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69-527: The Cavalier was among the inaugural vehicles of the GM J platform . One of the first "world cars" of General Motors, the J platform was developed for use by each North American GM division (with the exception of GMC), alongside international models for Opel, Vauxhall, and Holden. Though sharing chassis underpinnings, J-body cars from Europe and Australia used slightly different body designs and different powertrains; in Europe,

138-575: A 3S-GTE engine from a SW20 MR2 Turbo that was restricted to meet GT300's 300 horsepower limit. Kraft debuted the Cavalier in the fourth round of the 1997 season as their second entry, accompanying the #6 Toyota MR2 (W20) that was racing full-time that year. Minoru Tanaka was signed as one of its drivers along with Kumi Sato  [ ja ] , one of the only seven female racing drivers in both JGTC and Super GT . The Cavalier only finished 16th in its debut at Fuji , but Tanaka and Sato brought home

207-463: A V6 engine , which had been available in the first and second generation, was dropped and replaced by a new four-cylinder of similar power output. Base and RS models still retained the 2.2-litre pushrod four-cylinder engine (2.2 L OHV) of the previous models, which was primarily mated to a 3-speed automatic, but was available with 5-speed manual in the two-door models, in particular the RS models. As of 1996

276-482: A 2-door coupe, 3-door hatchback, 4-door sedan, and a 4-door station wagon. Available trim packages were the entry level Cadet, mid-level Base, and the upscale CL, which could be optioned with two-tone paint, accent stripes, and aluminum alloy wheels. The suspension was shared with the Citation and Celebrity , and consisted of MacPherson struts, lower control arms, coil springs, and a front stabilizer bar. The rear suspension

345-706: A facelift for 2000, the Toyota did as well with the updated center console, head-lights/hood/front bumper, taillights, and colors available. TRD made a body kit and rear wing for the Cavalier, available exclusively in Japan. The car was sold only at Toyota Store Japanese dealerships. The Cavalier was not the only GM product sold in Japan; the Saturn S-series , also with right-hand-drive, was sold at Saturn dealerships (some former Isuzu dealerships) from 1996 until 2003, and some Toyota Vista Stores also retailed Saturns. The Cavalier

414-558: A fair number of these vehicles are exported out of Japan as Japanese used cars, most notably to Australia and New Zealand. Production of the Toyota Cavalier ceased in June 2000. Despite Toyota making considerable efforts to sell the Cavalier on the domestic market, the Japanese public perceived the quality of workmanship to not be up to the standard typically expected of locally built cars. The car

483-438: A fourth place finish in the next round at Mine . The results from Mine was enough for Tanaka and Sato to finish 17th in the standings. Sato was retained for the 1998 season and was joined by Masaoki Nagashima  [ ja ] in the first round, Junko Mihara in the second round and Akira Watanabe for the remainder of the year. Sato and Watanabe scored three points finishes and finished 24th in that year's championship. It

552-510: A full-width rear reflector, a new rear spoiler and rear bumper fascia. The third-generation Cavalier earned several low scores in crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration . Also, IIHS fatality risks statistics rated the Cavalier among the "highest rates of driver deaths", with 150 (four-door) to 171 (two-door) driver deaths per million registered vehicle years. Average for

621-478: A new 4-speed automatic became available in any trim; this had originally been intended to be introduced along with the redesign but General Motors' cash shortage delayed it. The Z24 and LS convertible used the 2.3 L LD2 Quad 4 engine in 1995, but they received a new engine in 1996, the 2.4 liter DOHC LD9 . This engine could also be special ordered on a 4-door LS model. This engine produced 150 hp (112 kW) and 155 lb⋅ft (210 N⋅m) of torque and

690-463: A planned Beretta convertible . However, the Beretta convertible was shelved at the eleventh hour, before a 1990 Cavalier convertible could be prepared. The 1991 Cavalier got a more extensive restyling that involved a new hood, bumpers, headlights, taillights, wheel covers, and a redesigned interior; however, the body style remained unchanged. Most notably, the cooling system was redesigned to draw air from

