fiero

Fiero is a word of Italian origin meaning proud or fierce. In English-language usage, it is most commonly associated with the Pontiac Fiero, a mid-engine sports car produced by General Motors under the Pontiac division from 1984 to 1988. The Fiero was GM's first mass-produced mid-engine car and was developed as an affordable, compact vehicle intended to offer sharp handling and modern styling.

The car uses a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout with a fiberglass or composite body mounted on a steel chassis. It was initially equipped with a 2.5-liter inline-four engine, and from 1985 a 2.8-liter V6 was offered. The design emphasized light weight and balanced weight distribution to enhance handling, with a two-seat configuration and modular construction that allowed for later styling updates.

During its run, the Fiero appeared in several trims, including the base coupe, the SE, and the sporty GT variant with the V6 and revised styling. Total production runs approached about 370,000 units before production ended in 1988. The Fiero was praised for its innovative packaging and potential performance, but early quality problems and recalls affected its reputation.

Today, the Pontiac Fiero is regarded as a notable example of a mid-engine American production car and a symbol of 1980s automotive experimentation. It has a dedicated enthusiast community, substantial aftermarket support, and a place in automotive history as a precursor to later GM mid-engine concepts.