Chevrolet Lumina

This article is about the U.S. market sedan and coupé sold between 1989-2001. For the minivan, see Chevrolet Lumina APV. For other uses, see Chevrolet Lumina (disambiguation).
Chevrolet Lumina
Overview
Manufacturer General Motors
Production 1989–2001
1998-1999 (Mexico)
Body and chassis
Class Mid-size
Layout Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform W-body
Related Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
Pontiac Grand Prix
Chronology
Predecessor Chevrolet Celebrity (sedan)
Chevrolet Monte Carlo (coupe)
Chevrolet Caprice (Mexico)
Successor Chevrolet Impala (sedan)
Chevrolet Monte Carlo (coupe)
Chevrolet Caprice (Mexico)

The Chevrolet Lumina is a name used on many vehicles produced under the Chevrolet marque. First introduced for the 1990 model year; Chevrolet used the name on a sedan, a coupé and a minivan. The sedan replaced the Chevrolet Celebrity, the coupé replaced the Monte Carlo, and the minivan was both a replacement for the Celebrity station wagon and a completely new vehicle. The Lumina coupé was replaced by the 1995 Monte Carlo, the Lumina minivan was replaced by the 1997 Chevrolet Venture, and the Lumina sedan was replaced by the 2000 model year Impala in 1999 in the U.S. and Canada; in Mexico, it was replaced with the Chevrolet Caprice.

First generation (1990–1994)

First Generation

1991-1994 Chevrolet Lumina Sedan
Overview
Also called Chevrolet Z34
Production 1989–1994
Model years 1990–1994
Assembly Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door coupe
4-door sedan
Layout FF layout
Platform W-body
Related Buick Regal
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
Pontiac Grand Prix
Powertrain
Engine 2.2 L 122 I4
2.5 L Iron Duke I4
3.1 L LH0 V6
3.4 L LQ1 V6
Transmission 5-speed manual
3-speed 3T40 automatic
4-speed 4T60 automatic
4-speed 4T60-E automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 107.5 in (2,730 mm)
Length 1990 Coupe: 198.4 in (5,039 mm)
1990 Sedan: 197.6 in (5,019 mm)
1991–94 Coupe & 1993–94 Sedan: 198.3 in (5,037 mm)
1991–92 Sedan & Z34 Sedan: 199.3 in (5,062 mm)
Width Coupe & Z34 Sedan: 71.7 in (1,821 mm)
Sedan: 71.0 in (1,803 mm)
Height Coupe & Z34 Sedan: 53.3 in (1,354 mm)
Sedan: 53.6 in (1,361 mm)
Curb weight 3496 lb (1586 kg)
1990 Chevrolet Lumina sedan

The North American Chevrolet Lumina was based on the mid-size GM W platform, which was shared with the Pontiac Grand Prix, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (later Intrigue), Buick Regal and Buick Century (after 1996). Although the Lumina became a popular seller, GM was widely criticized in the motoring press for being late to the game in introducing a direct aero-designed competitor to the Ford Taurus. The Chevrolet Lumina's first generation ended production in August of 1994, making this the shortest-lived generation of the first-generation GM W-body cars.

In 1990, the Lumina became the nameplate under which Chevrolets were raced in NASCAR, more than a year before the model was available to the public.

Specifications

Engines

Lumina Z34

1991–1994 Chevrolet Lumina Z34

Starting in 1990, Chevrolet offered a high performance version of the Lumina, the Lumina Z34. In order to enhance its performance it came standard with the FE3 sport suspension package, the 210 hp LQ1 V6 engine shared with the Lumina Euro 3.4 (sedan), the five speed Getrag 284 manual transmission, dual exhaust and four-wheel anti-lock brakes. The Z34 also featured cosmetic changes to go along with the performance enhancements such as unique front and rear fascias, side skirts, a rear spoiler, a louvered hood, a unique steering wheel and sport bucket seats. Performance figures were quite impressive for a front wheel drive V6 engine powered car, with a 0-60 mph (0–97 km/h) time of 7.5 seconds, a 1/4 mile (~400 m) time of 15.5 seconds, a (limited) top speed of 130 mph (209.21 km/h), a 60-0 mph (97–0 km/h) distance of in 153 ft (47 m), and a lateral acceleration of 0.79 g's (7.7 m/s²). A Bose stereo system and automatic transmission, which lowered the horsepower rating to 200 and 0-60 time by a .5 seconds, were optional. The only paint colors available for the Z34 were white, red, black, gray, silver, and light blue. In 1995, the Lumina Z34 was replaced with the Chevrolet Monte Carlo Z34.

