raked-forward windscreen and the short deck created a surprisingly sporty look for the four-door sedan.
Inside, on the dashboard, the instrument cluster sported a four-dial setup, with a large tachometer and speedometer flanked on the sides by the fuel gauge on the left and the temperature on the right. The front bucket seats were designed mostly for comfort. At the same time, there was enough room in the back for three passengers thanks to the wide seat bench. In addition, due to the long wheelbase, there was enough kneeroom for them.
But such a sporty-looking vehicle deserved a better engine. In 1996, when the car was introduced, it was fitted with a 3.1-liter V6 for the base models and a new 3.8-liter with the same configuration from GM's parts bin. All versions were paired with a four-speed auto fitted as standard.
ENGINE SPECS - 3.1L V6 4AT FWD (177 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 3135 cm3 |
Power: | 130 KW @ 5200 RPM 177 HP @ 5200 RPM 174 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 194 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 263 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 18 gallons (68.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 121.2 mph (195 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 205/70/R15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 197.5 in (5017 mm) |
Width: | 72.7 in (1847 mm) |
Height: | 54.7 in (1389 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 61.4/61 in (1,560/1,549 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 110.5 in (2807 mm) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3384.1 lbs (1535 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 3.8L V6 4AT FWD (203 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 3791 cm3 |
Power: | 149 KW @ 5200 RPM 203 HP @ 5200 RPM 200 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 225 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 305 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 18 gallons (68.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 136.7 mph (220 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 225/60/R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 197.48 in (5016 mm) |
Width: | 72.67 in (1846 mm) |
Height: | 54.68 in (1389 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 61.41/61.02 in (1,560/1,550 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 110.47 in (2806 mm) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3496.53 lbs (1586 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 19.93 mpg US (11.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 30.15 mpg US (7.8 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 24 mpg US (9.8 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 3.8L V6 Supercharged 4AT FWD (243 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 3791 cm3 |
Power: | 179 KW @ 5200 RPM 243 HP @ 5200 RPM 240 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 280 lb-ft @ 3600 RPM 380 Nm @ 3600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 139.8 mph (225 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 225/60 R 16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 197.5 in (5017 mm) |
Width: | 72.7 in (1847 mm) |
Height: | 54.7 in (1389 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 61.4/61 in (1,560/1,549 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 110.5 in (2807 mm) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3558.3 lbs (1614 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 18 mpg US (13.1 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 28 mpg US (8.4 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 21.8 mpg US (10.8 L/100Km) |