1990 PONTIAC Grand Prix Coupe 3.1L V6 4AT FWD (129 HP)

Vehicle Overview

In 1990, Pontiac ranked third in U.S. car sales, and it described itself as an exciting brand, confirmed partially by the Grand Prix Coupe model.

Pontiac was one of the most successful American car brands for decades. Models such as the Trans Am or the Grand Prix were on the sporty side of the brand. Starting with 1988, Pontiac installed the new front-wheel-drive W-Body 1st Gen platform shared with the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and the Chevrolet Lumina. But people more often saw the Grand Prix Coupe on the track days than in front of the Opera. In 1990, the carmaker refreshed the two-door vehicle.

The design team made the car’s front fascia with a tilted nose and narrow headlights. On the lower side of the bumper, Pontiac installed its specific split grille with a vertical slat in the middle. Its long doors allowed a comfortable ingress and egress for all passengers. At the back, a flat trunk lid and corner-mounted taillights completed the car’s sporty look. For the Turbo version, an aerodynamic bodywork cladding package and functional hood louvers screamed for attention and became highly controversial, together with the car’s golden light-alloy wheels.

Inside, Pontiac dropped the digital instrument panel and installed an analog one with two large dials for the speedometer and tachometer, plus another four gauges for additional information. At the front, the Grand Prix featured two power-adjustable bucket seats. The carmaker placed two individual seats in the back, divided by a fixed center armrest instead of a bench and a folding armrest.

Under the hood, Pontiac replaced the former 2.8-liter V-6 with a new 3.1-liter powerplant, with or without a turbocharger. The turbocharged version provided almost 80 ponies more than its non-turbocharged version. Both versions sent their power to the ground via a four-speed automatic transmission.