Pontiac Fiero

1988 was the final model year for the Fiero. Zabuton are often used for sitting on tatami floors. The 4-cylinder and more powerful V6 were standard fare and the car largely escaped recall issues. In Japanese, a zabuton (za, sitting + futon) is a cushion for sitting on. The chassis was never a Lotus design though - it was all Pontiac. Quite often these futons are marketed as "earth friendly," especially since they do not contain the chemicals with which some conventional bedding is manufactured. The 1988 Fiero brought a new suspension design, thought by many to strikingly resemble the soon to be acquired Lotus Corp's. Additionally, these alternative futons tend to be hand-made.

Improved headlight motors appeared in 1987. While still not traditional futons, they lack the springs and synthetic casings of traditional mattresses and tend to be constructed primarily out of cotton. The car was offered in blue but was otherwise externally unchanged from the preceding three models. There is, however, a growing market in Japan for high quality bedding made in the Western style. The 4-cylinder's power rating increased to 98 hp (73 kW) with some major modifications which included a roller cam. Most Japanese people would not recognize a Western-style "futon" as a futon. 1987 had minor modifications to the front fascia on the "base coupe" (the same nose also to be found the following year on the new Formula model), with the SE & GT models keeping the same "Aero" nose. Western-style futons are a cheap alternative to a bed or other furniture, and are often sold in sets that include the mattress and frame.

Models equipped with the 4-cylinder engine remained largely unchanged. They are usually placed on a configurable frame for dual use as a bed and a couch, but are not intended to be stored away during the day. Also offered late in the production year, was a 5-speed Getrag transmission (coupled only to the V6 engines). They are usually filled with foam as well as batting, often in several layers, and are almost always much thicker and larger than Japanese futons, resembling a traditional mattress in size. 1986 was the first year the fastback was offered. Western futons are different from Japanese futons in several ways. Further on, the exterior design of the Indy Fiero would be incorporated into the production line as the new GT. In addition, many Japanese people beat their futons regularly using a special tool, traditionally made from bamboo, resembling a Western carpet beater.

The 4-cylinder engine (known as the "Iron Duke") was now paired with the Japanese designed Isuzu 5-speed (also produced at the Muncie, Indiana plant). Futons must be aired in sunlight regularly, especially if not put away during the day. The V6 was paired with a modified Muncie 4-speed transmission. Futons are designed to be placed on tatami flooring, and are traditionally folded away and stored in a closet during the day to allow the tatami to breathe and to allow for flexibility in the use of the room. A Chevrolet 2.8 L 140 hp (104 kW) V6 engine was put into the car, satisfying most critics of the base power plant. Such sets can be purchased for under 10,000 yen. In 1985, the problem with insufficient power was first addressed, much to the satisfaction of the general public. They are often sold in sets which include the futon mattress (shikibuton), a comforter (kakebuton) or blanket (mōfu), a summer blanket resembling a large towel (towelket), and pillow (makura), generally filled with beans, buckwheat chaff or plastic beads.

Approximately 2,000 of these vehicles were sold. Japanese futons are flat, about 5 cm (2 in) thick with a fabric exterior stuffed with cotton or synthetic batting. The 1984 was the only year in which the Limited "Indy 500" edition, consisting of an Indianapolis 500-themed option package on SE-model vehicles, was offered. They are sold in Japan at specialty stores called futon-ya, and are also available at department stores. The car also proved uncomfortable for some drivers due to the lack of power steering. A futon (布団) is a type of mattress that makes up a Japanese bed. In an effort to sell the car as being economically sensible, GM equipped and sold the Fiero as a commuter car but the marketing build up leading to initial release indicated anything but a regular commuter car.

The year was also critically condemned for producing underpowered commuter cars. 1984 was the first production year for the Pontiac Fiero, which began production in August 1983 for the 1984 model year.
. The Getrag is generally accepted to be the stronger one, but both are used without failure on high torque V8 engine swaps.

Isuzu and Getrag-produced 5-speed transmissions were available, depending on model and equipment. The V6 on the 1985 model and part of the 1986 production year came with a 4-speed with a final drive ratio of 3.65. The 1984 production line saw two transmissions, a performance 4-speed with a final drive ratio of 4.10, and an economy 4-speed with a final drive ratio of 3.32. All 4-speed manual transmissions were built at the Muncie, Indiana Allison plant.

Automatic Transmission Final Drive Ratios:. All automatic-equipped Fieros were equipped with the TH125 three-speed with torque converter lockup. A large following of owners still exists with many web pages, groups, and clubs devoted to the car. The 1984 Fiero was the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500 for 1984, beating out the new 1984 Corvette for the honor.

The Fiero 2M4 was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1984. Additionally, a multitude of different General Motors engines have been installed by enthusiasts, from the Quad-4 engine to the Chevrolet small-block V8. Due to an abundance of replacement parts available from other General Motors vehicles, there are many upgrades that can be done to improve performance and reliability of the cars. The Fiero has a strong following of owners and customizers today.

However, the vehicles left today have most certainly been serviced by GM during the recall. They were purchased by GM by the ton, not by quality. The fires in the 2.5 L engine were due mostly to poorly made connecting rods. GM technicians blamed these borrowed parts for the engine fires (which was not entirely true) that resulted from a number of mechanical design flaws.

For example, some of the front suspension was taken from the Chevrolet Chevette[1] (the rear being partially from the GM X-body cars). Budget constraints on Pontiac forced them to borrow parts from other product lines. Officially, production ended due to insufficient profits. By the end of production, the Fiero had received updated suspension and body styling, but kept a limited offering of engines—the use of turbochargers or the newer DOHC straight-4 engines never made it to production.

The sports car potential of this car was greatly reduced due to cost-cutting however, and came under fire from critics—its publicity did not match its initial performance. The Fiero was modified slightly, borrowing many parts, into a performance vehicle. The Fiero was also the first and only two seater Pontiac ever made, until the 2006 introduction of the Pontiac Solstice. The public, however, had other ideas for the only mid-engined car ever mass produced in North America.

Due to a "cool" reception by GM mangement and accountants, it was finally sold to GM as a fuel-efficient commuter car. The Fiero was designed by Hulki Aldikacti as a Pontiac sports car. . The Pontiac Fiero was a mid-engine sports car built by the Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors from 1984 to 1988.

1987-1988: 3.33. 1984-1986: 3.06. V6