Opel Kadett E
Kadett E | |
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Opel Astra F |
The Opel Kadett E was introduced in August 1984, and was the sixth generation of the
Design
The car was noted for its advanced aerodynamics and distinctive "teardrop" shape - mirroring the trend in the mid 1980s for swooping aerodynamic styling - with the front end styling taken directly from the Opel Tech 1 concept car of 1981, although some styling cues from the Kadett D were retained for continuity such as its 'Kamm tail' and oversized C-pillar extraction vent.
A convertible version was also available, for the first time in 1987, built by Bertone of Torino, Italy, bringing it to line with competitors, such as the
The Kadett E was a
Gallery
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Opel Kadett Caravan (1984–1989)
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Rear
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Opel Kadett sedan (1985–1989)
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Opel Kadett 3-door (1989–1991)
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Opel Kadett 5-door (1989–1991)
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1989 Opel Kadett GSi (Europe)
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Opel Kadett sedan (1989–1991)
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Opel Kadett GSi "Superboss". South African market. (1989–1995)
Other markets
South Africa
In the early 1990s, South African Kadett GSi's were further upgraded based on their success in production car racing and initially 500 special units were built as road cars for homologation purposes. This was a minimum requirement for entry into the Stannic Group N races. They went against BMW's 325iS (A 2.7 L homologation special from BMW). They featured more aggressive 276-degree camshafts made by Schrick with 2 different settings for timing overlap (110° and 107°), revised intake and exhaust modifications (4-in-1 branch manifold and freeflow exhaust), Irmscher spring kit, modified engine management system by Promotec, a limited-slip differential developed by Andre Verwey and special Aluett 7Jx15-inch ET35 alloy wheels, they were nicknamed the "Superboss"[9] and held the world record for the most torque per litre (114 Nm per litre) for a naturally aspirated car until being beaten by the Ferrari 458 (117 Nm per litre) in 2009. After the required 500 units were produced, many more were built to satisfy public demand.
Chevrolet Kadett
Chevrolet Kadett | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | General Motors do Brasil |
Also called | Chevrolet Ipanema |
Production | 1989–1998 |
Assembly | São José dos Campos, Brazil (1989–1996) São Caetano do Sul, Brazil (1996–1998) |
Body and chassis | |
Body style | 3/5-door hatchback 3/5-door station wagon |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 1.8 L I4 2.0 L I4 |
In Brazil, the Kadett E succeeded some versions of the
Originally the Kadett was available with a 1.8 or a 2.0 liter engine, shared with the Ascona-based Chevrolet Monza. The 1.8 has 95 PS (70 kW) and the 2.0 (gasohol-powered only) 110 PS (81 kW). The original versions were SL, SL/E, and GS, with the GS sporting 14 inch alloys and body-coloured bumpers. With a Cx of 0.30, the GS was the most aerodynamic car yet built in Brazil at this time.[11] Along with some minor changes to the gearing and tires in June 1990, the 2.0 was introduced in a petrol version - which was downgraded to 99 PS (73 kW). It is likely that the claimed power was understated,[12] but for tax reasons it was beneficial for Brazilian manufacturers to stay under the 100 horsepower mark at the time.[13]
In September 1991, the German Kadett was replaced by the Opel Astra, but it continued on in Brazil. When catalytic converters became required, the engines were updated with fuel injection in 1992, and all gained a few horsepower. This was also when the 121 PS (89 kW) 2.0 GSi was added to the lineup, recognizable by a roof-mounted antenna, spoilers, alloys, and clear turn signals in front.[14] For 1993, an automatic option was added and in April 1993, a more practical five-door Ipanema wagon was added to the lineup. The Ipanema also became available with the ethanol-fueled 110 PS (81 kW) 2-litre engine.[15]
Between 1991 and 1994 the Cabriolet ("Kadett GSi Conversivel") was also marketed. The body-in-raw was shipped to Bertone in Italy to be turned into a convertible, then returned to Brazil to be finished - a six-month process.[15] The Conversivel was only available with the same 2.0-litre multi-point electronic injection engine with 121 PS (89 kW) which was installed in the GSi.[16] In 1990, as a tie-in with the Italia '90 World Cup, the "Kadett Turim" (Turin) was offered. The Ipanema was also sold in three special editions: the Wave, Sol, and Flair. These were offered in 1992, 1993, and 1994.
In 1994, the equipment levels SL and SL/E were changed to GL and GLS, in line with other new Brazilian Chevrolet products.[15] In April 1994, for the 1995 model year, the car was updated with a new dashboard and the power window controls were moved from between the seats to the doors. The 1995 GLS and GSi were actually discontinued in 1994, as a lowered import tariff enabled Chevrolet to begin importing Belgian-built Astras.[17] Tariffs again jumped (from 20 to 70%) in February 1995, and thus a Kadett 2.0 Sport was introduced as the Astra was no longer offered.
Facelift
Originally the Chevrolet Kadett looked identical to the early German version with the grille integrated to the bumper, but in 1996, the Kadett received a facelift with a separately inserted grille, at which time the Ipanema was discontinued. In April, the GLS version was reintroduced.[17] The Kadett was manufactured in Brazil until 1998, although the Ipanema ended production earlier as it was replaced by the Corsa Station Wagon (introduced in 1997).[18] Because of emssions regulations, for the last two years the Kadett was only available with the fuel injected 2-liter engine with 110 PS (81 kW).[10] For 1998 only the Kadett 2.0 GLS remained.
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The original Chevrolet Kadett had a version of the original integrated grille (1989–1996)
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1996 facelift model, built until 1998
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Chevrolet Ipanema, original version
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Two Chevrolet Ipanemas, a five-door and a three-door
Daewoo versions
The Kadett E formed the basis of the
References
- ^ Schmitt, Hans-Georg. "Eaglemoss Opel Designer Collection".
- ^ "Rewind to 1985: Opel Kadett". Quicks. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
- ^ "Previous winners". Car of the year. Archived from the original on 2009-02-02. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
- ^ "Opel Monza commercial, 1986". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-12.
- ^ South African Digest. Department of Information. 1986. p. 58.
- ISBN 3-444-00458-3.
- ^ a b Cornaert, Jean-Jacques (31 March 1988). "Opel Kadett GSi 16V". Le Moniteur de l'Automobile (in French). 3 (896). Brussels: Editions Auto-Magazine: 17–18.
- ^ European Motor Business, Issues 24-27, Economist Intelligence Unit, 1991, page 102
- ^ "Opel Kadett Superboss". africanmusclecars.com. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^ ISBN 3-444-10516-9.
- ^ Samahá, Fabrício. "Chevrolet Kadett". Carros do Passado [Cars of Yesteryear] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Best Cars Web Site. p. 2. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
- ^ Samahá, Chevrolet Kadett, p.3
- ^ Samahá, Fabrício. "A ditadura do imposto" [The tax dictatorship] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Best Cars Web Site. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
- ^ Samahá, Chevrolet Kadett, p.4
- ^ a b c Samahá, Chevrolet Kadett, p.5
- ^ Quais eram as diferenças entre o Opel Kadett GSi e o Chevrolet Kadett GSi? (in Portuguese). Brazil: Flatout.
- ^ a b Samahá, Chevrolet Kadett, p.6
- ^ Pereira, Fabiano, ed. (2016). Grandes Brasileiros: Chevrolet Kadett (in Portuguese). Vol. 92. Brazil: Site Revista Quatro Rodas editora Abril.