Opel Ascona

Opel Ascona
Large family car (D)
Related	Vauxhall Cavalier Holden Camira Isuzu Aska
Chronology
Successor	Opel Vectra

The Opel Ascona is a

derivative.

The Ascona took its name from the lakeside resort of

designations for its models .

The Ascona was introduced in September 1970, lasting for 18 years and 3 generations and ended production in August 1988, to be replaced by the Opel Vectra A. The second and third generations of the Ascona were developed as global platforms by Opel's then parent General Motors, with various derivative versions manufactured by other GM divisions around the world.

In motorsport,

with an Ascona 400.

Ascona A (1970–1975)

Ascona A
I4 1584 cc 16N/16S CIH I4 1897 cc 19S CIH I4
Transmission	4-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	95.75 in (2,432 mm)
Length	164.5 in (4,178 mm)
Width	64.375 in (1,635 mm)
Height	54.5 in (1,384 mm)

In the fall of 1970, Opel presented its completely new vehicle range in Rüsselsheim (internal project code 1.450). The

sister model.

The Ascona was developed as a replacement to the Kadett, but late in the car's development Opel chose to instead develop a new, smaller Kadett and instead positioned the Ascona as a competitor to the successful Ford mid-sized Taunus range. The Opel Ascona A stayed in production until 1975. By that time, almost 692,000 vehicles of the first series had been produced.

The range featured petrol engines from 1.2 L to 1.9 L, with power between 60 PS (44 kW) and 90 PS (66 kW). The 1.2 L had an

developed a special version of the Ascona SR, with two single-barrel Solex carburettors, lifting power to 125 PS (92 kW).

Engines

• 1.2 S – 1,196 cc, 60 PS (44 kW)
• 1.6 N – 1,584 cc, 60–68 PS (44–50 kW)
• 1.6 S – 1,584 cc, 75–80 PS (55–59 kW)
• 1.9 S – 1,897 cc, 88–90 PS (65–66 kW)

Opel 1900 (US)

From 1971 to 1975, the 1.9-liter Ascona was exported to the United States as the "Opel 1900" and sold through Buick-Opel dealerships. All three body styles were offered at first, but the four-door sedan was dropped after 1973. In 1974, heavy rubber-clad impact bumpers were added in response to federal regulations. All Opels sold in the US in 1975 were equipped with

Due to the unfavorable Deutsche Mark to US dollar exchange rate, all Opels in Buick showrooms were replaced by Japanese-built Isuzu Geminis wearing Opel badges after 1975.

Ascona B (1975–1981)

Ascona B
Curb weight		1,050 kg (2,310 lb)[3] (approx)

The second generation Opel Ascona B was presented in August 1975 at the

.

The Ascona B retained the same engine range as its predecessor, versions with higher compression ratio and needing 98 octane petrol, dubbed S, were available alongside the 90 octane models. The first change took place in January 1976, when laminated window glass became available as a no-cost option. The 1.9 L "S" cam-in-head engine was replaced by the modernised 2.0 L (20S) in September 1977. The 20N became available in January 1978, and all models now also received electric windscreen washers. A 2.0 L diesel motor was added to the Ascona B range in 1978, mostly targeted at the Benelux countries and Italy, where local tax structures provided an incentive for diesel-powered automobiles - in 1979, 97% of diesels were exported, while 59% of petrol powered cars went in the export.^[4]

By the end of 1978 the 1.6 S engine was discontinued in Germany (where it was replaced by the 19N, with the same power but lower fuel consumption), but continued to be available in some markets in a somewhat down-tuned version with 70 PS (51 kW). In January 1979 the street legal version of the Ascona 400 with 2.4-liter engine (16 valves, 144 PS) appeared, followed a month later by the more prosaic 1.3 liter OHC engine. This largely replaced the old 1.2 liter pushrod unit which dated back to 1962, but production continued in dwindling numbers into 1980 for some export markets.^[5]

In September 1979 the Ascona received a minor facelift, including plastic bumpers and a grey front grille with a larger mesh. The 2.0 E engine with a Bosch L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection arrived in January 1980, after having been first installed in the Manta and Rekord models.^[6] The 2.0 E equipped Ascona also received an upgraded clutch shared with the sporting Manta GT/E.^[6] In January 1981 the Ascona underwent its last changes, when adjustments made to the 16N and 20N engines. The 1.9 N and 2.0 N engines were discontinued in the German market, while the 1.6 N engine was now only available coupled with an automatic transmission.

