Chevrolet S-10

The Chevrolet S-10 is a compact pickup truck produced by Chevrolet. It was the first domestically-built compact pickup of the big three American automakers. When it was first introduced as a "quarter-ton pickup" in 1981 for the 1982 model year, the GMC version was known as the S-15 and later renamed the GMC Sonoma. A high-performance version of the latter was released in 1991, called "Syclone". The pickup was also sold by Isuzu as the Hombre from 1996 through 2000, but only in North America. There was also an SUV version, the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer/GMC S-15 Jimmy. An electric version was leased as a fleet vehicle in 1997 and 1998. These models are sometimes internally referred to as the S/T series to denote two- and four-wheel-drive models respectively (similar to the full-size Chevrolet C/K trucks) despite all versions being badged with "S" nomenclature.

In North America, the S-series was replaced by the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Isuzu i-Series in 2004.

The S-series ended production in Brazil in 2012, being replaced by the Chevrolet Colorado, but still with the name S-10.

First generation (1982)

left|thumb|1998–2003 GMC Sonoma

left|thumb|2001–2004 Chevrolet S-10 crew cab

The second-generation trucks arrived for the 1994 model year. All of the special models (the Syclone, Typhoon, and Sonoma GT) were discontinued, but the changes to the pickup brought it in line with its major competitor, the Ford Ranger. The Iron Duke 4-cylinder and 2.8 L 60° V6 engines were discontinued, the 4.3 L Vortec V6 was enhanced, and a new 2.2 L 4-cylinder engine (which had been introduced in 1990 on various front-wheel-drive GM compact and mid-size platforms) became the engines of choice to power the second generation of S-10s. In compliance with the Clean Air Act, all second-generation S-10s and Sonomas equipped with air conditioning used CFC-free R134a refrigerant beginning with the 1994 model year. The all-new 1994 S-10 did not offer any airbag, presumably as a temporary measure to economize the introduction of the new body styles, as well as to gradually phase out steering wheel designs that did not accommodate for airbags, though the vehicle itself was slated for airbag capability.

Many of the chassis components were the same as the first generation (the control arms between the first and second generation were the same, originally sourced from GM's G-body platform), along with the steering knuckle, leaf springs, and differential assembly but suspension and axles were greatly enhanced. Lower control arms for the two-wheel drive model had 1/4-inch thicker steering stops; the second-generation control arms are commonly used as an upgrade for the first generation. SUV models (Blazer, Jimmy, Bravada) came with thicker front and rear sway bars.

Generally, for the two-wheel-drive trucks, the 8.5-inch rear end was only used when it came with both a manual transmission and the L35 W-code V6 engine; it was an option for four-wheel-drive trucks with either transmission. This was also the year that GM introduced the ZR2 off-road package.

For 1995, a driver's-side airbag was added as well as daytime running lights. In 1996, the 4.3 L engine was refreshed, and a third (rear) door was added for extended cab models, along with the bed option. In 1998, the exterior, interior, brakes, and 2.2 L I4 engine were refreshed, along with a "next-generation" supplemental restraint system that added a passenger-side air bag. The SS package was replaced by the "Xtreme" package. In 2001, a crew cab option was added and was only available with four-wheel drive and an automatic transmission. For the 2004 model year, the regular and extended cab models were discontinued; only the crew cab model was retained. Production ended in January 2004.

Base two-wheel-drive models came with 15×6.5" wheels with directional vents, and Xtreme and ZQ8 models came with 16×8" wheels, while four-wheel-drive models (including the ZR2) used 15×7" wheels. The wheels used on the first generation were discontinued.

File:Green sonoma.jpg|1994–1997 GMC Sonoma regular cab

File:94-97 GMC Sonoma.jpg|1994–1997 GMC Sonoma Extended Cab

File:Chevrolet S-10 Pickup.jpg|1996 Chevrolet S-10 (European version)

File:2001 Chevrolet S-10 ZR2.JPG|2001 Chevrolet S-10 ZR2

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Electric versions

Solectria Corporation offered the E-10, which was an electric vehicle conversion of the S-10 starting in 1993. U.S. Electricar also offered S-10 conversions starting in 1994. In 1997, General Motors introduced the Chevrolet S-10 EV, a battery-electric version of the S-10 pickup. The S-10 EV used the same front-wheel-drive powertrain as the GM EV1.

1998 restyling

For 1998, the Chevrolet S-10, GMC Sonoma, and Isuzu Hombre received a mid-cycle refresh. On the exterior, the front fascia was redesigned, and new wheel designs were added. The interior received a full redesign, with "TheftLock" anti-theft functionality for most radios, improved audio systems (including newly designed radios), new interior front door panels, an optional combination cassette and CD player radio, redesigned keyless entry remotes, a new steering wheel, dual airbags, a new instrument cluster with digital odometer and gear shift indicator for automatic transmission-equipped models, and new seat fabrics.

Crew Cab (2001–2004)

For the 2001 model year, a four-door Crew Cab configuration was introduced for the Chevrolet S-10 and GMC Sonoma (just three years before the full-size Silverado 1500 added it). Available exclusively in LS or SLS trims, the Crew Cab included many features that were optional on other S-10 models, such as four-wheel drive, full power accessories (windows, door locks, exterior side mirrors, and keyless entry), dual front bucket seats, fifteen-inch five-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels, an AM/FM stereo radio with TheftLock capabilities, a single-disc CD player, and Automatic Tone Control (ATC), a six-speaker audio system, a tachometer for the instrument cluster, and air conditioning. Leather-trimmed seating surfaces were also introduced for the Crew Cab for the first time.

