Daewoo Lacetti
| Daewoo Lacetti | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | GM Daewoo |
| Also called | Buick Excelle Buick Excelle HRV Chevrolet Lacetti Chevrolet Nubira Chevrolet Optra Chevrolet SRV Holden Viva Suzuki Forenza Suzuki Reno |
| Production | 2003–2009 |
| Assembly | Bupyong, South Korea Bogota, Colombia |
| Designer | Giorgetto Giugiaro Pininfarina |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.4 L Template:Auto bhp Petrol I4 1.6 L Template:Auto bhp Petrol I4 1.8 L Template:Auto bhp Petrol I4 2.0 L 126 hp (94 kW) I4 2.0 L 127 hp (95 kW) I4 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | Template:Auto in |
| Length | Template:Auto in (sedan) Template:Auto in (hatchback) Template:Auto in (Forenza station wagon) Template:Auto in (Optra station wagon) weight = 1220 - 1290[clarification needed] |
| Width | Template:Auto in |
| Height | Template:Auto in (sedan & hatchback) Template:Auto in (station wagon) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Daewoo Nubira Chevrolet Cavalier (in Mexico) Suzuki Esteem (wagon) |
| Successor | Suzuki SX4 (For Forenza & Reno) [1] |
The Daewoo Lacetti is a compact car made by the South Korean automaker GM Daewoo. It is available as a four-door sedan, a five-door hatchback or a five-door station wagon.
The sedan and wagon are designed by Pininfarina, and the hatchback by Giorgetto Giugiaro, and launched in 2002. The hatchback, known as Lacetti-5 in Korea, was introduced in summer 2003. A second generation version, which was a facelift of the original was released in 2006.
The TV programme Top Gear currently uses a Lacetti for its 'Stars in Reasonably-Priced Cars' feature. It formerly used a Suzuki Liana.
Markets
Australia/New Zealand
In Australia and New Zealand, the Daewoo Lacetti was briefly sold between 2003 and 2004 as a four-door sedan. During the 'Asian Economic Crisis', Daewoo became technically insolvent and the company withdrew from the Australian market.
From 2005, the Lacetti (sedan and wagon) and Lacetti 5 were sold together as the Holden Viva. It was introduced at around the same time as the Daewoo Kalos-based Holden Barina. Unlike the current Barina, however, the Viva is meant to be below the premium Holden Astra as a budget alternative.
Despite the Viva's lower price compared to the Astra (AUD$17,990 compared to AUD$21,990), the Astra outsells the Viva by a factor of about two-to-one.[1]
Canada
The Lacetti was available in Canada as the Chevrolet Optra in two models, a four door hatchback (the Optra5), and an Optra Wagon, all in LS or LT trim levels. The sedan was available in 2004 and 2005, but was removed in 2006. All are powered by the 2.0 L inline-4 engine, rated at 119 hp (89 kW) at 5400 rpmand 126 ft·lbf (171 N·m) of torque at 4000 rpm, driving the front wheels through either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic. The car was positioned as a versatile and fun to drive but affordable budget compact family car. Brakes are disc, front and rear. The Optra slotted between the Cobalt and the Aveo, and it replaced the Daewoo Nubira.
Independent suspension, 15 inch wheels, and CD player were standard on the LS sedan, with optional ABS and air conditioning; the LT adds standard air conditioning and cruise control, Standard Fog Lamps on both LS & LT, and an optional sunroof. Length is 177.7 in (4515 mm) on a 102.4 in (2600 mm) wheelbase; width is 67.9 in (1725 mm), height 56.9 in (1445 mm) and weight 2756 lb (1250 kg). The sedan is rated as an Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle.
The Optra5 hatchback was added to the lineup in 2005 and was more contemporary in styling and equipment, with projector type headlights and fog lamps, clear taillight lenses, blackout grille, and minimal front and rear overhang with length only 169 in (4295 mm) on the same wheelbase, height, and width. Weight is 2765 lb (1254 kg). In addition to the same options available on the sedan LS and LT models, an options package containing alloy wheels, sunroof, spoiler, leather steering wheel and shift knob, and steering wheel mounted controls for the 8 speaker audio system was in keeping with the younger enthusiast market.
The Optra Wagon was also added to the lineup in 2005 but shares styling with the sedan. While wheelbase and width are also shared with the sedan, the wagon is taller at 59.1 in (1500 mm) and slightly longer at 179.7 in (4565 mm), and heavier at 2855 lb (1295 kg). The wagon has standard alloy roof rails, 60/40 folding rear seat, and a 12 volt power outlet in the rear compartment, in addition to the same options available on the sedan LS and LT models.
On November 1, 2007, General Motors Canada announced that it was discontinuing the importation of Optra for 2008.
China
In China, the cars are marketed as the Buick Excelle sedan and HRV (hatchback). The sedan, which is also assembled in China, features an updated exterior.
Europe
In Europe, the car was initially sold as Daewoo Lacetti, but by the end of the 2004 it was rebadged as a Chevrolet. As with its home market, in some European markets, the Lacetti name is also used for the entire range of sedan, station wagon and hatchback models on the same J-series platform. In Finland and Germany, for example, only the hatchback is sold under the Lacetti name.
