Chevrolet Cavalier

Chevrolet Cavalier
Production period:	1981–2004, China: since 2016
Class :	Middle class
Body versions :	Sedan , station wagon , coupe , Combi Coupé , Cabriolet
Previous model:	Chevrolet Monza
Successor:	Chevrolet Cobalt Chevrolet Monza (China)

The Chevrolet Cavalier is a lower middle class car produced by the US manufacturer General Motors from spring 1981 to the end of 2004 . In Japan it was also offered as a Toyota Cavalier .

The name will be reused for a vehicle built by Shanghai GM in China since September 2016 below the Chevrolet Cruze .

Cavalier (1981-1994)

1st generation
Chevrolet Cavalier Sedan (1984–1988)
Production period:	1981-1994
Body versions :	Sedan , station wagon , coupe , Combi Coupé , Cabriolet
Engines:	Petrol engines : 1.8-3.1 liters (63-104 kW)
Length:	4303-4630 mm
Width:	1676-1684 mm
Height:	1321-1382 mm
Wheelbase :	2570 mm
Empty weight :	1011-1295 kg

In May 1981, Chevrolet presented the first-generation Cavalier with a 1.8-liter carburettor engine and front-wheel drive as a four-door sedan, which was technically and visually closely related to the Opel Ascona C on the GM-J platform (internally "J-Car" ) . Notchback coupe, hatchback coupe with tailgate and five-door station wagon.

With a length of just under 4.40 meters, the Cavalier turned out to be quite compact by US standards. The equipment levels ranged from the entry-level Cadet to the basic Cavalier to the top CL model. The standard consumption of the engine with the maximum output of 65 kW (89 PS) is 7.9 liters per 100 kilometers.

Most important changes

• 1983: Elimination of the Cadet and basic hatchback coupé, consistently slimmed-down equipment and lower prices, equipment designations: Basic / CL / CS. Five-speed gearbox for an extra charge. New two-liter engine with manifold injection and also 65 kW, but more torque, replaces the 1.8-liter engine. January 1983: Introduction of the Cavalier Convertible (Cabriolet).
• 1984: New front section with double headlights. Discontinuation of step and hatchback coupé in basic and CS equipment, equipment levels now: Basic / CS / Type 10 (new, only as two- and three-door coupé and convertible).
• 1985: For an extra charge in all models, 2.8-liter V6 engine with injection and 93 kW (127 hp).
• 1986: New sports version Z24 as a two- or three-door coupé with injected high-output 2.8-liter V6 engine and 90 kW (122 hp). Equipment levels Basic, CS, RS (replaces Type 10) and Z24.
• 1987: Getrag five-speed gearbox on request. Four-cylinder with electronic ignition and now 66 kW (90 hp). V6 engine with aluminum cylinder heads now delivers 93 kW or 97 kW (132 hp) in the Z24.
• 1988: Facelift with a new front section and a new roof (Coupé). Elimination of the hatchback coupé. Five-speed gearbox as standard throughout. Equipment levels basic RS-Z24. Cabriolet slips from the RS to the Z24 series.
• 1989: New entry-level model VL (Value Leader), only as a coupé. RS equipment is not applicable.
• 1990: Displacement of the two-liter engine increased to 2.2 liters (71 kW / 96 PS), V6 engine now 3.1 liters (101 kW / 137 PS). No convertible. VL now also as a sedan and station wagon.
• 1991: Reintroduction of the RS models including convertible. Equipment levels VL-RS-Z24.
• 1992: ABS and central locking as standard on all models. Cabriolet available as RS and Z24. Four-cylinder engine now 82 kW (112 hp), V6 engine now with 104 kW (142 hp).
• 1993: Price reductions, better noise insulation.
• 1994: Elimination of the VL Kombi, four-cylinder engine now with 90 kW. End of production in summer.

A total of 3.71 million copies of the first generation Cavalier were built, including a good 76,000 convertibles.

Sister models of the first Cavalier were:

• Buick Skyhawk (1982-1988)
• Cadillac Cimarron (1982-1988)
• Oldsmobile Firenza (1982-1988)
• Pontiac J2000, 2000, Sunbird (1981-1994)

The same platform also used:

• Vauxhall Cavalier MK2 (1981-1988)
• Daewoo Espero (Daewoo Aranos; 1991–1999)

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  Chevrolet Cavalier Coupé (1984–1988)

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  Chevrolet Cavalier Convertible (1984–1988)

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  Chevrolet Cavalier Wagon (1988-1994)

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  Chevrolet Cavalier Coupe (1988-1994)

Cavalier (1994-2005)

2nd generation
Chevrolet Cavalier Coupé (1994-1999)
Production period:	1994-2005
Body versions :	Sedan , coupe , convertible
Engines:	Petrol engines : 2.2–2.4 liters (86–112 kW)
Length:	4580 mm
Width:	1712 mm
Height:	1351-1392 mm
Wheelbase :	2645 mm
Empty weight :	1186-1313 kg

Rating in IIHS - Crash Test (1995), moderate overlap front	P
Evaluation in the IIHS crash test (2002), Front Driver Side

In autumn 1994 the second generation replaced the forerunner. Production began in August 1994. The Cavalier was available as a two-door coupé and four-door notchback limousine, as well as a convertible.

The completely new design was a bit shorter, but still offered more space in the interior. The 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine with 90 kW (122 hp) or in the Z24 a new 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 16 valves and two overhead camshafts of the quad- four still performed under the aerodynamically more favorable body . Series with 112 kW (152 hp).