759-594: A wider effort to avoid additional restrictions on exports to the US, the third generation model was briefly sold in Japan by Toyota under an agreement with GM, badged as the Toyota Cavalier . Aside from the fact that it was right hand drive, the Toyota Cavalier also featured a leather-wrapped shift knob, steering wheel and park brake lever, wider front fenders, taillights with amber turn signals for Japanese regulations, power folding side mirrors, side turn signal repeaters on

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828-466: A wider front sway bar and FE2 Sports Suspension for better handling characteristics, and less aggressive ABS anti-lock braking system. In 2002, the 3-speed automatic was dropped from the base models equipped with the 2.2, and the 4-speed automatic became the main offering across the entire lineup, with 5-speed still available in the two-door cars. Also, the RS was replaced by the LS Sport line, which featured

897-506: Is the fifth best selling automobile platform in automotive history. [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Pontiac 2000 Pontiac 2000 Sunbird Pontiac Sunbird [REDACTED] [REDACTED] 1981 –1982 (J2000) 1983 (2000) 1984 (2000 Sunbird) 1985–1994 (Sunbird) [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] 3-door hatchbacks have different (more upright) rooflines than

966-483: The 1984 Summer Olympics . For 1985, the 2.8 liter LB6 V6 was added as an optional engine. It was meant to debut with the Z24 package, but the Z24 package was delayed until 1986. The V6 was available as an option on all trim levels. For 1986, the Z24 package was added as on option for the coupe and hatchback models. It featured digital gauges, sport wheels, a ground effects kit, and a specific front fascia. The Type 10 package

1035-618: The Chevrolet Chevette subcompact and the front-wheel drive Nova replacement (which was renamed the Chevrolet Citation for production). Serving as a replacement for the Vega, the Monza was offered as a 2-door notchback coupe, 3-door hatchback, and 3-door station wagon (sharing the body of the Vega wagon). Initially developed for the stillborn GM Wankel rotary engine , the rear-wheel drive Monza

1104-563: The Chevrolet Sail . The new Cavalier was priced between the smaller Sail and the more modern second-generation Cruze. Deliveries started in September, with almost 10,000 units sold in its first month, but there were indications the Cavalier was cannibalizing sales of the similarly-priced first-generation Cruze, which remained available. Starting in 2018, this Cavalier went on sale in Mexico, replacing

1173-601: The Chevrolet Sonic . There, the 1.5 L engine produces 107 hp (80 kW) and 104 lb⋅ft (141 N⋅m) . The Mexico-spec Cavalier was updated for 2020, with three new paint colors, new wheel design, four airbags, ABS brakes, 3-point seatbelts and stability control, as well as minor changes to the interior for the LT trim line. These included a 7" screen with Chevrolet myLink and smartphone integration for Apple CarPlay. The 2020 Cavalier went on sale on 23 September 2019. In 2019,

1242-703: The Isuzu Aska to compete with other Japanese made products sold in the domestic market at the time. Isuzu also supplied kits for Holden's J-car version, the Camira ., whilst correspondingly - Holden manufactured the GM Family II engines installed in J-body cars manufactured worldwide, and also the station wagon bodywork for the Camira was supplied to Vauxhall in the UK for its estate version of

1311-528: The 1.6 petrol engined Cavalier for the British market had a top speed of 105 mph, compared to the 101 mph top speed of the 2.0 petrol engined Ford Cortina – its key competitor for a year until the Ford Sierra was launched in 1982. Due to the exterior dimensions, and the engines offered being in compliance with Japanese regulations , the platform was classed in the favorable "compact" designation allowing

1380-597: The 1990s on were made at Lordstown Assembly , which became synonymous with the Cavalier and compact Chevrolet modes in general from the earlier Chevrolet Vega all the way to the Chevrolet Cruze . For 2005, the Chevrolet Cobalt replaced the model line in North America. The Cavalier began development in the late 1970s, as Chevrolet sought to replace the compact Monza with a front-wheel drive model line sized between

