Chevrolet Corsica
| Chevrolet Corsica | |
|---|---|
| 1994 Chevrolet Corsica | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Production | 1987–1996 |
| Assembly | Wilmington, Delaware Linden, New Jersey |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size |
| Body style | 4-door sedan 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | GM L platform |
| Related | Chevrolet Beretta Pontiac Tempest |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.0 L OHV I4 2.2 L OHV I4 2.8 L LB6 V6 3.1 L Gen II V6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 103.4 in |
| Length | 183.4 in |
| Width | 68.2 in |
| Height | 53.8 in |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Chevrolet Citation |
| Successor | Chevrolet Malibu |
The Chevrolet Corsica is a front-wheel drive mid-sized* automobile that was produced by General Motors from 1987 to 1996. The Corsica was built upon the L-body platform which was developed (along with the N-body). It shared the L-body with the 2-door Beretta, and the rebadged revival of the Pontiac Tempest which was essentially the same car sold in Canada. The Corsica came in two styles and four trims. Sold only as a 4-door sedan, it was also available as a 5-door hatchback from 1989 to 1991. Corsicas were built alongside the Beretta in both Wilmington, Delaware and Linden, New Jersey.
Year-to-year changes
1987-1989
The Corsica was first sold to rental agencies and to large companies in 1987, prior to mainstream release. The Corsica and Beretta were the second best-selling cars in America in 1988. The base Corsica's door handles were colored silver, while the Corsica LT/LTZ had black-colored handles. The hatchback was introduced for 1989, as was an LTZ performance package that included many suspension parts from the Beretta. The XT trim was an even more rare and little remembered offering on certain years, which included all the performance parts from the LTZ trim as well as a leather interior and a special body kit and spoiler package designed for GM by a third party supplier.
1990
The base Corsica was dropped leaving the LT and LTZ. Both engines offered were increased in displacement.* Minor changes were made to the interior, mostly around the driver controls.
1991
Hatchback body style was dropped after 1991 model. The Corsica received an extensively updated interior with a standard driver's side airbag and cup holders. Front seatbelts were moved from the doors to the B-pillars.
1992
The only trim level was the LT.
1994
The exterior was refreshed for 1994 and the LT model took the place of the base model once again.
The 3.1 liter with the OBD-I was replaced with the updated 3100 series engine and a new updated OBD system.* The new OBD system was not compatible with either OBD-I or OBD-II but included features found in both systems. Also the 3 speed automatic transmission was replaced with a 4 speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. Front seatbelts were moved from the B-pillars to the doors.
1995
The Corsica became the first American car to be equipped with daytime running lights standard. Also a new Corsica logo was introduced along with other minor cosmetic exterior changes.
1996
The Corsica was converted fully to OBD-II.
GM discontinued the Corsica and the Chevrolet Beretta after the 1996 model year. The Corsica was replaced by the Chevrolet Malibu in 1997.
Engines
- 1987-1989 2.8 L (173 in³) LB6 V6
- 1987-1989 2.0 L (122 in³) OHV I4
- 1990-1996 2.2 L (134 in³) OHV I4
- 1990-1996 3.1 L (189 in³) Gen II V6
Notes:
- While the Beretta had all engine and transmission options available on the Corsica, the Corsica was only available with OHV engines.
- Both the 2.8 L V6 and 2.0 L I4 received a longer stroke crankshaft in the 1990 model year, respectively increasing their displacements to 3.1 L and 2.2 L.
- In the 1994 model year, sequential fuel injection replaced throttle-body injection on the I4 and MPFI on the V6 models. The updated OBD system is sometimes referred to as OBD 1.5.