page_title: Pontiac Bonneville
section_title: 1996–1999
hierarchical_section_title: Pontiac Bonneville / Ninth generation (1992–1999) / 1996–1999
caption_attribution_description: English: 1996-1999 Pontiac Bonneville photographed in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
context_page_description: The Pontiac Bonneville is an automobile built by Pontiac from 1957 to 2005. Bonnevilles were full-sized, with the exception of a brief period of mid-size between 1982–1986. The brand was introduced as a limited production performance convertible during the 1957 model year. The Bonneville, and its platform partner, the Grand Ville, are some of the largest Pontiacs ever built; in station wagon body styles they reached just over 230 inches long, and at 5,000 pounds and more were also some of the heaviest cars produced at the time. They were also available as hearses.
context_section_description: In September 1995, styling changes were introduced for the 1996 model year facelift. Some things were subtly reshaped, and other things, such as the tail lights, headlights, grille, and lower body cladding were drastically changed. The gap narrowed quite a bit regarding the exterior trim between packages. The previous generation showed an entirely different style of cladding and rear lighting for the SSE and SSEi, while this generation, at first glance, remains the same between the trims, with of course, the exception of the unique front bumper and grille. Also for 1996, the supercharged version of the 3800 Series II engine was introduced for the Bonneville. The SSEi and optionally the SSE got a new Eaton M90-supercharged L67, producing 240 hp (179 kW) and 280 lbf⋅ft (380 N⋅m). This engine was used from 1995 until it was retired from the Bonneville in 2003.
  In 1997, Pontiac made a 40th Anniversary Edition to mark the 40th year of production of the Bonneville.  Pontiac made six models: the SE, the 40th Anniversary SE, the SSE, the 40th Anniversary SSE, the SSEi, and the 40th Anniversary SSEi. The 40th Anniversary SSEi is the rarest model with a total production of 637 units. The 40th anniversary models all had a VIN with Y40. According to GM, all L67 equipped SE's are just SE's. But, it also means that in order to have this engine, they had to have RPO H4U: Sport Luxury Edition (SLE). But since this was not a model, it had no badging in 1995 (and supposedly not for 1996-1997), it was just an option for the SE. Since the L67 was not part of the SLE option, ordering an SE with H4U would get you the mini console in the headliner, the cobra head shifter, performance/normal shift selection buttons, leather interior, chrome delete side and bumper moldings, center shift console, and touring suspension—but no supercharger. But in order to get the supercharger in an SE, you had to also pay for the SLE option. The SLE optioned SE was supposed to compete with European sedans in appearance and performance, whereas the SSEi was to be more of an American muscle sedan. A new transmission, the 4T65-E was introduced in 1998 for the naturally aspirated 3800 installed in SE and SSE models, and the heavy-duty version, otherwise known as the 4T65E-HD was introduced in 1997 for the supercharged 3800 installed in the SSEi models.
  Engine availability
  170 hp (130 kW) L27 - SE (92-94), SLE (93-94), SSE (92-94)
  205 hp (153 kW) L36 - SE (95-99), SLE (95-99), SSE (95-99)
  205 hp (153 kW) L67 - SSE (92-93) optional, SSEi (92-93)
  225 hp (168 kW) L67 - SLE (95) optional, SSEi (94-95)
  240 hp (180 kW) L67 - SLE (96-97) optional, SSE (97) optional, SSEi (96-99)
caption: 1996-1999 Pontiac Bonneville
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