1449-562: The 1992 model year when work begain in 1988, but General Motors' bad finances forced them to postpone it twice. A variety of convertible versions were developed as well, from fully official to purely aftermarket. In all cases, final assembly of convertibles was subcontracted by General Motors; in North America by American Sunroof Corporation (ASC); in Brazil by Envemo and Sulam, and in Europe by Keinath and Hammond & Thiede  [ de ] . Hammond & Thiede's version originated with

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1518-560: The Beretta Convertible ended up not being produced, the Cavalier convertible was brought back mid-year, in RS trim only with the V6 engine standard. Minor changes for 1991 also included the Alpha Tech ignition lock cylinder, which incorporated a dual-bit key that was larger and thicker in size in comparison to the old single-bit lock cylinder system that had been used for years. The lock system

1587-628: The Cavalier II. The fourth character in the Vehicle Identification Number for a J-body car is "J". The platform received two major cosmetic redesigns, in 1988 and a more thorough makeover in 1995, along with major powertrain revisions. The 1995 makeover was only sold in North America, as General Motors subsidiaries in other countries had replaced it (mainly with cars based on the GM2900 platform ). This makeover had originally been planned for

1656-413: The Cavalier class (small) was 103 (four-door) to 134 (two-door) driver deaths per million registered vehicle years. The IIHS gave the 1995-2005 Cavalier a "poor" overall score in their frontal offset collision test. 2005 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Crash Test Ratings (coupe): 2002 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Crash Test Ratings (sedan): As part of

1725-461: The Cavalier line. The convertibles received a glass rear window, allowing rear window defrost as an option. Also, the RS trim received a minor styling change, doing away with its grille slot. The 1994 models were also carryovers, as a redesign of the Cavalier was in development. Both of the wagon's trim levels—the VL and RS—were dropped, but the body style continued to be marketed in an unnamed base trim that

1794-567: The Chevrolet Corsica. The convertible was now available in both RS and Z24 trims, with the V6 standard in the Z24 and optional with the RS. Anti-lock brakes were added as a standard feature, as Delco Moraine had managed to develop a low-cost system. Power locks were also standard, and were designed to automatically lock when the car is shifted out of park, or if the car is traveling at least 8 miles per hour in manual transmission equipped coupe models. Model year 1993 brought minimal changes to

1863-487: The J-body marked the introduction of front-wheel drive for its compact model lines, simultaneously replacing the rear-wheel drive H-body and the European U-body platforms, the latter being a stretched version of the original rear-wheel drive T-body. The J-body was marketed as a world car , with GM brands selling versions of the platform in North America, Europe, Australia, and Japan; in markets outside of North America,

1932-737: The J-body occurred in plants in Germany, Belgium, and Britain. It was generally well received but was narrowly beaten to the European Car of the Year accolade by the Renault 9 . The Vauxhall Cavalier version was particularly successful in Britain, where it was the second best selling car in 1984 and 1985 and managed around 800,000 sales across a seven-year production run. At the time, it set new standards for performance and economy in this size of car in Europe; for instance,

2001-740: The Karosseriefabrik Voll, which was taken over by H&T in 1985. Over its 24-year production run, the GM J platform would be sold under 16 different nameplates (five under the Pontiac brand alone). During the 1980s, a version of the J platform would be marketed by every division of General Motors in North America (with the exception of GMC ). Over 5.8 million of the original (pre-1995 facelift) J-cars were sold in North America. Approximately 10,150,000 GM J platform cars were sold across eleven marques on six continents from 1982 through 1997. Consequently, it

2070-478: The LS models. The Z24 only came in 2-door coupe models until 2001 and featured a sport-tuned suspension, 16-inch tires, alloy wheels and improved interior electronics. Aesthetically little changed from the other models other than a ground effects kit and taller rear spoiler. In 2002, a 4-door Z24 Sedan debuted, featuring the same mechanics but having a less sporty body. The Z24 trim also received several other upgrades including

