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Chevrolet Prizm Sedan restructured with more power and space
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- On a blacktop route that follows wiggly bends of the Cumberland River, the new Prizm compact sedan from Chevrolet holds a firm and steady line through every curve, feeling stable and rooted to the road.
Goosy pedal power flows from a new 4-pack engine constructed from light-weight aluminum.
Inside, strapped to a comfy bucket, the test driver grips a sporty steering wheel in front of a new dashboard design with legible analog gauges, central controls for climate system, and a massive glove box. More storage spaces show up around a cabin containing new features for convenience and comfort.
The revised structure of Prizm expands space for passengers, particularly with front seat headroom. Front bucket seats increase in width and height, and they provide more support for lower back and thighs.
In back, Prizm's trunk stretches to 12 cubic feet, and the trunk opening has been enlarged to make access easier.
Considering all aspects of this revision, Prizm represents a fine effort in design and execution, and its transformation into a slick sedan for 1998 challenges class leaders due to the smooth styling, quiet ride quality and some nervy handling manners.
What you won't find attached to the revised Prizm is the label of Geo, which represented captive imports for Chevrolet from joint-venture Japanese manufacturing partners like Toyota. The Geo badge has been deleted for 1998 and all Geo models now group behind the blue bow-tie badge of Chevrolet to enlarge Chevy's car line.
As Prizm's new look resembles a fancy import, so too does it deliver the impressive ride quality of an import.
But is Prizm an import?
Well, no. And, in a way, yes.
The federal Department of Energy classifies Prizm as a domestic product because most of its components originate in the United State, and it comes out of a California assembly plant in Fremont.
However, international boundaries blur with Prizm's joint-venture development between General Motors and Toyota. Toyota's California design center provided many of the design concepts found in Prizm, while GM added marketing might through the vast network of Chevrolet dealers.
The result becomes a great car that's readily available, economical to operate and also sophisticated in appearance and performance, regardless of point of origin.
Thus, Prizm climbs quickly with the new edition into that special realm which one writer labels a World-Class Car -- it's as good as you'll get dollar for dollar, no matter from which country it originates.
What makes Prizm so good?
The answer rests in the summation of components, which begins with pleasing exterior shapes and continues with a new structure and rock-solid mechanicals.
Although it rides on a wheelbase of the same length as the previous edition, Prizm grows by more than an inch in length to create more interior space for passengers.
The new unitized structure measures firmer and stiffer than before and this sets up a rigid and stable system for attaching suspension components. In turn, Prizm's driving characteristics improve to fashion a smoother ride quality.
It also acts lively when asked.
In the power department, Prizm's new engine displaces 1.8 liters and wears twin cams on top. It musters up to 120 horsepower, or 15 more than the previous plant offered. Torque production also increases, with more juice available in lower gears.
Thanks to aluminum components, this engine also weighs less than the predecessor. Factor the weight loss with increased efficiency and Prizm brings better fuel economy figures -- up to 37 mpg for highway driving.
Transmission options start with a 5-speed manual but include a 3-speed automatic option for the base Prizm or an electronically-controlled 4-speed automatic for the upgraded trim, Prizm LSi.
Independent suspension components appear at each wheel, using a MacPherson strut with tube-type double action shock absorber, and a stabilizer bar added in the rear.
In addition, the power-assisted rack and pinion steering feels more accurate in this edition, as it reacts quickly on cue from driver to move front wheels.
Heading the list of safety features, dual front airbags are concealed in both of Prizm's trim editions.
Further, built-in crumple zones at the front and back of Prizm's frame serve as significant passive safety assets, and the car also supports steel door braces, plus daytime running lights and new 3-point seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters.
Two other safety options must be noted because their availability seems rare for an economy car: New side-impact airbags, which mount on outer edges of front seats to protect against side-impact crashes, show up on the list of options, as does an anti-lock brake system.
All of Prizm's safety components and handling hardware have been tucked behind a new exterior shape which looks stylish and contemporary, but also conservative.
A low and curvaceous prow displays a narrow front grille flanked at corners by twin headlamp clusters.
The bowed and raked windshield initiates a tall wrap of glass which emulates a greenhouse surrounding the passenger compartment. In back, the horizontal trunk lid rolls down to a blunted tail with corner lights and broad bumper.
Chevrolet completes the good deal for Prizm with attractive price points anchored in mid-teen figures.
The price-leading base Prizm carries a manual transmission, with standard equipment such as cloth-covered seating, intermittent windshield wipers and remote releases for trunk and fuel door.
Prizm LSi earns more standard equipment such as power door locks and enhanced seat fabrics, along with a rear seatback which splits and folds to access the trunk.
Options range from an automatic transmission and air conditioning to power door locks, stereo sound packages, tachometer and sunroof.
1998 CHEVROLET PRIZM SEDAN
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1998 CHEVROLET PRIZM SEDAN Specs |
| Description: |
Compact sedan |
| Model Options: |
Compact sedan |
| Wheelbase: |
97.0 inches |
| Overall Length: |
174.2 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 1.8-L I4
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/3, Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
Power disc/drum, opt. ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
M/5: 31/37 mpg
A/4: 28/36 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 13,000 to $ 16,000 |
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