Chevrolet LUV
| Chevrolet | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| LUV | |
| Sales designation: | LUV |
| Production period: | 1972-2005 |
| Class : | Utilities |
| Body versions : | Pick up |
| Engines: |
Otto engine : 1.6–1.8 l (55 kW) Diesel engine : 43 kW |
| Length: | |
| Width: | |
| Height: | |
| Wheelbase : | 2601-2995 mm |
| Empty weight : | |
| successor |
Chevrolet S10 Holden Rodeo |
The Chevrolet LUV (LUV = L ight U tility V ehicle) was a pickup that on the Isuzu Faster based. Sales began in the US in March 1972 in response to the Toyota Hilux , the Datsun pickup and the Mazda- made Ford Courier . The model was also offered in Australia , but from 1977 it was marketed as the Isuzu KB and replaced in 1980 by the Holden Rodeo . In Egypt , the vehicle was also offered as a Chevrolet T-series . From 1983 the Chevrolet S10 replaced the LUV.
production
The LUV has a standard truck chassis with a ladder frame, leaf springs and a driven rigid axle at the rear. At the front, the wheels were individually suspended from A-arms. Like its competitors, the LUV had a wheelbase of 2601 mm and a platform length of 1829 mm. The only available power source was a 1.8 liter four-cylinder in-line engine with an overhead camshaft (SOHC), which developed an output of 75 bhp (55 kW).
In 1974 the exterior of the LUV was slightly redesigned, but the first facelift didn't come until 1976. That year there was a three-speed automatic transmission and front disc brakes. From 1977 there were engines with up to 80 bhp (59 kW) and the sales figures increased. In 1978 there was a further revision of the external appearance and a flatbed with a length of 2286 mm, with the wheelbase increasing to 2995 mm. That year 71,145 LUV were sold.
Motor Trend magazine was also interested in the all-wheel drive version available from 1979 and made the LUV the second truck of the year . The sales figures reached their highest level at 100,192 pieces.
In 1981 the pickup was revised again, with the wheelbase increasing by 1.9 ”to 2626 mm. The petrol engine previously offered was still available, but there was also an Isuzu diesel engine with 58 bhp (43 kW) output at 4300 min −1 and a torque of 125 Nm at 2200 min −1 . This new engine gave the rear-wheel drive LUV a fuel consumption of 8.7 l / 100 km in the city and 6.5 l / 100 km on the country road, making it one of the most fuel-efficient pickups ever built. This machine is also known for its reliability; many of the pickups traveled half a mile before a major overhaul was necessary. Chevrolet stopped selling the LUV in 1983 in favor of the new S10 model .
Production in South America as Chevrolet LUV
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The Isuzu pickup Isuzu Faster was also assembled in Chile from 1980 to October 2005 from Japanese CKD sets at the Chevrolet plant in Arica . At first the versions K-26 and K-28 were produced. In 1988 the Isuzu TF came assembled from 40% locally manufactured parts and was successfully exported to Bolivia , Peru , Argentina , Mexico , Paraguay , Uruguay , Colombia and Venezuela from 1993 onwards . A total of more than 220,000 pieces were produced.
From the end of 1980 the cars were built by Colmotores in Bogotá , Colombia . This meant that the pickup was introduced to the Colombian market with a 1.6L four-cylinder in-line engine with 80 bhp (59 kW) and one tonne payload.
In 1999, Thai Rung Union Car in Thailand delivered body parts for its Grand Adventure model to the Chevrolet plant in Arica in order to have the LUV Kombi and Grand LUV manufactured there, which, however, was unsuccessful.
Criticisms
The LUV had a reliable and well-functioning powertrain (if a little underpowered), but there were serious problems with the rust. In the last few years of production, almost half of the LUV imported by sea from South America to the USA were found rusted on arrival due to the effects of salt water. It is not uncommon for a heavily driven LUV to have a well-functioning drive train, but its frame has broken due to the effects of rust.
today
In 2005 the Isuzu D-Max replaced the LUV models in all markets. However, the name LUV is still used for a version of the Isuzu D-Max. The Iraqi government bought a number of LUVs along with various other vehicles for use by the local and state police.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Archived copy ( Memento of the original dated June 11, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original from June 19, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
