Chevrolet · 1987–1996

Chevrolet Beretta

The Chevrolet Beretta is a coupé that was produced by Chevrolet from 1987 until 1996. Alongside the four-door Chevrolet Corsica, the Beretta served as the successor to the Chevrolet Citation. Slotted between the Cavalier and Lumina/Monte Carlo coupes, the Beretta was distinguished by its vertical door handles mounted on the B-pillar, a design feature later used by the Chevrolet Lumina coupe and its GM W-body counterparts. The Beretta shared the front-wheel drive GM L platform with the Corsica; replacing the X-body platform, the L-body was designed by Chevrolet, with the rest of General Motors using the Oldsmobile-designed N-body. The body was designed in the same design studio as the contemporary Camaro and Corvette. For 1990, a Beretta convertible conversion was selected as the Indianapolis 500 pace car; though a replica was initially considered as a convertible, the production replica was offered as a coupe. During its production, the Beretta was assembled alongside the Corsica and Pontiac Tempest sedans (the latter sold only in Canada) in GM facilities in Wilmington, Delaware, and Linden, New Jersey.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Chevrolet Celebrity|Chevrolet Citation · Successor: Chevrolet Malibu

All Chevrolet Beretta data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Models and changes

Base model Berettas were equipped with the same powertrain as the Chevrolet Cavalier, the 2.2 L OHV 4-cylinder engine and the 3-speed automatic transmission by default, or the 60-degree V6. A 5-speed manual was available only by special order if paired with the 2.2 L OHV, however very few special orders ever took place, and the 3-speed automatic was the default option. The GT included a 125 hp 2.8-liter V6, which grew to a 3.1 L in 1990, and the Z51 suspension package (1988 only) with 15-inch styled steel wheels and Goodyear Eagle GT tires. Also included was a sport cloth interior and sport steering wheel. The Beretta GTU was available for 1988 and 1989. Beretta GTs (with the FE3 suspension package) were shipped to Cars and Concepts where they were equipped with 16x7-inch aluminum alloy wheels, custom ground effects, a unique rear spoiler, mirrors and GTU decals to create the Beretta GTU. With the FE3 suspension package and Z51 RPO, Chevrolet claimed the 1988 Beretta GTU would deliver 0.92 g on the skid pad. GTUs were only available in black, red and white. The GTZ, which replaced the GTU, took over as the high-performance version of the Beretta. It was produced from 1990 until 1993. It came standard with Oldsmobile's 2.3-liter, high output Quad 4 inline-four, which produced 180 hp (134 kW) and 160 lb⋅ft (217 N⋅m) of torque, giving it a 0–60 mph time of 7.6 seconds. Also standard was a Getrag 5-speed manual transmission and GM's FE7 performance suspension. Motor Trend's only complaint was the Quad 4's noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) 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 increased the 0-to-60 mph time to

Motorsport

A Chevrolet Beretta, fitted with a splayed valve, 4.5 liter 90-degree V6 engine, won the Trans Am Series championship in 1990.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Chevrolet Beretta
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Production: 1987–1996
Model years: 1987–1996
Class: Sport compact (C)
Body style: 2-door coupe
Transmission: 3-speed 3T40 automatic, 4-speed 4T60-E automatic, 5-speed Getrag 282 manual
Layout: Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform: L-body
Related: Chevrolet Corsica, Pontiac Tempest
Successor: Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Predecessor: Chevrolet Citation coupe, Chevrolet Celebrity coupe
Wheelbase: 103.4 in
Assembly: United States: Wilmington, Delaware, United States: Linden, New Jersey
Length: 187.2 in
Width: 1988–1990: 68.2 in, 1991–1996: 67.9 in
Height: 1988–1990: 55.3 in, 1991–1996: 53.2 in
Engine: 2.0 L LL8 OHV I4, 2.2 L LM3/LN2 OHV I4, 2.3 L LG0 DOHC 16V I4, 2.8 L LB6 OHV V6, 3.1 L LH0 OHV V6, 3.1 L L82 OHV V6
Designer: Jerry Palmer

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1071042CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_BerettaCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1364873322 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chev_Beretta.jpgPublic domain · Photo: Bull-Doser · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.