Daewoo LeMans
| Daewoo LeMans | |
|---|---|
 1994–1995 Daewoo 1.5i sedan (Australia). | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Daewoo Motors |
| Production | 1986–1997 |
| Assembly | Bupyeong-gu, South Korea |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Subcompact |
| Body style | 3-door hatchback 4-door sedan 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | GM T platform |
| Related | Opel Kadett E |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Daewoo Maepsy |
| Successor | Daewoo Lanos Daewoo Nubira |
The Daewoo LeMans is a subcompact car manufactured by Daewoo Motors in South Korea between 1986 and 1994, replaced by the facelifted Daewoo Cielo—a car mechanically identical to the LeMans, differentiated only by its modified styling cues. The Cielo was subsequently replaced by the subcompact Daewoo Lanos and compact Nubira in 1997.
Like all Daewoos preceding it, the LeMans took its underpinnings from a European Opel design. In the case of the LeMans, the GM T platform-based Opel Kadett E was the donor vehicle—badge engineered in the form of the LeMans, and later the facelifted Cielo. In markets outside of South Korea, the car bore the Asüna GT, Asüna SE, Daewoo 1.5i, Daewoo Fantasy, Daewoo Pointer, Daewoo Racer, Passport Optima and Pontiac LeMans names. The facelifted Daewoo Cielo in five-door hatchback form was exported to Europe as the Daewoo Nexia with the four-door sedan holding Daewoo Racer name. The Daewoo Heaven name was also used, although the "LeMans" nameplate was not used at all for the facelifted model.
First generation (1986–1994)
| First generation | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Asüna GT (Canada 1991–1993 hatchback) Asüna SE (Canada 1991–1993 sedan) Daewoo 1.5i (Australia) Daewoo Fantasy (Thailand) Daewoo Racer Daewoo Pointer Passport Optima (Canada 1989–1991) Pontiac LeMans |
| Production | 1986–1992 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.5 L I4 1.6 L I4 2.0 L I4 |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Pontiac T-1000 Pontiac Acadian Pontiac Firefly (Canada for 1992) Pontiac Sunburst (Canada) |
| Successor | Pontiac Firefly (Canada) |
The first generation Daewoo LeMans was available as a three-door hatchback and a four-door sedan when introduced in 1986. Sales of the LeMans began in 1988 in North America where it was sold as the Pontiac LeMans.
In 1989 more models were released including a sportier Pontiac LeMans GSE based on the Opel Kadett GSi, with a 96 hp (72 kW) 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine. The GSE was available in a monochromatic paint scheme in red, white or silver with 14 inch alloy wheels, fog lights and a rear spoiler. The GSE also had the Recaro-style seats of the Kadett. A Pontiac LeMans SE sedan with upgraded equipment from the base and LE models also had the 96 hp (72 kW) 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine, also used in the Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunbird. In North America, poor quality tarnished sales and the Pontiac LeMans and Asüna SE/GT were discontinued after 1993 with no replacement. Later that year, the Asüna brand was discontinued altogether.
The five-door hatchback body style was known as the Daewoo LeMans Penta5 in South Korea.
Second generation (1994–1997)
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Daewoo Cielo Daewoo Heaven Daewoo Nexia Daewoo Racer Daewoo Super Racer |
| Production | 1994–1997 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.5 L I4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic 3-speed automatic |
The second generation LeMans launched in 1994, available as a three- and five-door hatchback and four-door sedan with a 1.5 litre eight-valve or a 1.5 litre 16-valve engine. These new models were still based on the Opel Kadett E, underpinned by the "T-car" platform. There were various trim levels available; in the United Kingdom these were GLi (eight-valve) and GLXi (16-valve) for the general public, with a "base" model available for large contracts, one notable buyer being the Scottish NHS. Unlike the Kadett, there was never a station wagon version available. European markets got the "Lifestyle" trim level; Spain and Portugal badged their GLi/GLXi equivalents "Chess"; the Benelux countries kept the GLi/GLXi trim levels. The GLi has an average performance with a 0-100 km/h time of 11.3 seconds and 85 hp (63 kW). However, the GLXi upped the power to 90 hp (67 kW) and the 0-100 km/h time was reduced to 10.5 seconds. UzDaewooAuto still manufactures the Nexia(Cielo).