2139-601: The Mexican Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 took on the appearance of the Pontiac Sunbird GT sold in the United States. No wagons and convertibles were offered in Mexico. The Cavalier received its first total redesign for 1995, with expanded dimensions and more aerodynamic styling, incorporating minor design cues from the fourth generation Chevrolet Camaro . Some of the basic styling cues remained however, such as

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2208-526: The North American versions. [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Opel Ascona C [REDACTED] Vauxhall Cavalier Mark II [REDACTED] Opel: 2-door sedan 4-door sedan 5-door hatchback Vauxhall: 2-door sedan 2-door convertible 4-door sedan 5-door hatchback 5-door station wagon [REDACTED] American Specialty Cars American Specialty Cars (commonly known as ASC or American Sunroof Company )

2277-566: The United States in May 1981 as a 1982 model. The Cavalier name originated from GM's then-British subsidiary Vauxhall , who applied it to badge engineered variants of the Opel Ascona , the third generation of which was the first J-body car to be released. Initially, the 1.8 liter carbureted L46 inline 4 was the only available engine, and it could be mated to either a 4-speed manual or a 3-speed automatic transmission. The Cavalier came in four body styles:

2346-632: The Vauxhall Cavalier and Opel Ascona were marketed as mid-size cars. Initially a divisional counterpart of the Buick Skyhawk , Cadillac Cimarron , Oldsmobile Firenza , and Pontiac J2000, the Cavalier was primarily marketed alongside the Pontiac Sunbird (renamed the Pontiac Sunfire for 1995). The 1982–2005 Cavalier was produced by multiple GM facilities across North America; all models from

2415-428: The Z24's ratings to approximately 190 hp (142 kW) and 195 lb⋅ft (264 N⋅m) of torque. The third generation Cavalier had two facelifts. There was a minor one in 1999 with new front and rear bumper fascias which included revised headlamps and taillamps for 2000 models. There was a more extensive refresh in 2002 for the 2003 model year, which included a complete new front end design, revised taillamps with

2484-422: The bumper, giving it a Ford Taurus -style bumper and grille-less nose. The new bumpers were unpainted, with the option to have them colored grey, black or white, the latter only available on white-colored models. The RS and the Z24 eschewed this for a color-keyed body package. Z24 models also gained the options for a height-adjustable driver's seat and a CD player. The platform and trim lines were carried over. Since

2553-505: The bumper-integrated grille and the coupes' dipped beltline. Coupe, sedan, and convertible options were offered, however the wagon model was discontinued, and later replaced with the Chevrolet HHR in 2005. The car now had the available option of 15 and 16-inch wheels. By 1997, the Cavalier became the best selling car within the entire GM lineup. For the third generation, powertrain options were limited to inline-four engines. The option for

2622-607: The car was discontinued in the Chinese domestic market after being replaced by the Chevrolet Monza (科鲁泽), although it continued to be built for export. The 科沃兹 (Kewozi) name is now used on the Onix, positioned below the Monza. The fifth-generation Cavalier is marketed in Mexico since in late 2021 as a 2022 model. It is a rebadged version of the Chevrolet Monza sedan produced in China. Reflecting

2691-431: The discontinued Buick Skyhawk, Oldsmobile Firenza and Cadillac Cimarron. For 1989, the steering column was redesigned. The new self-aligning steering wheel was designed so as to reduce injuries in a collision by bending to conform to the driver's chest. Also, rear shoulder belts became standard on all models. RS and Z24 custom cloth seating received a new style of front bucket seats with integral headrests. The optional V6

2760-410: The end of World War II, sold various GM products including the Cavalier. When the decision was made to sell the Cavalier as a Toyota, this disrupted operations at Yanase. When the Toyota Cavalier was cancelled, Yanase continued to sell Chevrolet and other GM products. Yanase also provides complete maintenance services for all vehicles sold. Due to higher than typically average vehicle inspection costs,

