Daewoo Espero
Encyclopedia
The Daewoo Espero is a mid-size car
produced by the South Korea
n company Daewoo Motors
from 1990 to 1997. It was technically based on the GM J platform
and had the distinction of a body designed by Bertone. It bore more than a passing resemblance to the Citroën Xantia
, itself also a Bertone design. The car was equipped with Holden
-built GM Family 1
1.5 L engine, or the 1.8 or 2.0 L Family II
engine. The Espero was replaced by the Daewoo Leganza
in 1997.
The Espero was renamed Aranos in some but not all Spanish-speaking countries (not in Chile for instance), since the word Espero means I wait in Spanish. Such a name was deemed less than marketable.
In Australia it was sold from 1995 to 1996 before it was replaced in 1997 by the Leganza. It was powered by the 2.0 litre GM Family II engine and was available with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic.
The Espero's 2.0 litre engine was built in Australia and exported to other countries for assembly.
imports began in January 1995 when it was one of two cars (the other being the Nexia
) in the first British Daewoo range. The Nexia is based on the Astra Mk2 and the Espero is based on the Cavalier Mk2 (GM's J-Type Platform). It sold well in the UK, thanks to its competitive asking price, impressive equipment levels and the comprehensive aftersales package. The Espero was launched just months before the Vauxhall Cavalier
MK3 was discontinued and the Vauxhall Vectra, the Cavalier's replacement, was introduced.
Mid-size car
A mid-size car is the North American/Australian standard for an automobile with a size equal to or greater than that of a compact...
produced by the South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n company Daewoo Motors
GM Daewoo
GM Korea Company is South Korea's second largest automobile manufacturer and is a division of the General Motors Company. GM Korea's roots go back to the former Daewoo which was split from its parent company, Daewoo Group, in 2001...
from 1990 to 1997. It was technically based on the GM J platform
GM J platform
The J platform, or J-body, was General Motors' inexpensive front-wheel drive automobile platform from the 1980s and 1990s. The platform replaced the GM H platform. The J-platform is the only platform of GM to have a model in each of its "Original 5" passenger car divisions...
and had the distinction of a body designed by Bertone. It bore more than a passing resemblance to the Citroën Xantia
Citroën Xantia
The Citroën Xantia, pronounced 'Zan-tia' is a large family car produced by the French automaker Citroën. First seen at the end of 1992, the car was produced between 1993 and 2001, with a facelift in 1998. Citroën sold over 1.2 million Xantias during its 8 years of production...
, itself also a Bertone design. The car was equipped with Holden
Holden
GM Holden Ltd is an automaker that operates in Australia, based in Port Melbourne, Victoria. The company was founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer. In 1908 it moved into the automotive field, before becoming a subsidiary of the U.S.-based General Motors in 1931...
-built GM Family 1
GM Family 1 engine
The Family 1 is a straight-4 piston engine that was developed by GM Powertrain, a subsidiary of Opel to replace low-displacement versions of GM Family II engine for use on mid-range cars from Opel.-C16XE:...
1.5 L engine, or the 1.8 or 2.0 L Family II
GM Family II engine
The Family II is a straight-4 piston engine that was originally developed by Opel in the early 1970s. It was used in the Opel Ascona and Opel Kadett and their corresponding sister models the Vauxhall Cavalier and Vauxhall Astra...
engine. The Espero was replaced by the Daewoo Leganza
Daewoo Leganza
The Daewoo Leganza is a mid-size sedan produced by the former Daewoo Motors in South Korea between 1997 and 2002. Its internal development name was V100, under which it and its platform are also known....
in 1997.
The Espero was renamed Aranos in some but not all Spanish-speaking countries (not in Chile for instance), since the word Espero means I wait in Spanish. Such a name was deemed less than marketable.
In Australia it was sold from 1995 to 1996 before it was replaced in 1997 by the Leganza. It was powered by the 2.0 litre GM Family II engine and was available with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic.
The Espero's 2.0 litre engine was built in Australia and exported to other countries for assembly.
The UK market
UKUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
imports began in January 1995 when it was one of two cars (the other being the Nexia
Daewoo Nexia
The Daewoo LeMans/Racer is a subcompact car, first manufactured by Daewoo Motors in South Korea between 1986 and 1994. It was replaced by the facelifted Daewoo Cielo—a car mechanically identical to the LeMans, differentiated only by its modified styling cues...
) in the first British Daewoo range. The Nexia is based on the Astra Mk2 and the Espero is based on the Cavalier Mk2 (GM's J-Type Platform). It sold well in the UK, thanks to its competitive asking price, impressive equipment levels and the comprehensive aftersales package. The Espero was launched just months before the Vauxhall Cavalier
Vauxhall Cavalier
The Vauxhall Cavalier is a large family car sold primarily in the UK by Vauxhall Motors, the British division of General Motors , from 1975 to 1995...
MK3 was discontinued and the Vauxhall Vectra, the Cavalier's replacement, was introduced.