Chevrolet Beretta
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 1989 Chevrolet Beretta GT |
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| Manufacturer | General Motors Corporation Chevrolet Division |
|---|---|
| Production | 1987–1996 |
| Assembly | Wilmington, Delaware, United States Linden, New Jersey, United States |
| Predecessor | Chevrolet Citation |
| Successor | Chevrolet Malibu |
| Class | Compact |
| Body style(s) | 2-door coupé |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | L-body |
| Engine(s) | 2.0 L I4 2.2 L I4 2.3 L Quad-4 2.8 L V6 3.1 L LH0 V6 3.1L "3100 SFI" V6 |
| Transmission(s) | 3-speed 3T40 automatic 4-speed 4T60-E automatic 5-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 103.4 in (2626 mm) |
| Length | 187.2 in (4755 mm) |
| Width | 1988-1990: 68.2 in (1732 mm) 1991-96: 67.9 in (1725 mm) |
| Height | 1988-1990: 55.3 in (1405 mm) 1991-96: 53.2 in (1351 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 15.2 US gallons (57.5 L; 12.7 imp gal) |
| Related | Chevrolet Corsica Pontiac Tempest |
The Chevrolet Beretta is a front wheel drive coupé produced by General Motors from 1987 through 1996. It was built in Wilmington, Delaware and Linden, New Jersey along with its GM L platform mates, the Chevrolet Corsica and the Canada-only Pontiac Tempest sedan.
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[edit] History
The Beretta was designed in Chevrolet Exterior Studio 3, the same design studio as the Camaro and Corvette, but the Beretta slotted below the two. The Beretta was produced in base, CL, GT, GTU, Indy, GTZ and Z26 models. A Beretta convertible was the pace car for the 1990 Indianapolis 500. GM announced a production version of the Beretta convertible for sale in the 1990 model year, but the vehicle ended up getting shelved at the last minute. The GT includes the 2.8 liter V6 and the Z51 suspension package with 15" styled steel wheels and Goodyear Eagle GT tires. Also included is the sport cloth interior and sport steering wheel. The GTU was available 1988 and 1989. Beretta GTUs (w/ FE7 suspension package) were shipped to Cars and Concepts. It's equipped with 16x7" aluminum alloy wheels, custom ground effects, rear spoiler, mirrors, custom trim, and decals. With the FE7 suspension the car is capable of 0.92 G on the skidpad, well above most cars in its class. GTUs are black, red and white.
The GTZ is the high-performance Beretta. It was produced from 1990-1993. It came standard with Oldsmobile's 2.3 L High Output Quad 4 I4, which produced 180 hp (134 kW) and 160 ft·lbf (217 N·m) of torque. Also standard was a Getrag 5-speed manual transmission and GM's FE7 performance suspension.
The car posted a 0-to-60 mph time of 7.6 seconds and one of the fastest slalom speeds of any front wheel drive car tested, even besting the rear wheel drive Chevrolet Camaro. Motor Trend's only complaint was the Quad 4's NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) and noted it was one of the most raucous engines of its time. Beginning in 1991 the 3.1 L V6 could be had as an option on the GTZ, but it was only available with a 3-speed automatic transmission that reduced the 0-to-60 mph time to around 9.0 seconds. The 3.1 L V6 was standard on 1990-1992 GT models and optional for all base models and GTs in 1993. Starting in the 1994 model year the 3.1 L V6 could only be ordered with an automatic transmission.
The 1991 model year saw major interior updates, including a new dashboard/center console and the addition of a driver's side airbag.
In 1994, the GT and GTZ were replaced by the Beretta Z26, which put it squarely between the Cavalier Z24 and Camaro Z28 in Chevrolet's lineup. The 3.1 L V6 was redesigned and became the 3100 V6 and gained 20 hp at 160. The new 3100 V6 was only available with a new 4 speed Automatic transmission. The Quad 4 HO lost a total 10 hp (7 kW) in 1994, its last year of production. The 2.3 L Quad 4 was only available with a 5-speed manual transmission. In 1995 the 3100 V6 lost 5 hp at 155, which also carried on to the 1996 model.
General Motors was sued by Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta for trademark infringement over the naming of the Beretta. The suit was settled out-of-court in 1989; GM and Beretta exchanged symbolic gifts: a Beretta GTU coupe and a pair of Beretta shotguns. GM donated US$500,000 to a Beretta-sponsored charity which was also affiliated with the GM Cancer Research Foundation.
Beretta's sales steadily declined every year of production as the market turned away from two-door models. In 1996, Chevrolet ended production of both the Beretta and Corsica after 10 model years. The Corsica was replaced by the Chevrolet Malibu in 1997.
[edit] Models
- 1987-1996 base/CL
- 1988-1993 GT
- 1988-1989 GTU
- 1990 Indy
- 1990-1993 GTZ
- 1994-1996 Z26
[edit] Gallery
 1990 Chevrolet Beretta Indianapolis 500 pace car replica |
 1996 Chevrolet Beretta Z26 |
 1996 Chevrolet Beretta Z26 |
[edit] Trivia
-The Hornet car from Daytona USA game is based on a Chevrolet Beretta.
-The Beretta was used in the VGA remake of Police Quest where a Beretta was driven by a drunk driver that the main protagonist stopped.
-The Beretta was used in a short chase scene in the 2004 movie, Unstoppable.
-The famous Italian arms firm Beretta objected to the unauthorized use of their name.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Chevrolet Beretta |
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