2829-549: The entire Cavalier line-up until 2005 when the Chevrolet Cavalier was replaced by the Chevrolet Cobalt . A GM Eaton M45 Supercharger kit was also offered for the Z24 trim as well. The supercharger kit was developed and tested by General Motors and could only be installed at a GM dealer. This upgrade increased performance considerably due to a pressure of 4.7 PSI which in turn added approximately 40 hp (30 kW) and 40 lb⋅ft (54 N⋅m) of torque increase; raising

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2898-552: The final example (a Pontiac Sunfire) was produced. Introduced by Saturn for 2003, the GM Delta platform is the fourth generation of compact cars from General Motors. The design of the J-car began in 1976. Originally, the J-car was only intended for the Chevrolet and Pontiac brands, but soon thereafter Oldsmobile and Buick were added. At the time, GM-controlled divisions in different parts of

2967-468: The front fenders, and carpeting on the inside of the trunk lid. Interior seats were often flecked with color, and the rear seat had a fold-down armrest. Vehicles produced from February through December 1998 were available with a leather interior equipped with an automatic transmission only. All models featured wheels borrowed from the Pontiac Sunfire . The Toyota Cavalier was available in 2.4G and 2.4Z trim levels. While all Chevrolet-badged Cavaliers received

3036-576: The ignition was switched off. The Chevrolet Cavalier was introduced in Mexico in model year 1990 to replace the Chevrolet Celebrity, which had been until then the entry point to the Mexican GM lineup. The initial offering consisted only of a 4-door sedan with a 2.8 L MPFI V6 with a 5-speed manual gearbox, or a 3-speed automatic as an option. For 1991, it got the same redesign as in the United States and

3105-814: The manufacturing plant in Lexington, Kentucky. The company was founded by Heinz Prechter in Los Angeles, California as the American Sunroof Company in 1965. The company soon expanded its operations into Detroit by 1967. The company first supplied OEM services for the Ford Motor Company 's 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 . In the industry, ASC became well known for converting standard coupe automobiles into convertibles on an OEM basis. The company also engineers convertible tops for automakers to build themselves. Other original-equipment firsts for ASC include

3174-541: The model line was packaged as a mid-size car . Outside North America, the use of the J platform was phased out after the 1980s in favor of the Opel-based GM2900 platform . In North America, the introduction of the Saturn S-Series would lead to the consolidation of the J-body to the Chevrolet and Pontiac brands. Following several major revisions, the J platform remained in use into the 21st century; in June 2005,

3243-413: The new Ecotec L61 motors with 140 hp (104 kW) and 150 lb⋅ft (203 N⋅m) torque. These engines improved fuel economy, featuring the same displacement as the GM 122 Pushrod Engine (2.2 L OHV) while maintaining most of the power of the older LD9 motors. The new Ecotec motors replaced the GM 122 Pushrod Engine (2.2 L OHV) in base models in 2003, and became the sole engine choice in

3312-484: The new engine, it is marketed as the Cavalier Turbo. The engine is a 1,298 cc inline-four producing 161 hp (120 kW) and 170 lb⋅ft (230 N⋅m). General Motors J platform The General Motors J platform , or J-body , is an automobile platform that was used by General Motors for compact cars from the 1982 to 2005 model years. The third generation of compact cars designed by GM,

3381-417: The second fuel crisis and only 14 months before the cars introduction, it was decided to create a Cadillac derivative as well. Aside from a hefty price tag, the hastily developed Cimarron had little to distinguish it from the other J-car offerings. In continental Europe, the car was sold as the Opel Ascona . In Britain, it was known as the Vauxhall Cavalier. Irrespective of badging, European production of

3450-554: The use of captive imports . Along with developing up-to-date chassis underpinnings to replace the Monza, GM sought to expand the market appeal of the new model line by expanding the number of available body styles. The notchback coupe and three-door hatchback would make a return, joined by a four-door sedan and five-door station wagon (two body styles offered in mid-size and full-size Chevrolets). 1988–89: 178.6 in (4,536 mm) 1990–94: 182.3 in (4,630 mm) 1988–89 Wagon: 178.8 in (4,542 mm) The first-generation Cavalier first went on sale in