ZR-5 Sport Package

Available exclusively on the Chevrolet S-10 and GMC Sonoma LS and SLS Crew Cab models, the ZR-5 Sport Package was a sport appearance package that added black front and rear bumpers, fifteen-inch (15") machined aluminum-alloy wheels, "ZR-5" pickup side box decals to the standard S-10 and Sonoma LS and SLS Crew Cab models.

SS

The Chevrolet S-10 SS was a high-performance version of the S-10, introduced in 1994. Fewer than 3,000 SS units were produced yearly on average. When introduced, the SS was only sold in three colors: Onyx Black, Summit White, and Apple Red. The SS was discontinued in 1998 and was replaced by the S-10 Xtreme for the 1999 model year.

A 4.3 L V6 (which was optional on regular S-10s) was the standard engine used in the SS, producing between 180 and . The SS included a limited-slip differential, lowered suspension (starting with the 1996 model year), cosmetic changes such as a different grille, body-colored bumpers, 16-inch wheels (available from 1996 to 1998, similar in design to the 1991 and 1992 Camaro Z28 with Chevrolet "bowtie" logo center caps), and other minor cosmetic differences. All SS versions were regular cabs, while Xtremes were available with the "third door" extended cab. A Stepside bed version was available from 1996 to 1998 and until 2003 on the Xtreme.

ZR2

The ZR2 package was an off-road package available for the second generation S-10. The ZR2 package included a wider track width, a boxed ladder-type frame with modified suspension mounting points, larger wheel and axle bearings, 31-inch all-terrain tires, a suspension lift (approximately three inches more ground clearance versus a regular four-wheel drive S-10), upgraded Bilstein suspension, fender flares, alloy wheels, and an 8.5-inch Chevrolet 10-bolt rear differential with 3.73:1 gears and an Eaton MLocker (coded as G80).

Isuzu Hombre

thumb|left|1996–1997 Isuzu Hombre single cab

In 1996, Isuzu replaced its P'up with a version of the Louisiana-built Chevrolet S-10, the Isuzu Hombre, based on the Brazilian-market S-10 (the front grille and fenders are based on the Brazilian S-10 along with the truck bed sheetmetal). The Hombre differed from its GM siblings mostly in the front sheetmetal, with different lights, grille, front bumper, and front fenders, which were more flared out. The rear quarter panels were also different, as they had a slight flare over the wheel well to match the front fenders. The Hombre had a much smaller range of equipment options compared to the S-10 and Sonoma; a Spacecab extended cab, V6 engine, and four-wheel drive were added for 1997 and available until 1998.

Two trim levels were offered: the base S and the uplevel XS. The XS had features like a cassette tape deck, higher-grade interior fabric, a tachometer, sliding rear window, and a split 60/40 seatback. Hombres were equipped with the S-10's 15×7" steel wheels (with 8 directional vents); the Hombre wheels were painted black (the S-10, Sonoma, and Blazer/Jimmy wheels were painted silver) since a majority were equipped with wheel covers with the Isuzu logo. Hombres were also available with the S-10's aluminum wheels with Isuzu center caps.

Slow sales resulted in production ending in 2000. It would be another six years before Isuzu re-entered the pick-up market with the i-Series, which formed the basis for the S-10's successor, the Colorado.

South America and China (1994–2012)

File:Chevrolet S-10 CN 01 China 2016-04-01.jpg|Chinese and South American version 1994–2001 (pre-facelift)

File:Chevrolet_S-10_Apache_2.8_2006_(44780381374).jpg|South American version (facelift)

File:Chevrolet_S-10_Apache_DLX_2011_(11825116104).jpg|South American version (second facelift)

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Engines

||2.2 L Vortec 2200 (LN2) I4|| @ 5200 RPM|| @ 2800 RPM||4

|1998–2003 ||2.2 L Vortec 2200 (L43) I4|| @ 5000 RPM|| @ 3600 RPM||5

|1994

| @ 4400 RPM

| @ 2800 RPM

|1996–1999 w/ 2WD

S10 Max (2021)

thumb|Chevrolet S10 Max (Mexico)

In late 2021, General Motors introduced the S10 Max for the Mexican market and several other Latin American countries. Imported from China and produced by SAIC, it is a rebadged Maxus T70.

Sales

{| class="wikitable"

!Year

!Brazil

|2001

|27,511

|2002

|21,307

|2003

|14,111

|2004

|14,024

|2005

|15,007

|2006

|18,895

|2007

|22,636

|2008

|31,440

|2009

|39,346

|2010

|43,187

|2011

|42,818

|2012

|47,721

|2013

|54,255

|2014

|50,821

|2015

|33,085

|2016

|26,558

|2017

|30,449

|2018

|31,763

|2019

|32,166

|2020

|26,642

|2021

|35,058

|2022

|27,132

|2023

|25,967

|2024

|27,393

|2025

|31,458

References

External links

(Brazil)
Syclone Typhoon & Sonoma GT News & Information