A $30 million, fully independent Lotus-designed suspension graced the 1988 Fieros chassis, which finally let the car live up to its performance promise. Shorter spindles, smaller scrub radius, reduction of kingpin angle, longer A-arms and a 28mm: anti-roll bar replaced the Chevette pieces at the nose.

A new sub frame with different attaching points, a three-link design, lower spring rates and a 22mm anti-roll bar did away with haggard old X-car pieces out back. A new model, the Formula, was introduced; it used the low-line body panels (including the roofline), but had full GT running gear and included the snazzy rear spoiler standard (it was optional on all other cars). T-tops were introduced as an option. Bright Red returned and Bright Yellow debuted, though Bright Blue was dropped, leaving it a one-year-only color.

Sadly, Fiero was axed at the start of 1988, making this orphan a beloved memory. Sagging sales couldn't justify continuing the car any further. Fiero never matched its first year sales peak, and a 1987 recall affecting 1984 cars that were prone to engine fires may have sealed its fate. Ideas for turbo engines and using aluminum instead of steel for the understructure never came to fruition, and a 1990 redesign was stillborn.

 

Here are the 88’s specs:

Models- Coupe, Formula, GT

Engines- 2.5L 4 cylinder on coupes, 2. 8L V-6 on Formula’s and GT’s.

Transmission- Getrag 5-speed Man., 3-speed Auto.

lllColors- Red, Black, Bright Yellow, White, Silver

Base Prices- Coupe- 8,999/Formula- 11,999/GT-13,999

Production Figures- Coupe- 19,553/Formula- 5,643/GT- 6,848

Performance

Model Trans Axle 0-60mph Qtr. mile Top Speed skidpad(g) braking 60-0

88 GT 5-speed 3.61 8.7 sec. 16.4 at 81.9mph 128mph .84 141 ft.

88 Formula 5-speed 3.61 7.9 sec. 16.0 at 85.5mph 132mph .83 145 ft.

 


FRONT Suspension
- Elimination of the steering damper assembly
- 30% shorter spindle length (90mm to 64mm)
- 30% shorter scrub radius (49mm to 35mm)
- 20% reduction in king pin angle (7 1/2 degrees to 6 degrees)
- 20% longer upper control arm length (177mm to 214mm)
- 25% longer lower control arm length (280mm to 350mm)
- Larger stabilizer bar (22mm to 28mm)
- 12 % shorter turning radius (11.4m to 10. 2 mm)

REAR Suspension
- Revised chassis cradle design for suspension attachments
- New tri-link design allowing for specific tuning of each
component
- Increased rearward rear wheel motion with jounce for reduced
impact harshness
- Lower spring rates (44 N/mm to 25 N/mm)
- Inclusion of 22mm stabilizer bar with the WS6 suspension package

The 88  models were cut down to just 3 models. 

The GT, coupe and the first and last year for the Formula option on the coupe.

Standard features on the Formula included the 2.8L V-6 standard on GT's .

The WS6 Suspension package which included special shocks and struts, a 28mm rear anti-sway bar (stabilizer bar), special bushings, and the only model in which a spoiler was a standard feature (excluding the INDY).

There were only 5,643 Formula’s produced, and it remains one of the top collectors items in the Fiero world.

The 88 Fieros also offered a brake caliper/rotor upgrade.

Also, the 88’s saw the first and last year for the Bright Yellow color, which is very rare since approx. 1,200 88’s came out of the factory in yellow, yet the rarest color on Formula's was silver.

The decisions to kill the Fiero was made on February 29, 1988. 
The very 2 last Fieros to roll off the line were given away to employees, Aug 16,1988 VIN 1G2PG1193JP226401 was given to Louis Manley and VIN 1G2PG1193JP226402 was given to Mike Kelley and with that and some tears the Fieros run was over.


              

                                     

 
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