Production

Year Total Sedans Total Coupes Sedan LQ1 Coupe LQ1
1990 278,311 45,783 N/A N/A
1991 157,782 34,495 N/A 8,936
1992 188,557 33,490 5,623 13,016
1993 200,842 29,916 3,489 12,323
1994 75,753 10,866 1,234 4,478
Total production[1] 901,245 154,550

Safety

1991-1994 Chevrolet Lumina Euro 3.4 sedan
1990-1994 Lumina NHTSA scores[2][3][4][5][6]
1989 Frontal Driver Frontal Passenger Side Driver Side Passenger 4x2 Rollover 4x4 Rollover
1990 Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated
1991 Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated
1992 Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated
1993 not Rated Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated
1994 Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated

Second generation (1995–2001)

Second Generation:
Overview
Production 1995–2001
Assembly

Ramos Arizpe, Mexico

=Oshawa, Canada
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door sedan
Layout FF layout
Platform W-body 1.5 Gen
Related Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
Pontiac Grand Prix
Powertrain
Engine 3.1 L L82 V6
3.1 L LG8 V6
3.4 L LQ1 V6
3.8 L L36 V6
Transmission 4-speed 4T60-E automatic
4-speed 4T65-E automatic
Dimensions
Length 200.9 in (5,103 mm)
Width 72.5 in (1,842 mm)
Height 1995–98: 55.2 in (1,402 mm)
1999–2001: 54.8 in (1,392 mm)
Chronology
Successor Chevrolet Caprice (in Mexico)
Chevrolet Impala (in Spain)

The Lumina received new sheetmetal increasing its size and an updated interior for 1995. Unlike its other W platform counterparts, the Lumina retained the first-generation chassis. Replacing the Lumina two-door was a resurrected Monte Carlo. The LH0 V6 was dropped in favor of the L82 V6, known as the 3100 SFI; the latter engine produced 20 more horsepower from the same displacement thanks to a revised intake manifold and cylinder heads.

Initial trim levels consisted of base and LS; the latter replacing the "Euro" trim. Options included an electric sunroof, leather bucket seats, power windows, power driver seat, and an AM/FM stereo with CD player. This Lumina was also sold with police (code 9C3) and taxi packages, due to the Chevrolet Caprice being discontinued after the 1996 model year. (1998 in Mexico)

The LTZ trim was introduced in 1997 to soften the blow from the discontinued Impala SS and Caprice. Its standard features included 16" brushed aluminum wheels, blackwall radial sport tires, sport tuned suspension, a 3.1 L V6 rated at 160 hp (120 kW) and 185 lb·ft (251 N·m) or an optional 3.4 L V6 rated at 215 hp (160 kW) and 220 lb·ft (300 N·m) of torque, a rear spoiler, restyled front and rear body clips (resembling the Monte Carlo Z34), a tachometer, and a floor-mounted shifter.

In 1998 the 3.4 L V6 was replaced by the 3800 Series II which made 200 hp (150 kW) and 225 lb·ft (305 N·m) torque. Despite its increased torque, the 3.8 liter LTZ demonstrated slightly worse performance due to its lowered horsepower, with 0-60 mph (0–100 km/h) times of 7.5 seconds (as opposed to 7.2 for the LQ1) and 1/4 mile (~400 m) times of 15.7 seconds (as opposed to 15.5 for the LQ1). The car has a computer-limited top speed of 107 mph (172 km/h) and the rev limiter kicks in at 5800 rpm for the 3.8L (Rev limiter is at 7000 rpm for the 3.4L LQ1).

