Gallery

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  Opel Kadett Caravan (1984–1989)
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  Rear
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  Opel Kadett sedan (1985–1989)
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  Opel Kadett 3-door (1989–1991
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  Opel Kadett 5-door (1989–1991)
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  1989 Opel Kadett GSi (Europe)
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  Opel Kadett sedan (1989–1991)
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  Opel Kadett GSi "Superboss". South African market. (1989–1995)

South Africa

In the early 1990s, South African Kadett GSi's were further upgraded based on their success in production car racing and initially 500 special units were built as road cars for homologation purposes. This was a minimum requirement for entry into the Stannic Group N races. They went against BMW's 325iS (A 2.7 L homologation special from BMW). They featured more aggressive 276-degree camshafts made by Schrick with 2 different settings for timing overlap (110° and 107°), revised intake and exhaust modifications (4-in-1 branch manifold and freeflow exhaust), Irmscher spring kit, modified engine management system by Promotec, a limited-slip differential developed by Andre Verwey and special Aluett 7Jx15-inch ET35 alloy wheels, they were nicknamed the "Superboss"^[9] and held the world record for the most torque per litre (114 Nm per litre) for a naturally aspirated car until being beaten by the Ferrari 458 (117 Nm per litre) in 2009. After the required 500 units were produced, many more were built to satisfy public demand.

Chevrolet Kadett

Chevrolet Kadett
Overview
Manufacturer	General Motors do Brasil
Also called	Chevrolet Ipanema
Production	1989–1998
Assembly	São José dos Campos, Brazil (1989–1996) São Caetano do Sul, Brazil (1996–1998)
Body and chassis
Body style	3/5-door hatchback 3/5-door station wagon
Powertrain
Engine	1.8 L I4 2.0 L I4

In Brazil, the Kadett E succeeded some versions of the Chevrolet Chevette and was introduced as the Chevrolet Kadett, with the station wagon version called the Chevrolet Ipanema. The latter had three doors until the 1993 model year when five doors became mandatory. The hatchback was only available with three doors, and the sedan was never offered. Brazilian production of the hatchback commenced in April 1989, with the Ipanema being added in September.^[10] The original Opel Kadett E had been introduced late in 1984, and after it had received a facelift for 1989 the old style was adopted for Brazil. While the Ipanema clearly succeeded the Chevette-based Marajó station wagon, production of the Chevette (by now in sedan form only, the hatchback having been discontinued after the 1987 model year) and Kadett overlapped by several years; the newer model was placed above the old one in Chevrolet's lineup. While Chevrolet entertained the possibility of a pick-up version of the Kadett E, it never materialized.

Originally the Kadett was available with a 1.8 or a 2.0 liter engine, shared with the Ascona-based Chevrolet Monza. The 1.8 has 95 PS (70 kW) and the 2.0 (gasohol-powered only) 110 PS (81 kW). The original versions were SL, SL/E, and GS, with the GS sporting 14 inch alloys and body-coloured bumpers. With a Cx of 0.30, the GS was the most aerodynamic car yet built in Brazil at this time.^[11] Along with some minor changes to the gearing and tires in June 1990, the 2.0 was introduced in a petrol version - which was downgraded to 99 PS (73 kW). It is likely that the claimed power was understated,^[12] but for tax reasons it was beneficial for Brazilian manufacturers to stay under the 100 horsepower mark at the time.^[13]

In September 1991, the German Kadett was replaced by the Opel Astra, but it continued on in Brazil. When catalytic converters became required, the engines were updated with fuel injection in 1992, and all gained a few horsepower. This was also when the 121 PS (89 kW) 2.0 GSi was added to the lineup, recognizable by a roof-mounted antenna, spoilers, alloys, and clear turn signals in front.^[14] For 1993, an automatic option was added and in April 1993, a more practical five-door Ipanema wagon was added to the lineup. The Ipanema also became available with the ethanol-fueled 110 PS (81 kW) 2-litre engine.^[15]

Between 1991 and 1994 the Cabriolet ("Kadett GSi Conversivel") was also marketed. The body-in-raw was shipped to Bertone in Italy to be turned into a convertible, then returned to Brazil to be finished - a six-month process.^[15] The Conversivel was only available with the same 2.0-litre multi-point electronic injection engine with 121 PS (89 kW) which was installed in the GSi.^[16] In 1990, as a tie-in with the Italia '90 World Cup, the "Kadett Turim" (Turin) was offered. The Ipanema was also sold in three special editions: the Wave, Sol, and Flair. These were offered in 1992, 1993, and 1994.

In 1994, the equipment levels SL and SL/E were changed to GL and GLS, in line with other new Brazilian Chevrolet products.^[15] In April 1994, for the 1995 model year, the car was updated with a new dashboard and the power window controls were moved from between the seats to the doors. The 1995 GLS and GSi were actually discontinued in 1994, as a lowered import tariff enabled Chevrolet to begin importing Belgian-built Astras.^[17] Tariffs again jumped (from 20 to 70%) in February 1995, and thus a Kadett 2.0 Sport was introduced as the Astra was no longer offered.

Daewoo versions

The Kadett E formed the basis of the Daewoo LeMans (later known as the Daewoo Cielo, Racer and Nexia) in South Korea, Nexia being the hatchback version), which was sold in the United States and New Zealand as the Pontiac LeMans, and in Canada (initially) as the Passport Optima. LeMans sales ended in 1993. The Nexia was produced until 2016 at the UzDaewoo plant in Asaka, Uzbekistan. The Cielo was last being produced at Automobile Craiova, a semi-independent (from GM) plant in Craiova, Romania. Their license expired in the fall of 2006, and Cielo was produced until 2007.