GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Company (GM DAEWOO) has introduced to the new Lacetti mid-size sedan. The Lacetti is the first model introduced by GM DAEWOO since the new company was launched. It has gone into production after a development period of only 30 months.

Its styling and interior design were developed in conjunction with design company Pininfarina and the Design Center of the GM Daewoo Technology Laboratory. The name Lacetti is derived from the Latin word Lacertus, meaning energetic, muscular, youthful and full of strength. The model underwent durability tests at Millbrook and MIRA in Great Britain, hot weather testing in Granada, Spain, cold weather testing in Argeplog, Sweden, performance testing in highland areas of Lizang, China, and crash tests at MGA of the United States. In total, the car was put through 1.8 million kilometers of durability and weather tests, and more than 190 crash tests. It received the highest possible rating in the 64 km/h IIHS Test conducted by the American Insurance Association.

GM Daewoo will unveil the new Lacetti to the public for the first time at the Seoul Motor Show on November 21.

It will go on sale in Korea on November 25, 2002, and will be available in three different versions: the EX, LUX and MAX.

Engine/transmissions:
- a 1.5 liter DOHC E-TEC II engine, 106 kW at 6,000 rpm and torque of 142/4,200 rpm
- adjustable induction system
- 0-100 km/h in 13 seconds, maximum speed of 183 km/h
- a five-speed manual or a low-speed automatic transmission

Specifications:
- lightweight structure for improved fuel efficiency
- high-tension steel sheet applied to over 40% of the body
- noise restraint systems including thicker sound dampening, filter foam sealing process, triple muffler system and rain channel
- hydraulic engine mounting to reduce engine noise
- hexagonal structure designed for optimum absorption of collision shocks
- dual front and side airbags
- speed and self-adjusting power steering
- dual-link rear suspension
- Bosch 4-sensor, 4-channel ABS system with Electronic Brake Distribution
- traction control system
- split-folding rear seat
- wood grain
- automatic light system
- heated front seats
- remote power locks
- alarm system
- Weather pack comprising heated windscreen, rain sensor and special water repellent windscreen
- air-conditioning

 

Watch out world!!



Seems like the Lacetti will be offered in 1.6L and 1.8L, 2.0L, perhaps an entry level 1.4L, and get this, a DIESEL, in Europe as well. The 1.5L will be offered, but for the Korean market or anywhere it is of benefit (taxes etc) There's gonna be a 5 door hatchback as well as a wagon on offer. Daewoo may very well keep the Nubira name for some markets though. Man, I always did love Pininfarina desgined cars...see those sharp edges around the waistline of the car? Oh yeah baby...that's Signor Farina at his best. (Witness every Peugeot, Ferrari, and most Alfa-Romeos [particularly the 164] for similar cues). Am I the only one who thinks that the front corner lamps are similar to that of the Astra?

[ November 20, 2002, 11:47 AM: Message edited by: tango ]

 

i have a 1.5 engine in my '02 lanos and trust me, they're nothing to blow a load over

i couldnt imagine any amount of tweaking or 'magic' to make this thing perform somewhat decent... frown

 

What you've got to remember is that not everybody is into cars for speed. There are those who only want economy or a low price. Daewoo would more than likely never sell the Nubira in North America with anything less than the 1.8L...matter of fact, they probably would never use anything except the 2.0L. My 1.5 out-performs pretty much everything in the 1.5L arena...Corollas and Semtras/Sunnys are definitely no match. Even out-dragged a 1.6 Civic a few months ago...and I have none of my mods on yet...So either you're out there up against Mustangs, and a few too many Corvettes...then, maybe...you could say they aren't up to it...

 

I understand not everyone wants speed, and i dont want speed either, i want a car thats 'peppy'

This car is HORRIBLY underpowered. I had a 1.3L '98 Firefly and a '91 1.5L Nissan Micra. BOTH would have smoked this car by a long shot.

I'm just saying I think this is a ****ty *** engine, fuel economy isnt even THAT great.

 

It's interesting how taste in vehicles vary...and how that taste dictates one's impression of a particular vehicle. It's ironic...one of my net buddies from BC also drives a 1.5L SOHC Lanos. And he thinks it's pretty darn good. Anyway...like I said...matter of taste...

 

Oh dont get me wrong I like my car. It is a good car and i'd buy another Daewoo at the drop of a hat.

Im just saying one of the things about it i dont like is the acceleration and the heater. The heater takes forever to warm up, and never puts out hot air, only warm sad.gif

And if we all didnt have different taste, we'd all be driving Civics with fake Type R stickers wink

 

Odd.. the heater in my Leganza will *scorch* you if you leave it on high. Maybe it's the motor?

 

really eh? who knows, in my dads truck it warms up super fast in about 4-5 minutes

takes about 15 minutes for mine to warm up and like i said, its never a HOT heat....:/

 

Twice I noticed my heater taking a while to heat up. The first occasion was as a result of the contacts in the switch assembly (behind the dash) making-and-breaking so it wasn't on constantly. The next time was when there wasn't enough coolant in the radiator. Either on could be the source of your prob. As well as the heater could just straight suck!! I've never had real cause to use mine anyway...I live in Jamaica for Christ's sake!! Why bring sand to a beach right?