Launched in 1975 as a 1976 model, the Cavalier was made from 1975 to 1995
1988 to 1992 range
Base (1.4, 1.6 petrol, 1.7 diesel) L (1.4, 1.6, 1.6i, 1.8, 1.8i, 2.0i petrol, 1.7 diesel, 1.7 turbodiesel)
GL (1.6, 1.6i, 1.8, 1.8i, 2.0i petrol, 1.7 diesel, 1.7 turbodiesel) CD (2.0i petrol) SRi (2.0i petrol) GSi (2.0i 16v petrol)
1992 to 1995 range
Envoy (1.6i petrol, 1.7 diesel, 1.7 turbodiesel) LS (1.6i, 1.8i, 2.0i petrol, 1.7 diesel, 1.7 turbodiesel)
GLS (1.6i, 1.8i, 2.0i, 2.5 V6 petrol, 1.7 diesel, 1.7 turbodiesel)
CD (2.0i, 2.5 V6 petrol, 1.7 turbodiesel) CDX (2.0i, 2.5 V6 petrol, 1.7 turbodiesel)
SRi (2.0i petrol) V6 (2.5i V6 petrol) Turbo (2.0 16v 4x4 petrol 6 speed Turbocharged)
The last Cavalier was introduced in October 1988 for the 1989 model year, being Vauxhall's version of the Opel Vectra, again available as a saloon and hatchback. There was no estate version in the Opel lineup, and as the Vectra was not going to be sold in Australia, there was no prospect of Vauxhall turning to Holden for a replacement. The Vectra name was not adopted at this model change as Vauxhall feared reviving memories of the somewhat pedestrian Vauxhall Victor. (This memory was fading, however, and the Vectra name would eventually be revived with the Cavalier's replacement.)
In place of the Mk 2 Cavalier's angular exterior was a more rounded appearance. There was also a new economical 1.4 L petrol engine. The biggest changes to the range were the addition of 2.0 L 16 valve engines, better known as the (red top) or XE. This was fitted to the GSi 2000 and later SRi's. Also made available was a four wheel drive system, fitted to a 2.0iL model (8 valve SRi spec) and on a version of the GSi 2000. There were two diesels available: a 1.7 L, 60 bhp from launch, and an 82 bhp 1.7 Isuzu engined turbo diesel from 1992. The early SRi's were fitted with the 2.0 8 valve engine from the previous Cavalier model, which produced 130 hp. Despite the lack of an estate bodystyle, the Cavalier topped the large medium family car sales charts in Britain in 1991, ahead of the Sierra. Its best year for sales was in 1992, when it was Britain's second best selling car behind the Escort.
Vauxhall came up with a new coupe, the Vauxhall Calibra, developed from the Cavalier Mk 3, to replace the discontinued Opel Manta. The Calibra 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 0.28. A few variants were made: the 2.0 litre 8 valve, 2.0 L 16 valve (the same engine in the proven Cavalier Gsi2000), the turbo version (again, the same engine used in the very successful Cavalier Turbo), the 2.5 L V6 and finally the 2.0 L 16 valve "Ecotec".
A facelift in the autumn of 1992 saw the Cavalier's 1.4 L engine dropped and a 172 hp 2.5 L V6 added to the range. At this time the GSi 2000 was replaced by a new four wheel drive version badged simply (Cavalier Turbo) with a turbocharged version of the 16 valve engine producing over 200 bhp. Most of the range now had airbags and ABS as standard. The exterior design was also freshened up, with a new look grille, headlights,rear lights and bumper mouldings. Finally for the 1995 model year, the new 2.0L Ecotec engine was launched replacing the previous 16 valve (red top) engine, with a reduced power output down to 136 bhp, compared to the 150 bhp of the previous engine. The 2.0 L 8 valve engine in the SRis were replaced in 1992 with a 115 hp engine, due to emission problems when fitted with a catalytic converter.Production of the Cavalier ceased in late 1995 when it was replaced by the Vectra.
Carlton was made from 1978 to 1994, and had a line up were two impressive In Line 6 engines with 2.6 and 3.0 litres. Originally, these were 12 valve engines, but later models offered a 24 valve version producing much more power and torque. As well, Vauxhall used the (Dual Ram) intake manifold, which lets the car breathe as 2 3 cylinder engines below 4000RPM, but changes the intake manifold profile at 4000RPM to increase the runner length, thus increasing total engine output. On its launch at the end of 1986 the Vauxhall Carlton saloon and estate range earned itself the accolade of European Car of the Year. Vauxhall's comfortable, well equipped and refined cruiser was a direct competitor for the Ford Granada / Scorpio & Rover 800 Series. It proved hugely popular in the fleet market with managing directors as well as other buyers who could afford to buy it. In 1990, Vauxhall launched a high performance 377bhp Carlton in collaboration with Lotus Cars, calling it the LOTUS CARLTON. It was built with a 3615cc six cylinder twin turbocharged engine (designated C36GET) capable of 175mph, making it officially (for the time) the fastest full four seater saloon ever made. It costed nearly £50,000, well over double the value of a standard Carlton. For those with less money there was the 3000GSi 24 valve, with a top speed of nearly 150mph. And in 1994 Vauxhall Carlton was replaced by the Vauxhall Omega,but still to this day, the LOTUS CARLTON rules the saloons, as well as it holds it's price too. (around £15,000).
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