Also in 1998, the Lumina received second generation airbags. The front-wheel drive Chevrolet Impala was introduced as a replacement for the Lumina in 2000, although GM did produce 2001 model year Luminas to be exclusively sold for rental fleets. Retail sales of the Lumina ended in Canada in 1999, with the United States following suit a year later. Fleet production ended on April 26, 2001. In some Asian countries, the Lumina continued as a rebadged Buick Century/Regal.

Chevrolet Lumina LTZ

Specification levels

Throughout its lifecycle, the second generation Lumina was available in three trim levels:

Base (1995–2001): The most popular Lumina, the base model came well equipped for its price point. It had standard front row bench seat which upped seating to six, power locks, tilt steering wheel, dual airbags, and air conditioning. Base models were equipped with fifteen-inch steel wheels with wheel covers.

LS (1995–1999): Second highest trim level, LS models offered aluminum wheels, optional dual zone temperature controls, power windows (optional on Base), tachometer, higher-end stereo with GM's Delcolock, anti-lock brakes, remote keyless entry system, upgraded seats, and an optional 3.4 L DOHC engine (1995-1997) or 3.8 L 3800 V6 (1998-1999).

LTZ (1997–1999): The top of the line Lumina which included alloy wheels, a choice of the 3.1 L V6 engine, 3.4L DOHC engine or 3.8 L V6 engine (1998-1999 only), power driver seat, dual zone climate control and leather with the option for deluxe cloth. A center console was standard on LTZ (optional on LS). To differentiate itself aesthetically from the lesser models, it received the front end, trunk lid and taillights from the Fifth Generation Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

Engines

Production

Year Total Units LQ1 L36
1995 264,688 15,998 N/A
1996 224,553 2,054 N/A
1997 234,626 7 N/A
1998 208,627 N/A 16,679
1999 139,098 N/A 13,869
2000 37,493 N/A N/A
2001 42,803 N/A N/A
Total production 1,151,888

Safety

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

1995-2001 Lumina IIHS scores[7]
Moderate overlap frontal offsetGood
Small overlap frontal offsetNot Tested
Side impactNot Tested
Roof strengthNot Tested

NHTSA

1995-2001 Lumina NHTSA scores[8][9][10][11][12][13][14]
Year Frontal Driver Frontal Passenger Side Driver Side Passenger 4x2 Rollover 4x4 Rollover
1995 Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated
1996 Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated
1997 Not Rated Not Rated
1998 Not Rated Not Rated
1999 Not Rated Not Rated
2000 Not Rated Not Rated
2001 Not Rated

References

  1. The Encyclopedia of American Cars, 2006 Edition
  2. "1990 Chevrolet Lumina 4-DR. | Safercar - NHTSA". Safercar.gov. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  3. "1991 Chevrolet Lumina 4-DR. | Safercar - NHTSA". Safercar.gov. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  4. "1992 Chevrolet Lumina 4-DR. | Safercar - NHTSA". Safercar.gov. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  5. "1993 Chevrolet Lumina 4-DR. | Safercar - NHTSA". Safercar.gov. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  6. "1994 Chevrolet Lumina 4-DR. | Safercar - NHTSA". Safercar.gov. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  7. "IIHS-HLDI: Chevrolet Lumina". Iihs.org. Retrieved 2013-04-04.
  8. "1995 Chevrolet Lumina 4-DR. | Safercar - NHTSA". Safercar.gov. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  9. "1996 Chevrolet Lumina 4-DR. | Safercar - NHTSA". Safercar.gov. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  10. "1997 Chevrolet Lumina 4-DR. | Safercar - NHTSA". Safercar.gov. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  11. "1998 Chevrolet Lumina 4-DR. | Safercar - NHTSA". Safercar.gov. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  12. "1999 Chevrolet Lumina 4-DR. | Safercar - NHTSA". Safercar.gov. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  13. "2000 Chevrolet Lumina 4-DR. | Safercar - NHTSA". Safercar.gov. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
  14. "2001 Chevrolet Lumina 4-DR. | Safercar - NHTSA". Safercar.gov. Retrieved 2013-04-05.

External links

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