Over 1.2 million Ascona B units were produced worldwide until August 1981. The two millionth Ascona was an Ascona B, built in April 1980, and the one millionth Ascona sold in Germany was registered in July of that same year.^[7] The related Manta coupé versions however, remained in production until 1988.

Engines

• 1.2 N – 1196 cc, 55 PS (40 kW)
• 1.2 S – 1196 cc, 60 PS (44 kW) - 58 PS in Sweden and Switzerland (S12S)
• 1.3 N – 1297 cc, 60 PS (44 kW)
• 1.3 S – 1297 cc, 75 PS (55 kW)
• 1.6 N – 1584 cc, 60 PS (44 kW)
• 1.6 S – 1584 cc, 75 PS (55 kW), later 70 PS (51 kW)
• 1.9 N – 1897 cc, 75 PS (55 kW)
• 1.9 S – 1897 cc, 90 PS (66 kW)
• 2.0 N – 1979 cc, 90 PS (66 kW)
• 2.0 S – 1979 cc, 100 PS (74 kW)
• 2.0 E – 1979 cc, 110 PS (81 kW)
• 2.4 E – 2420 cc, 144 PS (106 kW)
• 2.0 D – 1998 cc, 58 PS (43 kW)

Export models

In the

.

South Africa

In

Ascona 400 rally car

First shown at Frankfurt in September 1979, the Ascona 400 was a homologation special sold only to make it eligible for rallying's Group 4 category.

.

The car was developed by Opel alongside the

which consisted of the same changes. Irmscher and Cosworth were hired as partners for the project, Cosworth to deliver a 16 valve double cam crossflow head for the engine, and Irmscher for the exterior and interior styling. Cosworth delivered the heads to Opel and Opel soon discovered a major mistake. The plan was to use the 2.0 litre engine block but this did not produce enough power. Time was running out and Opel badly needed to do something. Opel took the 2.0E block, installed forged pistons, different connecting-rods, and forged crankshaft with 85mm stroke. The result was a 2.4 litre engine. The 2.4 litre engine gave rise to some massive power outputs using the 16 valve head. The street versions of the 400 therefore came with 144 hp (107 kW) engines, using the Bosch fuel injection of the Manta GSi and GT/E series. However, in race trim they were delivered putting out 230 hp (172 kW), which could be improved further to 340 hp (254 kW), while still using normally aspirated engine components.

Irmscher delivered the rally trim for the exterior. Large and widened wings, light weight hood, front wings, rear boot lid and doors were also installed.

By 1984, the Audi Quattro appeared more powerful than ever and the Ascona 400 was rendered obsolete. But the Ascona 400 still has some remarkable records. The Ascona 400 was the last rear wheel drive rally car to win the drivers' world championship, ensuring its place in motorsports history.

WRC victories

No.	Event	Season	Driver	Co-driver	Car
1	30th International Swedish Rally	1980	Anders Kulläng	Bruno Berglund	Opel Ascona 400
2	50éme Rallye Automobile de Monte Carlo	1982	Walter Röhrl	Christian Geistdörfer	Opel Ascona 400
3	14ème Rallye Côte d'Ivoire	1982	Walter Röhrl	Christian Geistdörfer	Opel Ascona 400
4	31st Marlboro Safari Rally	1983	Ari Vatanen	Terry Harryman	Opel Ascona 400

Ascona C (1981–1988)

Ascona C
saloon 5-door fastback/hatchback 2-door convertible 3-door Curb weight		920–1,090 kg (2,028–2,403 lb)

The Ascona C was launched in August 1981 as part of

It was narrowly beaten to the

. The Ascona C underwent two notable facelifts during its term of production.

The range added an option of a five-door

were optional in the larger petrol units starting from 1986.

The Ascona C was also assembled in South Africa, where it was sold by GM South Africa, replacing the Chevrolet Ascona which was based on the Ascona B. It was dropped in 1986 and replaced by a sedan version of the Kadett E called the Opel Monza.^[12]

As before, there was no estate car version of the Ascona, although Vauxhall in the UK brought in the rear ends of the Holden Camira wagon (estate car) and adapted them to the Cavalier beginning with the 1984 model year.^[13][14] Opel continued to use the Ascona nameplate until the Vectra was launched in 1988, while the Cavalier name was retained by Vauxhall until 1995.