3519-792: The world manufactured totally different rear-wheel drive C-segment cars – the Chevrolet Vega in America, the Vauxhall Cavalier / Opel Ascona in Europe, the Holden Torana in Australia and the Isuzu Florian in Japan. It was decided that a common replacement would be developed to eliminate duplication of engineering effort and ensure parts interchangeability – a practice known as badge engineering or platform-sharing . In November 1979, subsequent to

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3588-648: Was also introduced while Japan was in a recession following the 1991 collapse of the Japanese asset price bubble or "bubble economy." Kraft, a semi-factory supported Toyota team that competed in the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship , raced a Toyota Cavalier in the GT300 class for the 1997 and 1998 seasons. The Cavalier GT300 car retained its front-wheel drive layout, but it was fitted with Bomex racing body and aerodynamic packages along with

3657-597: Was an automobile supplier of highly engineered and designed roof systems, body systems and other specialty-vehicle systems for the world’s automakers. The company was headquartered in Warren, Michigan , in the United States and was one of several coach convertible builders. ASC sold assets to its Creative Services division in late 2016 to Roush Industries. In late June 2017, ASC effectively ceased operations, laying off all staff and had tooling and production equipment removed from

3726-454: Was discontinued and replaced with the RS package, which was now available on all body styles. For 1987, both available engines were refreshed. The LQ5 four-cylinder was updated to the LL8 designation, gained 5 horsepower, and the distributor was replaced with a coil pack ignition system. The LB6 V6 gained aluminum cylinder heads, different fuel injectors, and electronic spark control. The Cavalier

3795-484: Was discontinued in 2005. Chevrolet reintroduced the Cavalier name on a new compact sedan for the Chinese market, positioned below the Cruze , with the Chinese model name being Kewozi (科沃兹). The Cavalier was introduced at the 2016 Chengdu Auto Show on September 2, 2016. It uses the same Delta II platform as the first-generation Cruze, and the 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that powers many compact GM models in China, including

3864-536: Was entirely produced by GM in the US at the Lordstown Assembly location, and sold from 1995 to 2000. The 1996-2000 Toyota Cavaliers came equipped with the 2.4 L LD9 engine, while the 1995 used the 2.3 L Quad 4. Due to the engine displacement and width dimensions (1,740 mm (69 in) for the coupe, 1,735 mm (68 in) for the sedan) exceeding Japanese government regulations concerning exterior dimensions and maximum engine displacement, it

3933-495: Was essentially the same as the VL. The 2.2 L OHV L4 was now converted to the SFI version found in the Corsica, which delivered an output of 120 horsepower. Additional changes included a slightly redesigned climate control interface and the power locking system being again redesigned: the doors would still lock automatically when put into gear, but they would also unlock automatically when

4002-410: Was intended to be a stronger deterrent to vehicle theft, but constant problems were reported with the lock jamming. It was dropped after an improved dual-bit single key system was introduced for the 1995 model year and redesign. For 1992, the 2.2 L OHV standard engine adopted multi-point fuel injection , or MPFI to improve output to 110 hp (82 kW), however unlike the SFI version of the 2.2L in

4071-480: Was not considered a "compact" so it was sold as a "normal-class car" like the Toyota Mark II and Nissan Skyline . Prices for the coupe started at 2 million yen for the coupe, and 1.81 million yen for the sedan. the final Toyota Cavalier was imported in 2000. The introduction of the Toyota Cavalier was not the first time the Cavalier was sold in Japan. Yanase Co., Ltd. , a Japanese retail dealership that started importing European and North American vehicles soon after

4140-409: Was now also offered as a coupé. The coupé Cavalier Z24 was also introduced in Mexico with a 3.1 L V6, with both manual or automatic transmissions. For 1992, the Mexican Cavalier continued unchanged. For 1993, the Mexican Chevrolet Cavalier adopted the aesthetics from the Pontiac Sunbird . For 1993 and 1994, the Cavaliers sold there featured Sunbird body panels, as opposed to US-spec Cavalier panels and

