Daewoo Lacetti

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Daewoo Lacetti
Chevrolet Nubira Kombi
Manufacturer GM Daewoo
Also called Buick Excelle
Chevrolet Lacetti
Chevrolet Nubira
Chevrolet Optra
Chevrolet SRV
Holden Viva
Suzuki Forenza
Suzuki Reno
Production 2003–present
Predecessor Daewoo Nubira
Class Compact
Engine 2.0L 126hp I4
2.0L 127hp I4
Transmission 4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
Wheelbase 102.4 in
Length 177.2 in (sedan)
169.1 in (hatchback)
179.7 in (station wagon)
Width 67.9 in
Height 56.9 in (sedan & hatchback)
59.1 in (station wagon)
Fuel capacity 14.5 US gal
Similar Hyundai Elantra
Mazda3
Nissan Sentra
Designer Giorgetto Giugiaro
Pininfarina
US-spec Suzuki Forenza sedan
US-spec Suzuki Forenza sedan
Facelifted Suzuki Forenza Wagon (USDM)
Facelifted Suzuki Forenza Wagon (USDM)
Canadian-spec Chevrolet Optra5
Canadian-spec Chevrolet Optra5

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.

Contents

[edit] Names

Visually identical models are currently also sold as Chevrolet Nubira in some European markets, Chevrolet Optra and Chevrolet Optra5 (hatchback) in Canada, Mexico, Philippines, Central America, South America, India, Pakistan, Arabia, Southeast Asia, and South Africa, Suzuki Forenza and Suzuki Reno (hatchback) in the USA, Buick Excelle HRV (hatchback) in China, and Holden Viva in Australia and New Zealand. The hatchback version has recently been launched in India as Chevrolet SRV. As of 2007, the first generation Lacetti remains in production and is still sold as the Chevrolet Optra in Canada.

The Buick Excelle sedan assembled and marketed in China features an updated exterior.

[edit] 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, 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 — 94 hp (69 kW) at 6300 rpm
  • 1.6 L E-TEC II — 109 hp (80 kW) at 5800 rpm
  • 1.8 L E-TEC II — 122 hp (90 kW) at 5800 rpm

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. All of them are gasoline-powered 4-cylinder engines.

[edit] World Touring Car Championship

Since 2005, the European Lacetti sedan is used as a base for race cars competing in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), and in spring of the same year Chevrolet released the first pictures of a street legal concept car based on the race cars from this championship and called Lacetti WTCC R+. The concept car is powered by an 1.8 L E-TEC II engine available in production models, but with a power increased from 122 PS (90 kW) on 172 PS (127 kW) through supercharging. Its acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) is estimated at 8 seconds and it is able to reach the top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph).

[edit] Top Gear

The Chevrolet Lacetti sedan has been used for the Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car segment of the BBC's Top Gear TV show since the beginning of their spring 2006 season (Series 8). It was also noted on the 14 May 2006 airing by Jeremy Clarkson that the Lacetti was more nimble around the Top Gear track than the Suzuki Liana, and about a second quicker in a lap around the Top Gear Track.

[edit] USA

Since early 2004, various rebadged versions of the Lacetti are also available in the North American market. The cars feature only one engine, a gasoline-powered 2.0 L 4-cylinder E-TEC II made by Holden, developing a maximum power of a 126 hp or 94 kW (US version) or 119 hp or 89 kW (Canadian version) at 5600 rpm.

The Suzuki Forenza and Suzuki Reno went on sale in the United States in 2004, replacing the Daewoo Nubira station wagon and sedan when Daewoo's North American operations were wound up in 2002. The Forenza/Reno slots between the Aerio (later SX4) and the now-discontinued Verona.

[edit] Canada

The Optra is available in Canada in two models, a four door hatchback (the Optra5), and an Optra Wagon, all in base or LS 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 rpm and 126 ft·lbf (171 N·m) of torque at 4000 rpm, driving the front wheels through either a 5-speed manual transmission or a four speed automatic. The car is positioned as a versatile and fun to drive but affordable budget compact family car. Brakes are disc, front and rear. The Optra currently slots between the Cobalt and the Aveo, and it replaced the Daewoo Nubira.

Independent suspension, 15 inch wheels, and CD player are standard on the base sedan, with optional ABS and air conditioning; the LS adds standard air conditioning and cruise control, 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 is more contemporary in styling and equipment, with projector type headlights, 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 base and LS 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 is 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 base and LS models.

[edit] Australia/New Zealand

In Australia and New Zealand, the Daewoo Lacetti was sold between 2003 and 2004 as a four-door sedan, before being discontinued. It was regarded as a flop.

From 2005, the Lacetti (sedan and wagon) and Lacetti 5 were sold together as the Holden Viva. In fact, other than the Chevrolet Viva for the Russian market (which is little more than a Russified Opel Astra B), this model marked the first time that the "Viva" name was used on a GM vehicle since the Vauxhall Viva was discontinued. 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.

[edit] India

Chevrolet Optra 1.6 Elite sold in India
Chevrolet Optra 1.6 Elite sold in India

The Lacetti is manufactured in India and sold as the Optra and the hatchback version is sold as the Chevrolet SRV.

The Optra is sold with two engine options 1.6 lites and 1.8 litres. 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 only, the LT and the LT AT, the later coming with automatic transmission.

[edit] Formula Rolon Chevrolet

In India the 1.6 Litre engine used in Chevrolet Optra powers the open wheel car called Formula Rolon.The series is a single make series raced in India similar to Formula Asia series.

[edit] Japan

In Japan, Suzuki distributes the Chevrolet Optra Station wagon. It is available in two trim levels, the LS and the LT. Both come with either a 5-speed Manual or 4-speed Automatic transmission with a console shift. Optra Wagon is powered by a 1.6 liter or 1.8 liter engines.

[edit] South East Asia

In Singapore, Daewoo is replace by Chevrolet brand after GM bought over Daewoo and it still offer the same line-up from Daewoo. Chevrolet also offer the selection of Optra sedan, Optra estate and Optra5 hatchback in Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia. The vehicle is using the engine of 1.6 or 1.8(automatic only) for selected model.

[edit] See also

[edit] Future

GM DAT announced that they will have and all new compact model for 2009. Rumors said that possibly this car would replace Lacetti, and that will be build on GM Delta platform Platform.

[edit] External links


GM Daewoo vehicle timeline, 1990s-present  v  d  e 
Type 1990s 2000s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
City car Tico Matiz
Subcompact car Lanos Kalos
Compact car Nexia Nubira Lacetti
Mid-size car Espero Leganza Magnus Tosca
Full-size car Statesman
Compact MPV Tacuma
Crossover SUV Winstorm
GM Daewoo (edit)
Arcadia | Brougham | Chairman | Damas/Labo | Espero/Aranos | Gentra | Istana | Kalos | Korando | Lacetti | Lanos | Leganza | Magnus/Evanda | Matiz | Musso | Nexia/Cielo/Racer/LeMans/Maepsy | Nubira | Rezzo/Tacuma | Statesman | Super Salon | Tico | Tosca | Winstorm