The European models are available with the following three gasoline-powered 4-cylinder engines:
- 1.4 L E-TEC II — 93 hp (69 kW) at 6300 rpm
- 1.6 L E-TEC II — 108 hp (80 kW) at 5800 rpm
- 1.6L DOHC engine sedan (4-Door) Template:Auto bhp 0-100 km/h: 10.9 sec., top speed: Template:Auto km/h MT
- 1.6L DOHC engine hatch (5-Door) Template:Auto bhp 0-100 km/h: 10.6 sec., top speed: Template:Auto km/h MT
- 1.8 L E-TEC II — 120 hp (90 kW) at 5800 rpm
- 2.0 L E-TEC II — 132 hp (101 kW) at 5800 rpm
- 2.0L DOHC engine sedan(4-Door) Template:Auto bhp 0-100 km/h: 9 sec., top speed: Template:Auto km/h MT
In Europe the sedan version was also sold as Daewoo Nubira, but late in 2003 it was announced that Daewoo would be rebranded as a Chevrolet on the European markets and sales of the Chevrolet Nubira began early in 2004, initially only in Eastern Europe. Following the rebranding of Daewoo products as a Chevrolets across Europe, Nubiras were renamed Chevrolet Lacetti on some markets, thereby expanding the Lacetti lineup to include not only a 5-door hatchback, but also sedan and station wagon models, in line with Korea.
The engines built for the Nubira and its badge engineered twins are the same as in Lacetti hatchback and its badge engineered versions. The 1.8L four cylinder is sourced from the Australian car maker, Holden and is identical to the engine used in the 2004 Astra. It is commonly known as the "Family 2 unit". All of them are gasoline-powered 4-cylinder engines.
India
The Lacetti is manufactured in India and sold as the Optra and the hatchback version is sold as the Chevrolet Optra SRV (formerly known/sold as Chevrolet SRV), which they plan to get out with a 2L diesel engine in the near future.
The Optra is sold with two engine options, 1.6 L and 1.8 L. In the first option it is available in three trim levels, the Elite, the Elite LS, and LT Royale. In the second engine option it is available in two levels, the LT and the LT AT, the latter coming with automatic transmission.
In 2007 GM India have come out with a diesel engined Optra called the Optra Magnum. The Magnum has a slightly different nose, and interiors as compared to the petrol version. Now both the petrol and diesel versions sport the new nose (like that of the Optra SRV but with a slightly different front grill) and tail lights, and are sold as Optra Magnum petrol/diesel.
Japan
In Japan, Suzuki briefly distributed the Lacetti as the Chevrolet Optra station wagon. It was available in two trim levels, the LS and the LT. Both came with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission with a console shift. The Optra Wagon was powered by a 1.6 L or 1.8 L engine.
Mexico
In Mexico, the Lacetti came to the market in 2006 as Optra to replace the Chevrolet Cavalier, and it is sold only as a sedan.
Colombia
In Colombia, the sedan came in 2004 as Optra to replace the Chevrolet Esteem, and hatchback versions of the Lacetti came in 2006 to be assembled as Chevrolet Optra, in 2008 the new Optra is called Optra Advanced.
Pacific Islands
In Singapore, Chevrolet replaced the Daewoo nameplate after GM bought Daewoo. It still offers the same line-up from Daewoo, namely the Optra sedan, Optra station wagon and Optra5 hatchback in Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. The vehicles use the 1.6 L or 1.8 L engine with an automatic transmission available for selected models.
United States
Suzuki marketed a rebadged Lacetti as the Forenza and Reno beginning in the United States in 2004 — following the end of Daewoo's North American operations in 2002 and replacing the Daewoo Nubira station wagon and sedan. The Forenza/Reno falls between the Aerio (later SX4) and the now-discontinued Verona. In the territories of Guam and Northern Mariana Islands, it is sold as a Chevrolet Optra, but it is only available as a sedan.
The US model line features the 2.0L 4-cylinder E-TEC II made by Holden, developing a maximum power of 126 hp at 5600 rpm.
Automotive News says the Forenza and Reno will be discontinued within the 2008 model year, and the Forenza sedan has been replaced by the Suzuki SX4 sedan after the 2008 model year.
-
2004-2005 Suzuki Forenza EX -
2006-2008 Suzuki Forenza -
2006-2008 Suzuki Reno -
2006-2008 Suzuki Forenza station wagon
Successor
The replacement for the Lacetti, which will share its mechanical design with the Opel Astra Mk3, is due on sale in Q2 2009 and will be called Cruze.[2]
World Touring Car Championship
Manufacturer-backed Lacettis are raced in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). The race cars are powered by the 1998 cc engine tuned to deliver approximately 270 bhp (201 kW; 274 PS) and are designed, built and entered by Ray Mallock motorsport on behalf of Chevrolet Europe. Since Chevrolet's entry to the category in 2005, [1] have won several races but so far failed to consistently challenge the leading BMW and SEAT teams. The 2008 drivers are Italian ex-F1 driver Nicola Larini, Briton Rob Huff and Swiss former British Touring Car Champion Alain Menu. Ex-works privateer-run Lacettis also race in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC)[2].
References
- ^ a b "Suzuki to dump two models, says publication". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2007-08-24. Cite error: The named reference "drive.com.au" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ Chevrolet Cruze Coming to Paris - The Car Connection
External links