From 1995 to 2000 a right hand drive version was sold as the Toyota Cavalier in Japan.

In 1996 a new 2.4-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine (112 kW) was added to the range, which replaced the 2.3-liter engine in the Z24 and was available in other models at an additional cost. The LS equipment now had a four-speed automatic transmission as standard.

The Cavalier started 1997 with improved side impact protection and the new additional RS equipment level (Coupé only).

In 1998 the convertible with LS equipment became part of the Z24 series. The basic four-cylinder engine only had an output of 86 kW (117 hp), but was smoother.

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  Rear view

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  Chevrolet Cavalier Sedan (1994-1999)

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  Chevrolet Cavalier Convertible
  (1994-1999)

Facelift

In the late summer of 1999, the series enjoyed a revision, but this was only visible on the outside in details such as changed aprons. A real novelty was the introduction of the Cavalier Bi-Fuel, which could run on petrol and natural gas.

In autumn 2002, a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine from the GM Ecotec family came under the hood of the series. This unit was the only engine that could be ordered for all versions.

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  Chevrolet Cavalier Sedan (1999-2003)

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  Chevrolet Cavalier Coupé (1999-2003)

At the beginning of 2003 a more profound facelift was carried out. A special feature was the radiator grille, now common in the Chevrolet family, with a cross strut on which the brand logo was attached.

In October 2004, Chevrolet stopped production of the Cavalier at GM's Lordstown plant . The total number of units up to and including 1999 was 1.24 million units, of which almost 20,000 were convertibles.

The sister model of the second generation Cavalier was the Pontiac Sunfire . The successor to the Chevrolet Cavalier / Pontiac Sunfire was the Chevrolet Cobalt from summer 2005 .

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  Chevrolet Cavalier Sedan (2003-2005)

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  Chevrolet Cavalier Coupe (2003-2005)

Cavalier (since 2016)

3rd generation
Production period:	since 2016
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Petrol engines : 1.0–1.5 liters (83–88 kW)
Length:	4544 mm
Width:	1779 mm
Height:	1467 mm
Wheelbase :	2600 mm
Empty weight :	1185-1225 kg

On September 2, 2016, the third generation of the Cavalier was launched in China; It was formally shown publicly for the first time on the same day at the Chengdu Auto Show . The vehicle is built by Shanghai GM and is a revised first generation Cruze . The Cavalier is sold alongside the second generation Cruze , but the price is below this.

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  Rear view

Technical specifications

	1.0	1.5
Construction period	since 03/2018	since 09/2016
Engine characteristics
Motor type	Gasoline engine
Engine type	R3	R4
Displacement	999 cm³	1485 cc
Max. Power at min −1	88 kW (120 PS) / 5200	83 kW (113 PS) / 6000
Max. Torque in min -1	165 Nm / 1700-4400	141 Nm / 4000
Power transmission
Drive, as standard	Front wheel drive
Gearbox, as standard	6- speed automatic transmission	5-speed manual transmission
Gearbox, optional	-	[6-speed automatic transmission]
Readings
Top speed	185 km / h	180 km / h
Acceleration, 0-100 km / h	k. A.
Fuel consumption over 100 km, combined	5.0 l super	5.4 l super [5.8 l super]
Empty weight	1200 kg	1185 kg [1225 kg]

• Values ​​in square brackets apply to models with automatic transmission

literature

• James M. Flammang, Ron Kowalke: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1976-1999. 3rd edition. Krause Publications, Iola WI 1999, ISBN 0-87341-755-0 .

Individual evidence

1. ↑ 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier. In: iihs.org. Retrieved October 28, 2018 . 
2. ↑ 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER 2 DR - NHTSA. In: nhtsa.gov. Retrieved October 28, 2018 . 
3. ↑ Tim Keenan ,; David C. Smith ,; Jon Lowell: The story behind GM's costly J-car launch. In: wardsauto.com. April 1, 1995, accessed October 28, 2018 . 
4. ↑ Used Vehicle Review: Chevrolet Cavalier, 1995-1998 - Autos.ca. In: autos.ca. March 29, 1998, accessed October 28, 2018 . 
5. ↑ Larry Printz: 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier - The Morning Call and Mcall.com Review - Cars.com. In: cars.com. May 9, 2000, accessed October 28, 2018 . 
6. ↑ Xiaobo Sun, Alwin Lutz, Ezio Vermiglio, Mark Arold, Tom Wiedmann: The Development of the GM 2.2LCNG BI-Fuel Passenger Cars. In: sae.org. October 19, 1998, accessed October 28, 2018 . 
7. ^ Bob Golfing: 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier - AZCentral.com Review - Cars.com. In: cars.com. April 5, 2003, accessed October 28, 2018 . 
8. ↑ Don Shilling: vindy.com - GM LORDSTOWN After 22 years, Cavalier production has ceased. In: vindy.com. October 6, 2004, accessed October 28, 2018 . 
9. ↑ Sean Szymkowski: New Chevrolet Cavalier Revealed For China - GM Authority. In: gmauthority.com. August 18, 2016, accessed October 28, 2018 . 
10. ^ Tycho De Feijter: Chevrolet Cavalier Launches On The Chinese Car Market. In: forbes.com. September 5, 2016, accessed October 28, 2018 . 
11. ↑ Chevrolet Cavalier Will Hit The Chinese Car Market In September. July 25, 2016, accessed September 29, 2016 . 

Web links

Commons : Chevrolet Cavalier  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Official website of the current model (Chinese)