Chevrolet Lacetti

Daewoo Lacetti

Manufacturer	GM Daewoo
Also called	Buick Excelle Buick Excelle HRV Chevrolet Lacetti Chevrolet Nubira Chevrolet Optra Chevrolet SRV Holden Viva Suzuki Forenza Suzuki Reno
Production	2003–2008
Assembly	Bupyong, South Korea
Predecessor	Daewoo Nubira Chevrolet Cavalier (in Mexico)
Class	Compact
Layout	FF layout
Engine(s)	1.4 L 93 bhp (69 kW) Petrol I4 1.6 L 106 bhp (79 kW) Petrol I4 1.8 L 120 bhp (89 kW) Petrol I4 2.0 L 126 hp (94 kW) I4 2.0 L 127 hp (95 kW) I4
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	102.4 in (2601 mm)
Length	177.2 in (4501 mm) (sedan) 169.1 in (4295 mm) (hatchback) 179.7 in (4564 mm) (Forenza station wagon) 180.3 in (4580 mm) (Optra station wagon) weight = 1220 - 1290
Width	67.9 in (1725 mm)
Height	56.9 in (1445 mm) (sedan & hatchback) 59.1 in (1501 mm) (station wagon)
Fuel capacity	14.5 US gallons (54.9 L/12.1 imp gal)
Designer	Giorgetto Giugiaro Pininfarina

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.

Markets

Australia/New Zealand

In Australia and New Zealand, the Daewoo Lacetti was briefly sold between 2003 and 2004 as a four-door sedan. During the 'Asian Economic Crisis', Daewoo became technically insolvent and the company withdrew from the Australian market.

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.

Despite the Viva's lower price compared to the Astra (AUD$17,990 compared to AUD$21,990), the Astra outsells the Viva by a factor of about two-to-one .

Canada

The Lacetti was available in Canada as the Chevrolet Optra in two models, a four door hatchback (the Optra5), and an Optra Wagon, all in LS or LT 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 rpmand 126 ft·lbf (171 N·m) of torque at 4000 rpm, driving the front wheels through either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic. The car was positioned as a versatile and fun to drive but affordable budget compact family car. Brakes are disc, front and rear. The Optra slotted between the Cobalt and the Aveo, and it replaced the Daewoo Nubira.

Independent suspension, 15 inch wheels, and CD player were standard on the LS sedan, with optional ABS and air conditioning; the LT adds standard air conditioning and cruise control, Standard Fog Lamps on both LS & LT, 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 was more contemporary in styling and equipment, with projector type headlights and fog lamps, 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 LS and LT 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 was 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 LS and LT models.

On November 1, 2007, General Motors Canada announced that it was discontinuing the importation of Optra for 2008.

China

In China, the cars are marketed as the Buick Excelle sedan and HRV (hatchback). The sedan, which is also assembled in China, features an updated exterior.

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 and Germany, for example, only the hatchback is sold under the Lacetti name.

Euro-spec Chevrolet Nubira Kombi

The European models are available with the following three gasoline-powered 4-cylinder engines:

1.4 L E-TEC II — 93 hp (69 kW) at 6300 rpm
1.6 L E-TEC II — 108 hp (80 kW) at 5800 rpm
- 1.6L DOHC engine sedan (4-Door) 108 bhp (81 kW) 0-100 km/h: 10.9 sec., top speed: 186 km/h (116 mph) MT
- 1.6L DOHC engine hatch (5-Door) 108 bhp (81 kW) 0-100 km/h: 10.6 sec., top speed: 184 km/h (114 mph) MT
1.8 L E-TEC II — 120 hp (90 kW) at 5800 rpm
2.0 L E-TEC II — 132 hp (101 kW) at 5800 rpm
- 2.0L DOHC engine sedan(4-Door) 132 bhp (98 kW) 0-100 km/h: 9 sec., top speed: 202 km/h (126 mph) MT

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. The 1.8L four cylinder is sourced from the Australian car maker, Holden and is identical to the engine used in the 2004 Astra. It is commonly known as the "Family 2 unit". All of them are gasoline-powered 4-cylinder engines.

India

Chevrolet Optra 2.0 Magnum sedan (India)

Chevrolet Optra SRV (India)

The Lacetti is manufactured in India and sold as the Optra and the hatchback version is sold as the Chevrolet Optra SRV (formerly known/sold as Chevrolet SRV), which they plan to get out with a 2L diesel engine in the near future.

The Optra is sold with two engine options, 1.6 L and 1.8 L. 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, the LT and the LT AT, the latter coming with automatic transmission.

In 2007 GM India have come out with a diesel engined Optra called the Optra Magnum. The Magnum has a slightly different nose, and interiors as compared to the petrol version. Now both the petrol and diesel versions sport the new nose (like that of the Optra SRV but with a slightly different front grill) and tail lights, and are sold as Optra Magnum petrol/diesel.

Japan

In Japan, Suzuki briefly distributed the Lacetti as the Chevrolet Optra station wagon. It was available in two trim levels, the LS and the LT. Both came with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission with a console shift. The Optra Wagon was powered by a 1.6 L or 1.8 L engine.

Mexico

In Mexico, the Lacetti came to the market in 2006 as Optra to replace the Chevrolet Cavalier, and it is sold only as a sedan.

Colombia

In Colombia, the sedan and hatchback versions of the Lacetti came in 2006 to be assembled as Chevrolet Optra.

Pacific Islands

In Singapore, Chevrolet replaced the Daewoo nameplate after GM bought Daewoo. It still offers the same line-up from Daewoo, namely the Optra sedan, Optra station wagon and Optra5 hatchback in Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. The vehicles use the 1.6 L or 1.8 L engine with an automatic transmission available for selected models.

United States

The Lacetti came as Suzuki Forenza and Reno and they 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. In the territories of Guam and Northern Mariana Islands, it is sold as a Chevrolet Optra, but it is only available as a sedan.

The US model line features the 2.0L 4-cylinder E-TEC II made by Holden, developing a maximum power of 126 hp at 5600 rpm.

World Touring Car Championship

Manufacturer-backed Lacettis are raced in the FIA World touring Car Championship. The race cars are powered by the 1998cc engine tuned to deliver approximately 270bhp and are designed, built and entered by Ray Mallock motorsport on behalf of Chevrolet Europe. Since Chevrolet's entry to the category in 2005, Lacettis have won several races but so far failed to consistently challenge the leading BMW and Seat teams. The 2008 drivers are Italian ex-F1 driver Nicola Larini, Briton Rob Huff and French former British Touring Car Champion Alain Menu. Ex-works privateer-run Lacettis also race in the British Touring Car Championship.