| Pontiac Astre (Series 2H)[1] | |
|---|---|
.jpg) 1976 Pontiac Astre | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Pontiac (General Motors) |
| Production | 1972–1977 |
| Model years | 1973–1977 |
| Assembly | Lordstown, Ohio, U.S. (Lordstown Assembly) South Gate, California, U.S. (South Gate Assembly) Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec, Canada (Sainte-Thérèse Assembly) |
| Designer | GM & Chevrolet Design staffs Chief stylist, Bill Mitchell |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Subcompact |
| Body style | 2-door notchback sedan 2-door hatchback coupe 2-door wagon 2-door panel delivery |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | GM H platform (RWD) |
| Related | Chevrolet Vega |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 140 cu in (2.3 Liter) OHC I4 (1973-77) 151 cu in (2.5 liter) OHV I4 (1977) |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual 4-speed manual 5-speed manual w/overdrive Turbo-Hydramatic 3-speed auto. |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 97.0 in (2,464 mm) |
| Length | 176.4 in (4,481 mm) (1974-on) |
| Width | 65.4 in (1,661 mm) |
| Height | 50.0 in (1,270 mm) |
| Curb weight | 2,760 lb (1,250 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Pontiac Sunbird |
The Pontiac Astre is a subcompact automobile that was marketed by Pontiac as a rebadged variant of the Chevrolet Vega. Initially marketed in Canada for model years 1973–1974, the Astre debuted in the U.S. for the 1975 model year, competing with other domestic and foreign subcompacts that included the Mercury Bobcat, Volkswagen Rabbit, and Toyota Corolla.
Built on the H-body platform, the car was available in hatchback, notchback, wagon, and panel delivery body styles. The Astre shared the aluminum-block 2.3 liter inline-four engine with the Vega through 1977, while the final 1977 models offered Pontiac's all-iron 2.5 liter inline-four engine as an option. The Astre was cancelled with the Vega at the end of the 1977 model year, although the wagon continued for 1978 and 1979, rebadged as part of the Pontiac Sunbird line. The word "astre" is Catalan for "star", a shared naming convention for the Vega.[citation needed]