The Opel Kadett-E turns 40, an important anniversary for the fifth generation characterized by its rounded line, integrated bumpers and the absence of tailpipes.
One of its strong points was the internal space, with a 390-litre boot, compared to an increase in length of just 2 cm compared to the previous model.
The Cd of 0.32 was excellent which, in the 203 km/h GSI variant, dropped to 0.30.
Initially produced with only two body types: two-volume sedan and station wagon, and with different engines: 1.2 55 HP, 1.3 75 HP and 1.6 diesel 55 HP, it had a base price of 11,582,000 lire.
Later, it was also offered in the station wagon version and in the commercial vehicle version.
For the Italian market, the most powerful versions were chosen to which the sporty GSi was added with the 1.8 with 115 HP.
The success of this Opel was underlined by obtaining the title of car of the year 1985, the year in which the GSi debuted, recognizable by the thin grille, in the center of which the GSi logo stood out, by the spoiler on the tailgate, and by the lower strips added to the sides, as well as to the rear spoiler.
This variant also had the oil cooler, 5-speed close ratio gearbox, ventilated front disc brakes, gas shock absorbers, and rear stabilizer bar.
At the end of 1985, the version with three-volume bodywork also arrived, the 4-door, which was offered in Italy with prices starting from 12,742,000 lire.
The beginning of 1987 saw the introduction of the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder for the Opel Kadett GSi which provided a power increase of 15 HP thus reaching a maximum power of 130 HP for a top speed of 206 km/h.
Imported only in the 3-door version, it was put up for sale at 18,129,000 lire.
In the same year it was also joined by the Cabrio "by Bertone", built in the Bertone factory in Grugliasco, Turin.
While, in the spring of 1988, the search for power led the Opel GSi to house a 156 HP 2-litre twin-cam engine with aluminum head and 4 valves per cylinder under the bonnet.
Furthermore, at the end of the same year, two new advanced diesel engines will arrive for the Kadett-E which will replace the 1,600 Diesel.
The first was a compact turbodiesel with indirect injection with intercooler of just 1,488 cc which developed 72 HP and allowed it to reach a speed of around 165-170 km/h.
The second is a 1.7 naturally aspirated diesel, already fitted on the Vectra, with 57 HP.
The last chapter concerns the adoption of the catalytic converter, with the first catalyzed Kadett-E arriving in Italy in November 1989, it was a 4-door LS sedan equipped with a 1.6-liter electronic injection engine sold at price of 15,999,000 lire, 800,000 lire less than the corresponding version with conventional exhaust.
The last Kadett-E left the Bochum factories on 20 July 1991, in total 3,878,000 Kadett-Es and 603,000 Vauxhall Astra equivalents were produced, while in Italy a total of 283,185 Opel Kadett-Es were sold.
From 1990, Opel created, for the end of the car's career, the so-called "special editions" such as the Champion, an elegant version of the sporty GSi 16V, and the Life, based on the 4 and 5 door sedan.
However, the "specials" Beauty, Frisco and Fun did not arrive in Italy.
Finally, for over a year Opel continued, in parallel with the production of the new Opel/Vauxhall Astra, the construction of the Kadett-E Cabrio which, in 1992, was subject to further updates.
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