Chevrolet LUV
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Chevrolet LUV (LUV stands for Light Utility Vehicle) was a rebadged Isuzu KB light truck. Sales began in the USA in March of 1972 as a response to the Toyota Hi-Lux and the Datsun pickup, as well as Ford's Mazda-built Courier. The LUV was replaced in the United States by the US-built Chevrolet S-10 after 1982.
The LUV used a traditional truck chassis with a ladder frame and a leaf spring/live axle rear suspension. In front, an independent suspension used a-arms. The 102.4 in (2.6 m) wheelbase was similar to its competitors, as was the six-foot (1.8 m) bed. The only engine was a 1.8 L SOHC straight-4 which produced 75 hp (56 kW).
The LUV's exterior was updated slightly for 1974, but the first real refresh came in 1976. A 3-speed automatic transmission and front disc brakes were added that year. Power was up to 80 hp (60 kW) for 1977, and sales continued to rise. An exterior refresh and the addition of a 7.5 ft (2.3 m) bed option, with 117.9 in (3 m) wheelbase, brought sales up in 1978 to 71,145.
The addition of four wheel drive in 1979 brought the LUV to the attention of Motor Trend magazine, which awarded it their second Truck of the Year award. Sales peaked at 100,192.
The truck was redesigned for 1981 with the wheelbase stretched by 1.9 in (48 mm) to 104.3 in (2.6 m). The gas engine remained the same but the LUV was now available with an Isuzu C223 diesel engine making 58 hp (43 kW) @ 4300 rpm and 93 ft·lbf @ 2200 rpm. This new engine gave the 2WD diesel LUV a fuel economy rating of 33 city / 44 hwy making it one of the most economical trucks ever built. This engine is also renowned for its reliability; many LUV trucks of this vintage have achieved over 500,000 miles before requiring a rebuild. Chevrolet stopped selling the LUV in the USA after 1982 in favor of their own S-10 compact pickup, but Isuzu picked up sales in the US as the Isuzu Pup that same year.
The LUV name is still used today on badge-engineered versions of the Isuzu D-Max. That version was also sold unofficially in the UK as an alternative to the domestic Isuzu Rodeo in pickup and commercial vehicles dealers.
This Isuzu pick-up was also made in Chile from Japanese CKD sets in Chevrolet's plant in Arica from 1980 to October, 2005 (replaced with LUV D-Max). At the start, the versions assembled were the K-26 and K-28. In 1988 came the TF model, which reached a 40% of domestic parts, and was exported successfully to Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, México, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia and Venezuela, from 1993. In total, more than 220.000 units were produced.
[edit] References
- Chevrolet LUV, S-10 and Colorado. Edmunds.com. Retrieved on March 25, 2005.
- 1982 Fuel Economy Guide Data Files. www.epa.gov. Retrieved on May 26, 2006.
