Vauxhall Cavalier
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The '''Vauxhall Cavalier''' is a [[large family car]] that was sold primarily in the United Kingdom by [[Vauxhall Motors|Vauxhall]] from 1975 to 1995. It was based on a succession of [[Opel]] designs throughout its production life, during which it was built in three incarnations. The first generation of Cavalier, launched in 1975 and produced until 1981, was Vauxhall's version of the [[General Motors]] 'U-Car' — essentially an [[Opel Ascona#Ascona B (1975–1981)|Opel Ascona B]]/ |
The '''Vauxhall Cavalier''' is a [[large family car]] that was sold primarily in the United Kingdom by [[Vauxhall Motors|Vauxhall]] from 1975 to 1995. It was based on a succession of [[Opel]] designs throughout its production life, during which it was built in three incarnations. The first generation of Cavalier, launched in 1975 and produced until 1981, was Vauxhall's version of the [[General Motors]] 'U-Car' — essentially an [[Opel Ascona#Ascona B (1975–1981)|Opel Ascona B]]/[[Opel Manta]] with a few minor visual differences. |
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The second generation of Cavalier, launched in 1981 and produced until 1988, was launched simultaneously with the identical new generation of Opel Ascona, which was sold across the world in various guises on the GM "[[GM J platform|J-Body platform]]". The third and final generation of Cavalier, launched in 1988 and produced until 1995, was a rebadged [[Opel Vectra|Opel Vectra A]] with the same production span. Cavaliers for the UK market were predominantly built at Vauxhall's Luton plant, but were also built alongside their Ascona/Vectra sister models at Opel plants in Continental Europe. |
The second generation of Cavalier, launched in 1981 and produced until 1988, was launched simultaneously with the identical new generation of Opel Ascona, which was sold across the world in various guises on the GM "[[GM J platform|J-Body platform]]". The third and final generation of Cavalier, launched in 1988 and produced until 1995, was a rebadged [[Opel Vectra|Opel Vectra A]] with the same production span. Cavaliers for the UK market were predominantly built at Vauxhall's Luton plant, but were also built alongside their Ascona/Vectra sister models at Opel plants in Continental Europe. |
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Having first outsold the Sierra in Britain in 1990, it was Britain's second best selling car behind the [[Ford Escort (Europe)|Ford Escort]] in 1992. It did not lose top spot in its sector until it was overtaken by the Sierra's successor, the [[Ford Mondeo|Mondeo]], in 1994. |
Having first outsold the Sierra in Britain in 1990, it was Britain's second best selling car behind the [[Ford Escort (Europe)|Ford Escort]] in 1992. It did not lose top spot in its sector until it was overtaken by the Sierra's successor, the [[Ford Mondeo|Mondeo]], in 1994. |
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The Calibra, launched in 1989, was well received, notably for its sporty although cramped interior (largely based on the interior of the Cavalier) and its streamlined styling which in turn enabled the Calibra to have the lowest drag coefficient of the period at 0.26 for the 8v model (0.29 for the rest) — a record it held for the next 10 years.[http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/calibraproof-that-old-school-still-rocks-ar14819.html]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} TopSpeed.com "It was, however, the most aerodynamically efficient Opel ever with a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.26. It remained the most aerodynamic mass production car for the next 10 years, until the Honda Insight was launched in 1999 with a Cd of 0.25"[ |
The Calibra, launched in 1989, was well received, notably for its sporty although cramped interior (largely based on the interior of the Cavalier) and its streamlined styling which in turn enabled the Calibra to have the lowest drag coefficient of the period at 0.26 for the 8v model (0.29 for the rest) — a record it held for the next 10 years.[http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/calibraproof-that-old-school-still-rocks-ar14819.html]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} TopSpeed.com "It was, however, the most aerodynamically efficient Opel ever with a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.26. It remained the most aerodynamic mass production car for the next 10 years, until the Honda Insight was launched in 1999 with a Cd of 0.25"[https://www.autoevolution.com/cars/opel-calibra-1989.html#aeng_opel-calibra-1989-20-16v-136-hp] Autoevolution "The Calibra holds the title of having been the most aerodynamic car in the world at its 1990 launch, with a drag coefficient of just 0.26."[http://www.rac.co.uk/buying-a-car/car-reviews/vauxhall/calibra/207607] RAC.com "Despite a slippery record breaking drag coefficient of 0.26cd, it's a true four-seater, unlike its two-plus-kids counterparts." |
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A few variants were made: the 2.0 litre eight valve, 2.0 L sixteen valve (the same engine found in the proven Cavalier GSi 2000), the [[Turbocharger|turbo]] version (again, the same engine used in the very successful Cavalier Turbo), the 2.5 L [[V6 engine|V6]] (with a top speed of around 145 mph) and finally the 2.0 L 16-valve "Ecotec". |
A few variants were made: the 2.0 litre eight valve, 2.0 L sixteen valve (the same engine found in the proven Cavalier GSi 2000), the [[Turbocharger|turbo]] version (again, the same engine used in the very successful Cavalier Turbo), the 2.5 L [[V6 engine|V6]] (with a top speed of around 145 mph) and finally the 2.0 L 16-valve "Ecotec". |
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