Pontiac LeMans: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Pontiac LeMans version to choose depends mainly on whether you want the strongest engine, the only fully documented performance package, a classic manual drivetrain, or the later FWD layout.
The Pontiac LeMans version to choose depends mainly on whether you want the strongest engine, the only fully documented performance package, a classic manual drivetrain, or the later FWD layout. Among the listed versions, the third-generation 6.6 AT has the highest output at 330 hp, while the third-generation 5.8 AT is the only version with measured acceleration, top speed, fuel consumption, kerb weight, and tank capacity. The second-generation 3.5 MT and 5.3 MT provide a classic RWD/manual combination, whereas the sixth-generation 1.5 MT, 1.5 AT, 2.0 MT, and 2.0 AT use FWD and offer a choice between Manual and Automatic transmissions. The catalogue contains 7 generations covering 1962–1993, with Cabrio, Estate 5-door, Coupe, Sedan, and Hatchback 3-door bodies.
Pontiac LeMans generations: what changed
The first generation covers 1962–1963 and has a Cabrio body. No versions are listed for it, so its engine, gearbox, drive, performance, economy, dimensions, and weight are not measured in the supplied data. It therefore cannot be compared numerically with the later Pontiac LeMans generations.
The second generation, produced from 1964–1967 as a Cabrio, has 2 versions. The 3.5 MT combines a 3500 cc, 165 hp Inline 6-cylinder Gasoline engine with a 3-speed Manual gearbox and RWD. The 5.3 MT combines a 5300 cc, 250 hp V-shaped 8-cylinder Gasoline engine with the same 3-speed Manual gearbox and RWD. Choosing 5.3 MT adds 1800 cc and 85 hp; calculated specific output is approximately 47.1 hp per litre for both versions.
The third generation covers 1968–1972 and remains a Cabrio, but expands to 3 versions, all with RWD and Automatic gearboxes. The 5.7 AT produces 265 hp from 5700 cc, the 6.6 AT produces 330 hp from 6600 cc, and the 5.8 AT produces 255 hp from 5798 cc. Compared with 5.7 AT, 6.6 AT adds 900 cc and 65 hp. The 5.8 AT is 10 hp below 5.7 AT and 75 hp below 6.6 AT, but it is the only third-generation version whose torque, acceleration, speed, consumption, tank capacity, and kerb weight are measured.
The fourth generation covers 1973–1977 and changes to an Estate 5-door body. Its 2 versions are the 5.7 AT with 150 hp and the 6.6 AT with 230 hp. Both use V-shaped 8-cylinder Gasoline engines, a 3-speed Automatic gearbox, RWD, Carburetor fuel delivery, and no boost. The 6.6 AT adds 900 cc and 80 hp over the 5.7 AT. Relative to the third-generation versions with the same names, the fourth-generation 5.7 AT has 115 hp less, while the fourth-generation 6.6 AT has 100 hp less.
The fifth generation covers 1978–1981 as a Coupe and contains only the 3.8 AT. Its 3751 cc V-shaped 6-cylinder Gasoline engine produces 115 hp and 237 Nm, paired with a 3-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD. It is the least powerful listed RWD version, but its maximum torque arrives at 2000 rpm, the lowest measured torque-speed figure in the data.
The sixth generation begins with a Sedan produced from 1988–1991 and continues with a restyled Hatchback 3-door produced from 1991–1993. Each body has the same 4 named versions: 1.5 MT, 1.5 AT, 2.0 MT, and 2.0 AT. All use FWD, Inline 4-cylinder Gasoline engines, 2 valves per cylinder, and no boost. The body changes at restyling, but the listed outputs remain 75 hp and 123 Nm for both 1.5 versions and 97 hp and 160 Nm for both 2.0 versions.
Pontiac LeMans engine options and specs
Because several version names recur across generations, the generation and body are included beside every exact database name.
| Generation and body | Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second, Cabrio | 3.5 MT | 165 hp | not measured | 3500 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | not measured | 3-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second, Cabrio | 5.3 MT | 250 hp | not measured | 5300 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | not measured | 3-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third, Cabrio | 5.7 AT | 265 hp | not measured | 5700 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | not measured | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third, Cabrio | 6.6 AT | 330 hp | not measured | 6600 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | not measured | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third, Cabrio | 5.8 AT | 255 hp | 481 Nm | 5798 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | not measured | 2-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth, Estate 5-door | 5.7 AT | 150 hp | not measured | 5700 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth, Estate 5-door | 6.6 AT | 230 hp | not measured | 6600 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fifth, Coupe | 3.8 AT | 115 hp | 237 Nm | 3751 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Sixth, Sedan | 1.5 MT | 75 hp | 123 Nm | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Sixth, Sedan | 1.5 AT | 75 hp | 123 Nm | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Sixth, Sedan | 2.0 MT | 97 hp | 160 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Sixth, Sedan | 2.0 AT | 97 hp | 160 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Sixth restyling, Hatchback 3-door | 1.5 MT | 75 hp | 123 Nm | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Sixth restyling, Hatchback 3-door | 1.5 AT | 75 hp | 123 Nm | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Sixth restyling, Hatchback 3-door | 2.0 MT | 97 hp | 160 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Sixth restyling, Hatchback 3-door | 2.0 AT | 97 hp | 160 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
The third-generation 6.6 AT leads the catalogue at 330 hp. Calculated specific output is 50.0 hp per litre, compared with approximately 46.5 hp per litre for the third-generation 5.7 AT and 44.0 hp per litre for the third-generation 5.8 AT. The sixth-generation 1.5 versions calculate to approximately 50.1 hp per litre, while the 2.0 versions produce approximately 48.5 hp per litre. Despite their slightly lower calculated output per litre, the 2.0 versions deliver 22 hp and 37 Nm more than the 1.5 versions.