4209-436: Was only available as a Z24, and the dashboard unit from the Type 10 was installed in coupes and convertibles with the Z24 appearance, while the VL and RS used the dashboard unit shared with the Sunbird and Cimarron. The VL and RS came standard with the 2.0 L OHV L4 engine, now upgraded to throttle-body injection, or TBI, producing 90 hp (67 kW), while the 2.8 L V6 producing 125 hp (93 kW)

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4278-472: Was optional on the RS and standard on the Z24. With two-door models, a 5-speed manual transmission was standard and a 3-speed automatic was optional, however the 3-speed automatic was made standard on sedans and wagons. An electronic dashboard was available with the RS and Z24 trims, while the front suspension carried over from the previous generation and the rear suspension adopted the torsion-beam rear axle, along with coil springs and rear stabilizer bars from

4347-577: Was reengineered to accommodate V6 and V8 engines up to 350 cu in (5.7 L). Marketed as one of the smallest and lowest-price American cars, the Chevette hatchback was closer in size to the Volkswagen Beetle , competing primarily against subcompacts from Japanese-brand manufacturers, including the Honda Civic , Datsun B210 and Toyota Corolla . Following the introduction of the Dodge Omni and Ford Fiesta , American manufacturers began transitioning towards front-wheel drive in compacts and subcompacts, through both domestically produced vehicles and

4416-408: Was restyled in 1987 for the 1988 model year. The 3-door hatchback was dropped, while the coupe, sedan, wagon and convertible carried over. The sedan and wagon were unchanged from the doors back, while the coupe's exterior was completely redesigned. This resulted in different trunk designs for the coupe and sedan. Three trim levels were available for 1988: VL for Value Leader, RS, and Z24. The convertible

4485-419: Was retooled to 130 hp. For 1990, the base engine was enlarged to a 2.2 L OHV L4 , and power increased to 95 horsepower (71 kW). Door-mounted automatic front seatbelts were added due to US passive restraint legislation. The optional V6 engine was also upgraded to the 3.1 L V6 and 140 horsepower. The convertible was dropped from availability to prevent internal competition with

4554-481: Was the first convertible from Chevrolet since the Caprice convertible had been discontinued in 1975. For 1984, the Cavalier's styling was lightly refreshed, with a new grille and four rather than two rectangular sealed-beam Headlamps . The Type 10 package, previously available only on the hatchback, was offered on the coupe and convertible models. 5,161 Cavaliers built at the South Gate Assembly plant were festooned with an Olympic special appearance package to celebrate

4623-442: Was to be the Cavalier's final year in JGTC as Kraft decided to replace it with a spaceframe Toyota AE86 for the 1999 season. Most Cavaliers were built at Lordstown Assembly , although they have also been produced at South Gate Assembly (1982 model year only), Lansing Car Assembly (1995-1998 coupes), Lansing Craft Centre (1995-2000 convertibles), Janesville Assembly , Ramos Arizpe Assembly , and Leeds Assembly . The Cavalier

4692-403: Was unique to the Cavalier and featured a solid beam axle, trailing arms, and variable-rate coil springs. For 1983, the 2.0 liter throttle body fuel-injected LQ5 inline 4 replaced the previous L46 engine, and a 5-speed manual transmission was offered. A convertible model produced by American Specialty Cars was added late in the model year; initial production totaled fewer than 1,000 units. This

4761-409: Was used until 2002. In 2000, the car gained a minor facelift consisting of bigger headlights and an improved grille, lost the "CHEVROLET" text badge at the trunklid and gained a new "CAVALIER" badge along with new "five spoke" hubcaps. The 2.4-litre engine came mated standard with the Getrag F23 5-speed manual transmission on the Z24 models, or with the optional 4-speed automatic on both the Z24 and

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