Timeline

• September 1981 – Introduction of the Ascona C as the successor for the Ascona B. This, the original version, is usually referred to as "C1" to distinguish it from the later, facelifted versions. Available bodystyles for the Ascona included 2- and 4-door Sedans and a 5-door Hatchback (the CC). Initial engine choice included the 1.3N (60 PS), 1.3S (75 PS), 1.6N (75 PS) and 1.6S (90 PS), all of which had a four-speed gearbox or optional three-speed automatic transmission for all except the 1.3 N. Trim variations included Base, L, Berlina and SR.
• 1982 – Introduction of the Ascona Diesel with a 1.6 (55 PS) engine, available with a five-speed gearbox. Introduction of the Ascona CD with higher level of equipment. A new 1.8E engine with LE-Jetronic (115 PS) and five-speed gearbox is introduced in September.^[15] Optional power steering, electric windows, electric mirrors and computer available at extra cost. The five-speed transmission was now also made available in the 1.6S. Introduction of Chevrolet Monza in Brazil, with a 1.6 engine and 3 door hatchback body style. Later the 1.8 engine was made available.
• 1983 – Modified ignition switch and door locks. Improvements made to water pump, valve seals and radiator hoses. Aftermarket convertibles were now available from Keinath^[16] (later also by Hammond & Thiede). Optional central locking and heated mirrors. Optional Sports suspension available for SR and 1.8 E engine. Automatically adjustable rear brakes now standard. As of May, the five-speed transmission was available in all models.^[17] Introduction of 2 and 4 door sedan bodystyle in Brazil.
• 1984 – C2: All models have a facelift with new CD-style radiator grille, new wheel trims, new front seat mountings, modified centre console, remote-adjustable door mirrors and height-adjustable steering wheel. 1.3S engine now has a new start-stop system. Improved clutch damping and headlight seals. Model names also changed: Base becomes LS, L becomes GL, Berlina becomes GLS, and SR becomes GT.
• 1985 – 1.8i engine with three-way catalyst introduced (100 PS). This engine was built in Rüsselsheim and only installed in cars built in that plant, meaning that it was not available in the two-door bodywork as that style was only manufactured in Antwerp.^[18] One-way catalysts are available for all engines. Modified clutch lining and door seals.
• 1986 – C3: All models are facelifted, this time with clear front indicator lenses, dark taillight lenses with fewer ridges, colour-keyed radiator grille, air vent, and front spoiler. GT now has front and rear spoilers. New engines were also available: 1.6i and 2.0i with three-way catalysts. 1.6 has Multec-central Injection system and 75 PS (55 kW), while 2.0 has Bosch Motronic Injection system and 115 PS (85 kW), with or without catalyst (
  20NE/C20NE
  ). The 1.3 was no longer available in the German market.
• 1987 – Non-catalyst 2.0i replaced by 130 PS (96 kW)
  20SEH
  version, only available with GT trim. Introduction of 2.0 engine in Brazil.
• 1988 – The GL model changes name to "Touring" (already used in 1986 for the last of the C2 Ascona's). August marks the end of production for the Ascona C, replaced by the Opel Vectra A.
• 1990 - 2 and 4 door sedan models are facelifted in Brazil.
• 1991 - Electronic fuel injection is adopted in Brazil.
• 1996 - End of production in Brazil.

Models

The following versions of the Ascona C were available, all with inline fours. Data is for the German market. There were certain differences in various export market models:^{[19][20][21][22]}