Pontiac LeMans performance and mpg
The third-generation 5.8 AT is the only version with measured performance and economy figures. It accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 11.4 seconds and reaches 202 km/h. Consumption is measured at 22.9 l/100 km in the city, 13.5 l/100 km on the highway, and 18.7 l/100 km combined. The difference between its city and highway figures is 9.4 l/100 km.
For the first generation and every listed version other than the third-generation 5.8 AT, 0–100 km/h acceleration is not measured, top speed is not measured, and city, highway, and combined fuel consumption are not measured. The higher horsepower of the third-generation 6.6 AT therefore does not establish a measured acceleration or speed advantage over 5.8 AT.
Pontiac LeMans dimensions, weight, clearance, and tank capacity
The third-generation 5.8 AT has a measured kerb weight of 1570 kg. With 255 hp, that gives a calculated weight-to-power figure of approximately 6.16 kg per hp. Gross weight is not measured, and kerb and gross weight are not measured for every other version.
Ground clearance is measured only for the sixth-generation Sedan and restyled Hatchback 3-door versions. The 1.5 MT, 1.5 AT, 2.0 MT, and 2.0 AT all have 135 mm of ground clearance in both body styles. Ground clearance is not measured for the first through fifth generations.
Tank capacity is measured only for the third-generation 5.8 AT, at 76 litres. Tank capacity is not measured for all other versions. Wheel sizes are not measured for any generation or version. Exterior length and other exterior dimensions are also not measured in the supplied data.
Which Pontiac LeMans version should you buy?
Choose the second-generation 5.3 MT if the priority is the stronger of the two 1964–1967 manual versions. It has 250 hp, which is 85 hp more than the 3.5 MT, while retaining a 3-speed Manual gearbox and RWD. Choose the 3.5 MT instead if the 3500 cc Inline 6-cylinder engine matters more than the 5300 cc V-shaped 8-cylinder engine.
Choose the third-generation 6.6 AT if maximum listed horsepower is the deciding factor. Its 330 hp output exceeds the third-generation 5.7 AT by 65 hp and the 5.8 AT by 75 hp. However, its torque, acceleration, top speed, consumption, tank capacity, and weight are not measured.
Choose the third-generation 5.8 AT if verifiable specifications matter more than peak listed horsepower. It supplies 481 Nm at 2800 rpm, measured 0–100 km/h acceleration of 11.4 seconds, a measured top speed of 202 km/h, a 1570 kg kerb weight, and a 76-litre tank. It is the only version for which a buyer can compare measured performance, economy, and weight together.
Choose the fourth-generation 6.6 AT over the fourth-generation 5.7 AT when power is the priority within the Estate 5-door range. Its 230 hp output is 80 hp higher, and both use a 3-speed Automatic gearbox, RWD, Carburetor fuel delivery, and V-shaped 8-cylinder engines. Choose the 5.7 AT only if its smaller 5700 cc displacement is preferred to the 6600 cc engine; economy for both is not measured.
Choose the fifth-generation 3.8 AT if you specifically want the sole listed Coupe. It produces 115 hp and 237 Nm from 3751 cc, with a 3-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD. Its acceleration, top speed, consumption, weight, clearance, tank capacity, and wheel sizes are not measured.
For the sixth generation, choose 2.0 MT for the strongest manual configuration: it provides 97 hp and 160 Nm through a 5-speed Manual gearbox. Choose 2.0 AT for the same power and torque with a 3-speed Automatic gearbox. The 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT each make 75 hp and 123 Nm, so moving to either 2.0 version adds 22 hp and 37 Nm. Select the 1988–1991 Sedan or the 1991–1993 restyled Hatchback 3-door according to body preference; the listed engine output, transmission choices, FWD layout, suspension, brakes, and 135 mm clearance are unchanged between them.
Prices, vehicles for sale, reliability records, and problem data are not provided, so they cannot support a version recommendation here. On the measured catalogue figures alone, the third-generation 6.6 AT is the horsepower choice, the third-generation 5.8 AT is the evidence-rich performance choice, and the sixth-generation 2.0 MT is the strongest listed FWD/manual choice.