Daewoo Lanos

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Daewoo Lanos
Daewoo Lanos sedan
Manufacturer Daewoo
FSO
AvtoZAZ
TagAZ
Also called Chevrolet Lanos
Daewoo Sens
Doninvest Assol
FSO Lanos
ZAZ Lanos
ZAZ Sens
Production 1997–2002 (Daewoo)
2002-present (CKD and license-built models)
Predecessor Daewoo Nexia
Successor Daewoo Kalos
Class Subcompact
Body style(s) 3-door hatchback
5-door hatchback
4-door sedan
Platform GM T platform
Engine(s) GM Family 1 D-TEC 1.4 L SOHC to 1.6 L DOHC
Transmission(s) 5-speed manual
4-speed automatic
Wheelbase 2520 mm (99.2 in)
Length 4074 mm (160.4 in) (hatchback)
4235 mm (166.7 in) (sedan)
Width 1678 mm (66.1 in)
Height 1432 mm (56.4 in)

The Daewoo Lanos was a subcompact car manufactured by the Korean automaker Daewoo Motors from 1997 to 2002, and still made under a license agreement by the Fabryka Samochodów Osobowych (FSO) in Poland, marketed as FSO Lanos, and assembled in Ukraine in modified versions known as Daewoo Sens and Chevrolet Lanos. For a brief period, it was also assembled by TagAZ in Russia, marketed as Doninvest Assol. The Lanos was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and featured three body styles - 3-door and 5-door hatchbacks and a 4-door sedan. Lanos was designed to replace Daewoo Nexia in the Daewoo lineup and was itself replaced by Daewoo Kalos.

Contents

[edit] Development

In 1992, Daewoo dissolved its joint-venture with General Motors, and simultaneously a decision was made to independently develop replacements for the contemporary Daewoo Motors products, based on older General Motors models. The Lanos development programme was formally started in autumn 1993, with the goal to create a car to replace Daewoo Nexia as Daewoo's small family car. [1]

The project began with a comparative study of competing models from 20 different manufacturers, with Toyota Tercel, Opel Astra and Volkswagen Golf identified as most competitive. Four design studios were commissioned to deliver clay models preseting their ideas for the new model's styling. Giorgetto Giugiaro's design was chosen, and Italdesign was commissioned to develop the car's final outside and interior styling. The technical side of the project was conducted simultaneously by Daewoo's development centre Korea as well as suppliers and contractors, who were involved in developing particular components. This included AC Rochester (engine componentry), Delco Chassis Division (brakes, including ABS), GM Powertrain (automatic transmission), Italdesign (body, structural analysis, electrics, prototype construction), PARS Passive Rückhaltesysteme GmbH (airbags) and Porsche (vehicle concept - research, structural analysis, suspension and brake components,and experimental production supervision).[1]

By the end of 1995, 150 prototypes were built (providing for three body styles). The development programme involved extensive testing in a multitude of locations. Safety test included high-speed stability and durability testing in England and brake testing on the Großglockner in Austria. Low-temperature testing was conducted in Canada, Sweden (Arjeplog) and Russia (Moscow, Khabarovsk), while high-temperature tests took place in the USA (Death Valley), Oman (Nizwa), Australia (Alice Springs), Spain (Barcelona) and Italy (Nardò). The programme was completed in a remarkable time of only 30 months from the approval to the commencement of large-scale production of the Lanos sedan for the Korean market. European-market production began in 1997.).[1]

[edit] Technical details

The cars were equipped with GM Family 1 D-TEC engines ranging from 1.5 L (1549 cc) SOHC to 1.6 L (1598 cc) DOHC. In the UK there are also E-TEC models 1.4 (1349 cc) and 1.6 (1598 cc). The three models available are S, SE, SX, with the SX being the top of the range car. The suspension is built upon that of a Daewoo Nexia, as used in Vauxhall/Opel Astra Mk2 GTE.

[edit] Assembly outside South Korea

CKD kits were supplied to the Polish car factory FSO, the Ukrainian ZAZ and Russian TagAZ (where it was briefly sold as the Doninvest Assol).

From 2002, ZAZ equipped some of the kits with a domestic MeMZ-307 engine and sold this version under the Daewoo Sens name; this practice continues with the start of full-scale production of model T150. In 2004, ZAZ adopted the Lanos chassis for full-scale production and installed new welding and painting lines. The updated version is called the ZAZ Lanos (internal model T150). The engines are still supplied by GM Daewoo, although ZAZ is currently seeking a way to acquire modern engine technology. ZAZ is selling the Lanos as ZAZ Sens. The "Sens" name is used on the pre-facelift models.

Since January 2005, the Lanos produced in Poland started to be sold under the brand name of FSO.

In 2005, General Motors contracted with ZAZ to provide Ukrainian-assembled Lanos models for the Russian market, to be imported duty-free, thanks to an international agreement, and sold through the GM dealer network. Sales of the Chevrolet Lanos sedan commenced in Russia in November 2005. The Chevrolet brand was utilized to compete effectively with the Russian-built Renault Logan.

In 2006, a panel van variant of the ZAZ Lanos was introduced. [1]

[edit] Sales in Australia and North America

The Lanos was finally phased out after the 2002 model year, superseded worldwide by the Daewoo Kalos. Daewoo ceased operations in North America. After GM took over Daewoo to become GMDAT, Chevrolet began importing the Daewoo Kalos, rebadged as the Aveo to North America beginning with MY2004.

The 2001 and 2002 models have an unusual feature in that their back lights are asymmetric with the reverse light on the left and fog light on the right side.

[edit] Safety

In Australia, the 1997-2003 Daewoo Lanos was assessed in the Used Car Safety Ratings 2006 as providing "worse than average" protection for its occupants in the event of a crash.[2]

Europe: models received the following European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) 1998 ratings[2]:

  • Adult Occupant: 2.5/5 stars, score 17
  • Pedestrian: 2/4 stars, score 11 (pre-2002 rating)

In crash tests conducted by ANCAP in 1998 to EuroNCAP regulations RHD Lanos 3dr hatchback showed poor performance, scoring 0.31 out of 16 in offset front crash test and 6.98 of 16 in side impact test [3] [4].

Russian magazine Autoreview tested LHD Chevrolet Lanos T150 sedan built by ZAZ in 2006. It scored 10.5 of 16 points in offset front crash test [5].

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Internetowy Klub Lanosa (Polish). Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
  2. ^ EuroNCAP crash test of 5-door LHD Daewoo Lanos hatchback (conducted in 1998) (English). Retrieved on 2007-08-30.
  3. ^ ANCAP crash test of 3-door RHD Daewoo Lanos hatchback. The article is erroneously illustrated by EuroNCAP test pictures and is likely erroneously dated (English). Retrieved on 2007-08-30.
  4. ^ The same ANCAP crash test correctly illustrated and dated (English). Retrieved on 2007-08-30.
  5. ^ Autoreview magazine crash test of ukrainian-built Chevrolet Lanos T150, conducted under EuroNCAP regulations (Russian). Retrieved on 2007-08-30.

[edit] External links

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