Engine		Cat.	Power				Torque			Transmission	Top speed		Fueltype	Equipment levels		Years
			PS	kW	hp	@ rpm	N·m	lb·ft	@ rpm		km/h	mph		before facelift	after facelift
1.3N	1297 cc	–	60	44	59	5800	94	69	3400–3800	4MT	150	93	normal	Std/J/Luxus/Berlina	LS/GL/GLS	81–86
1.3S	1297 cc	–	75	55	74	5800	101	74	3800–4600	4MT, 3AT	160	99	super	Std/J/Luxus/Berlina	LS/GL/GLS	81–86
1.6N	1598 cc	–	75	55	74	5600	123	91	3000–4000	4/5MT, 3AT	160	99	normal	Std/J/Luxus/Berlina	LS/GL/Touring/GLS	81–88
1.6E	1598 cc	●	75	55	74	5200	121	89	3400	4/5MT, 3AT	160	99	unleaded	—	LS/GL/Touring/GLS	86–88
1.6S	1598 cc	–	90	66	89	5800	126	93	3800–4200	4/5MT, 3AT	170	106	super	Std/J/Luxus/Berl./SR	LS/GL/GLS/GT/CD	81–86
↓	↓	–	82	60	81	5400	130	96	2600	↓	165	103	↓	—	LS/GL/GLS	86–87[23]
1.8N	1796 cc	–	84	62	83	5400	143	105	2600	4/5MT, 3AT	168	104	normal	—	LS/GL/Touring/GLS/GT	87–88
1.8E	1796 cc	–	115	85	113	5800	151	111	4800	5MT, 3AT	187	116	super	Luxus/Berl./SRE/CD	GL/Touring/GLS/GT/CD	82–86
↓	↓	●	100	74	99	5800	140	100	3000	↓	180	112	↓	—	LS/GL/GLS/GT/CD	85–86[24]
2.0E	1998 cc	–	115	85	113	5800	175	129	3000	5MT, 3AT	187	116	super	—	GL/Touring/GLS/GT	86–87
↓	↓	●	↓	↓	↓	5400	170	130	↓	↓	↓	↓	sup. unld.	—	LS/GL/Touring/GLS/GT	86–88
↓	↓	–	130	96	128	5600	180	130	4600	5MT	193	120	↓	—	GT	87–88
1.6D	1598 cc	–	54	40	53	4600	96	71	2400	4/5MT, 3AT	143	89	diesel	Std/J/Luxus/Berl./CD	LS/GL/Touring/GLS/CD	82–88

Chevrolet Monza

In Brazil, the Ascona C was sold from May 1982 until August 1996 as the Chevrolet Monza.^[25] Chevrolet did not use the Ascona brand because the Spanish and Portuguese word "asco" means "disgust, repugnance". Instead, it was named after the famous Italian circuit.

It was originally only available as a three-door hatchback, a body style unique to Latin America.^[26] However, two and four-door sedans appeared in March 1983.^[27] GM do Brasil also considered offering the Monza as a station wagon, and produced two full-size clay models, one with five doors and one with three doors, with a similar rear to the Holden Camira in Australia, which was also used as the basis of the Vauxhall Cavalier in the UK, but it never entered into production.^[28] However, Envemo began converting the four-door Monza sedan into a station wagon called the Camping, although it retained the rear doors and taillights of the sedan.^[29] Envemo also converted the two-door Monza sedan into a convertible.^[30] In 1989 the slow-selling liftback was discontinued, leaving only the two- and four-door three-box sedans.^[31]

Originally it was available with either a 1.6 or a 1.8 engine with 75 or 84 PS (55 or 62 kW).^[32] These were changed to more powerful 1.8 and 2.0s in 1986.^[27]

The Monza received a number of facelifts, the last one bringing its looks in line with those of current European GM products, with new fenders front and rear to accommodate new head and taillights. Diesel versions were available for export markets, most notably Uruguay and Argentina, powered by Isuzu's 4EC1 engine.^{[citation needed]}

The Monza first went on sale in Colombia in 1985 in a 4-door sedan body style, assembled locally by GM Colmotores. In Colombia, a top of the line sedan version was sold from 1987 to 1992 as the Monza Classic with a three-speed automatic transmission.^[33] In Venezuela it was assembled and sold from 1985 to 1990. Originally it was equipped with a carbureted 1.8-litre engine, but this was later replaced with a fuel-injected 2-litre unit.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Opel Ascona.

• Vauxhall Cavalier and Chevette Club - A vibrant Club that caters for owners, enthusiasts and restorers of the Vauxhall Cavalier MK1, Mk2 and Mk3
• Unofficial Opel website
• Opel Ascona C
• Classic Opel Parts database contain Ascona part information
• Website dedicated to the Opel Ascona B