Overview

Chevrolet's newest entry in a sport utility market it created six years ago with the S-10 Blazer is a fun and funky runabout called Tracker.

Designed and developed to meet GM's four-wheel-drive light truck performance standards, Tracker is a four-passenger, four-wheel-drive product of a joint effort between General Motors and Suzuki of Japan. It is two feet shorter than the S-ID Blazer, but its wheelbase is only one foot shorter.

Neither Chevrolet nor any other company has ever produced a vehicle quite like it. Of all the vehicles now built for GM by Japanese affiliates, Tracker has received by far the most U.S.-based engineering input.

Tracker will be marketed by Chevrolet as part of its new Geo family of smaller motor vehicles. Availability in the 1989 model year will be limited primarily to the West and East Coasts -- Washington, Oregon, California, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, the District of Columbia, Michigan and Hawaii.

All Trackers feature driver-actuated 4x4 drivetrains.

Vital Tracker statistics include a tight 86.6-inch wheelbase and 142.5-inch overall length.

Overall width is 64.2 inches. Overall height is 65.4 inches.

Three models comprise the Tracker sport utility line -- a two-door Tracker, up-level Tracker LSi and the Tracker convertible. All feature spacious accommodations for four passengers and a large 32 cubic foot cargo area (with the rear seat folded flat).

Total interior space rivals much larger vehicles. Front leg room is 42.1 inches, rear leg room is 31.7 inches. Hip room is 1.3 inches greater than Blazer in front and 4.5 inches more in the rear.

Tracker is built on a strong ladder-type frame. Front suspension is MacPherson strut with arm-mounted coil springs. Trailing arms, upper A-arm and rearward-angled shocks and coil springs with a live axle comprise the rear suspension.

Together with its wide stance, Tracker delivers more than expected in ride, handling and isolation.

The steering system features manual recirculating ball gear and conventional steering linkage.

Three-point belts are standard in all positions. Five-mph bumpers are also standard.

Power is supplied by a Suzuki-designed 1.6 liter 4-cylinder engine with single-point electronic fuel injection. The engine delivers 80 hp at 5500 rpm and 94 lbs./ft. torque at 3000 rpm.

Preliminary estimates rate fuel economy at 25 mpg city/27 mpg highway with the standard 5-speed manual transmission. The Tracker LSi with standard 3-speed automatic transmission is estimated at 22 mpg city/23 mpg highway.

Manually locking hubs and a floor-mounted 2-speed transfer case shift lever provide positive selection of 2WD or 4x4 operating modes.

Power-assisted front disc/rear drum brakes incorporate a height-sensing proportioning valve that distributes braking force to the front and rear wheels according to loading conditions. P205/75R15 on/off-road steel-belted radial tires are standard.

For wide-open fun, Geo Tracker convertible is in a class by itself. The full-folding canvas top has a unique "sunroof" feature. In addition to folding completely down or being removed completely, the front section may be folded back for a town car appearance.

Other convertible features include roll-down glass door windows and a zip-out clear plastic rear window.

High-back cloth reclining front bucket seats, a fold-down rear bench seat, instrumentation with tachometer, coolant temperature and trip odometer, heavy-duty heater/defroster with 4-speed fan, side window defoggers and fully carpeted floor are standard.

Also standard: an easy-entry front seat, rear shoulder belts, door storage pockets, lockable glove box and assist straps at each passenger seat.

Exterior equipment includes a full-size, rear-mounted spare tire with lock and optional cover (standard on the LSi), halogen composite-type headlamps, dual outside rearview mirrors, argent rally wheels and tow hooks, front and rear.

Non-convertible Trackers are equipped with swing-out rear side windows, electric rear window defogger, interior dome light and full length fabric headliner.

Tracker LSi may bring a new dimension to stylish four-wheeling.

Equipment available only on Tracker LSi includes:

• Custom interior trim with "see-through" adjustable head restraints.
• Fold-and-stow rear bucket seats.
• Automatic transmission.
• Air conditioning with tinted glass.
• Chrome rally wheels and white-letter tires.
• Intermittent windshield wipers.
• Rear window wiper/washer.

The 1989 Geo Tracker is available in four exterior colors -- white, bright blue metallic, red and dark gray metallic.

Optional equipment on all models includes a choice of Delco AM/FM stereo music systems, front differential and transfer case skid plates, spare tire cover and trailer hitch/harness.