The Pontiac Bonneville is an automobile built by Pontiac from 1957 to 2005. Bonnevilles were full-sized, with the exception of a brief period of mid-size between 1982–1986. The brand was introduced as a limited production performance convertible during the 1957 model year. The Bonneville (known as the Parisienne in Canada until 1981), and its platform partner, the Grand Ville, are some of the largest Pontiacs ever built; in station wagon body styles they reached just over 230 inches (5.8 m) long, and at 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg) and more were also some of the heaviest cars produced at the time. Also, they came with a Jetaway 315 and also were available as hearses.
Ninth generation (MY 1992–1999)
Unveiled on February 8, 1991, at the 1991 Chicago International Auto Show and launched in July 1991 for the 1992 model year, the interior and exterior of the car were completely redesigned. Developed over a 4 1/2 year period from 1986 to early 1991 under program director Dave Mitchell, styling work took place from 1987 to 1988, with a final design by John Folden being chosen in 1988 and frozen for production that same year. The first prototypes were built in 1989 and went into testing in mid-1989. In August 1990, production preparation began, with early production "builds" being constructed during late 1990. The first series production models were assembled in May 1991, with SE variants being launched in July 1991.
The trims were redone once again, the LE trim (which had standard six-passenger seating) was removed, the SE was now the base model (the only model to offer six-passenger seating as an option), the SSE was now the mid grade and a new top of the line trim was now added, the SSEi, which received a standard passenger-side airbag. According to GM's Pontiac division, these trim acronyms have no implied meaning.
The base and midlevel models were provided with GM's naturally-aspirated 3.8-liter V6, while the SSEi received the supercharged version. All engines came paired with a 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission. SSEi models got dual airbags and antilock brakes. SE and SSE models made due with a driver-side airbag and optional ABS. This generation hosted quite a few Bonneville firsts, becoming quicker and considerably safer. One of the most notable improvements over the previous generation was that the Bonneville SE now came standard with a driver airbag and was the first General Motors product equipped with a passenger airbag, while ABS was available as part of the sport appearance package. The SSE models came with standard ABS and traction control.
The new N/A 3800 Series I (RPO: L27) engine was used, producing 170 hp (127 kW) and 225 lbf⋅ft (305 N⋅m), as well as the newly designed force inducted Series I 3800 (RPO: L67) equipped with an Eaton M62 roots type supercharger which made 205 hp (153 kW) and 260 lbf⋅ft (353 N⋅m). The newly revised N/A L27, for the 1992 model year only, was not equipped with an EGR Valve, and can be distinguished by its white intake manifold, as opposed to black from 1993 and on.
For 1993, the Sport Luxury Edition (SLE RPO: H4U) was offered. This is essentially an SE sub-trim with more standard features such as leather seats, electronic climate control, automatic headlights, premium sound, and "crosslace" alloy wheels, though certain items such as electronic climate control and premium sound could be deleted from an SLE equipped car. This option package designation remained only on the RPO sticker until 1998, when SLE badges were added to the exterior of the vehicle. This continued onto the '99 model year. Many more standard options were available with the SSE. The SSEi came standard with most of the available options in the lower models, including the supercharged 3800 (RPO: L67).
For 1994, a new Generation III Eaton M62 supercharger came, along with new OBD-1.5 capabilities, raising the horsepower to 225 hp (168 kW), while torque was raised to 275 lbf⋅ft (373 N⋅m). Also, this year introduced the new five-spoke "Torque Star" wheels. A resonator also became standard on the exhaust to lower the raspy tone that the engine produces. Passenger airbags also became standard on all models.
For 1995, the car retained the same appearance, but the SE and SSE trims received a new naturally aspirated engine, the Series II (RPO: L36). This engine made 205 hp (153 kW) and 230 lbf⋅ft (310 N⋅m). The SSEi remained equipped with the Series I SC 3800 (RPO: L67) engine until the 1996 model year, when it too was updated.
In March 2008, GM announced that these engines and other GM engines supplied with Dexcool antifreeze coolant might be prone to intake manifold failure and other problems with the cooling system if proper regular maintenance is not correctly performed. After settlement of a class-action lawsuit, GM agreed to compensate owners of many vehicles that suffered damage, regardless of negligence on the part of the consumer, if the consumer can prove damages.
MY 1996–1999
In September 1995, styling changes were introduced for the 1996 model year facelift. Some things were subtly reshaped, and other things, such as the tail lights, headlights, grille, and lower body cladding were drastically changed. The gap narrowed quite a bit regarding the exterior trim between packages. The previous generation showed an entirely different style of cladding and rear lighting for the SSE and SSEi, while this generation, at first glance, remains the same between the trims, with of course, the exception of the unique front bumper and grille. Also for 1996, the supercharged version of the 3800 Series II engine was introduced for the Bonneville. The SSEi and optionally the SSE got a new Eaton M90-supercharged L67, producing 240 hp (179 kW) and 280 lbf⋅ft (380 N⋅m). This engine was used from 1995 until it was retired from the Bonneville in 2003.
In 1997, Pontiac made a 40th Anniversary Edition to mark the 40th year of production of the Bonneville. Pontiac made six models: the SE, the 40th Anniversary SE, the SSE, the 40th Anniversary SSE, the SSEi, and the 40th Anniversary SSEi. The 40th Anniversary SSEi is the rarest model with a total production of 637 units. The 40th anniversary models all had a VIN with Y40. According to GM, all L67 equipped SE's are just SE's. But, it also means that in order to have this engine, they had to have RPO H4U: Sport Luxury Edition (SLE). But since this was not a model, it had no badging in 1995 (and supposedly not for 1996-1997), it was just an option for the SE. Since the L67 was not part of the SLE option, ordering an SE with H4U would get you the mini console in the headliner, the cobra head shifter, performance/normal shift selection buttons, leather interior, chrome delete side and bumper moldings, center shift console, and touring suspension—but no supercharger. But in order to get the supercharger in an SE, you had to also pay for the SLE option. The SLE optioned SE was supposed to compete with European sedans in appearance and performance, whereas the SSEi was to be more of an American muscle sedan. A new transmission, the 4T65-E was introduced in 1998 for the naturally aspirated 3800 installed in SE and SSE models, and the heavy-duty version, otherwise known as the 4T65E-HD was introduced in 1997 for the supercharged 3800 installed in the SSEi models.
Source: Wikipedia
1 and 2 are my pics
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