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Geo Tracker sport-utility boosted by more doors, more space
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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Steep gravel slopes and muddy flats of a challenging off-road course carved from infield spaces at Wisconsin's Road American race track failed to daunt forward progress of the new sport-utility wagon, thanks to on-demand traction flowing from all four wheels.
This vehicle's engine, with four cylinders aboard and a single cam mounted on top, only generated 95 horsepower but its aluminum block compensated by paring excess weight.
The plant produced adequate torque in low range to keep 15-inch all-season radials rolling through all that loose gravel and gummy goo.
In the cabin, two high-back buckets stood in front of a 2-person rear bench, with space in the back for camping gear or luggage.
One more thing: This latest sport-utility, wearing the worldly badge of Geo, sported four passenger doors.
Geo builds a sport-ute with four doors?
Seems the pint-size Tracker finally grew up.
Geo's midget sport-utility, produced in Canada in a joint agreement between General Motors and Suzuki of Japan, formerly carried only two doors in a wee version which conformed to hardtop and convertible formats.
It was an austere little thing but, as the no-frills marketing position implied, highly affordable.
Tracker remains affordable, only for the 1996 line Geo adds a big-brother Hardtop wagon with four doors, on-demand 4-wheel-drive and some interior perks to make this one feel comfortable while you're plowing through rough off-pavement territory such as the trail of dirt and mud at Road America.
Adding a 4-door wagon to subcompact Tracker creates a daunting array of sport-utility wagons for Chevrolet and its Geo line of captive imports.
It means a lot more than a one-size-fits-all philosophy because between the two brands of Chevrolet and Geo now you'll find a 4-door sport-utility wagon available in small, medium, large and even giant dimensions, thanks to Tracker, Blazer, Tahoe and Suburban.
No where else will a SUV wagon shopper find so many choices for size, power and traction at a single site.
Why choose an eensy-weensy sport-ute?
Perhaps the most important consideration could be the constraints of a tight budget.
Trackers in the 1996 display of 2-door and 4-door models carry sticker figures which fall well below the average price of an automobile today -- particularly one rigged with expense-adding mechanisms of 4-wheel traction.
Beyond the factor of affordable prices, another reason to pick a mini-wagon like Tracker may be found in lifestyle choices of its drivers.
It works on dry pavement as well as dirt and can confidently navigate rain-slick or snow-covered streets.
When properly rigged, it can haul a trailer weighing up to 1,500 lbs., and with the wagon format for cargo may serve as an able weekend warrior to take you places a conventional car cannot go.
Besides, the 4-door Hardtop looks rugged and serious.
Its strength begins with a sturdy steel frame which stretches to the full length of the vehicle and employs ladder-type cross members which resist twisting to stabilize the platform when navigating rugged off-road terrain.
Adding malleable suspension components like the front MacPherson-type struts and rigid rear axle with lower trailing arm plus large 15-inch wheels and tires sets up an impressive vertical ground clearance of 7.9 inches to avoid off-road obstacles like rocks, stumps and bumps.
Tracker's 2-speed transfer case, a standard feature on the 4-door Hardtop this year, splits torque from the engine and applies it intelligently to front and rear wheels to prevent slippage. To shift from rear-wheel to 4x4 mode, you must stop Tracker to throw the gear lever.
Base and LSi models have manually locking front hubs, with hubs that lock automatically offered optionally.
Both variations pack a power-assisted steering system of recirculating ball design, and both have power assisted brakes with front discs.
For safety, all Trackers this year receive dual airbags to shield front seat riders from frontal crashes.
A concealed steel frame forms a protective safety cage around the passenger compartment, with front and rear crumple zones built into the chassis structure.
Daytime running lights, which consume less energy than full lighting and operate automatically with the engine, make Tracker more visible to other vehicles.
Inside, Tracker's spaciousness may surprise you.
Because of the wheelbase extension to create the 4-door edition, Tracker has more room for people. The tall stance of the Hardtop's superstructure sets up good vertical space too, with more than 40 inches of headroom, for instance, in front and back seat positions.
Front riders sit on comfortable reclining bucket seats divided by a center console with twin cupholders and storage recesses for personal gear.
The rear bench, which folds when not needed for passengers to make more storage space for cargo, provides over 50 inches of shoulder room for each of two people.
Cargo capacity expands to 45 cubic feet, with access through a rear gate.
Comfort and convenience features range from carpeting throughout the interior to a rear window defogger and complete instruments including tachometer.
Tracker LSi gets front and rear floor mats, dual outside mirrors and special exterior trim elements.
Options begin with air conditioning but extend to 4-wheel disc anti-lock brakes, cruise control and stereo sound, plus packaged conveniences like power windows.
Tracker 4-door also provides an advanced automatic 4-speed transmission with brake-shift interlock for safety.
Then for serious off-road maneuvers, skid plates may be added to protect sensitive undercarriage components.
1996 GEO TRACKER
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1996 GEO TRACKER Specs |
| Description: |
Subcompact Sport-utility |
| Model Options: |
Subcompact Sport-utility |
| Wheelbase: |
2-door: 88.6 inches
4-door: 97.1 inches |
| Overall Length: |
2-door: 142.5 inches
4-door: 158.7 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 1.6-L I-4 16v
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/3/4 |
| Drive: |
Rear, AWD |
| Braking: |
Power disc/drum,
opt. 4-disc/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
23/26 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 13,000 to $ 16,000 |
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