Opel · 1984–1998

Opel Kadett E

The Opel Kadett E was introduced in August 1984 as the sixth generation of the Opel Kadett, and was voted the 1985 European Car of the Year. As with its predecessor, it was sold as the Vauxhall Astra in the United Kingdom. This model was also developed into a more conventional three-box design with a boot (trunk), badged as the Vauxhall Belmont in the United Kingdom, launched at Frankfurt Motor Show in 1985. There was an estate car called the "Caravan", available with either three or five doors. In South Africa, the Kadett notchback was sold as the Opel Monza, along with a convertible. This replaced the Opel Ascona.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Opel Kadett D · Successor: Opel Astra F

All Opel Kadett E data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Design

The car was noted for its advanced aerodynamics and distinctive "teardrop" shape—mirroring the trend in the mid 1980s for swooping aerodynamic styling—with the front end styling taken directly from the Opel Tech 1 concept car of 1981, although some styling cues from the Kadett D were retained for continuity such as its 'Kamm tail' and oversized C-pillar extraction vent. The hatchback had a drag coefficient of Cd=0.32; the less efficiently shaped three-box sedan still lost very little of the aerodynamics with Cd=0.33. A convertible version was also available, for the first time in 1987, built by Bertone of Torino, Italy, bringing it to line with competitors, such as the Ford Escort and Volkswagen Golf. For the 1988 model, capacities were raised from 1.3 to 1.4 litres. In the fall of 1986 a new 1,998 cc engine replaced the 1.8 hitherto used on the GSi and Vauxhall Astra GTE in many markets, although the uncatalyzed 1.8 continued to be built for some places until the end of production in 1991. In 1988, a 16-valve twin-cam version was developed for a high-performance GSi/GTE model (the first application of the 20XE "Red Top" engine), yielding 156 PS (115 kW) in non-catalyzed form, six less horsepower with a catalytic converter fitted. While criticized for a lack of refinement, the GSi 16V was also lauded as the most powerful car available in its class at the time. Aside from the "16V" badging, it could be told from an eight-valve GSi by its twin rectangular exhaust pipes. The Kadett E was a grey import in the United Kingdom, but not popular compared to its badge engineered sister, the Vauxhall Astra Mk II. It was never officially sold in Britain, and by 1989, General Motors was only marketing the Vauxhall brand in the United Kingdom, although Astras assembled at Vauxhall's

Other markets

=== South Africa === In the early 1990s, South African Kadett GSi 16v's were further upgraded based on their success in production car racing and 500 special units were built as road cars for homologation purposes. This was a minimum requirement for entry into the Stannic Group N races. They went against BMW's 325iS (A 2.7 L Alpina homologation special from BMW). They featured more aggressive 276-degree camshafts made by Schrick with 2 different settings for timing overlap (110° and 107°), revised intake and exhaust modifications (4-in-1 branch manifold and freeflow exhaust that eliminated the possibility of air conditioning), Irmscher spring kit, modified engine management system by Promotec, a limited-slip differential developed by Andre Verwey, F20 short ratio transmission and special Aluett 7Jx15-inch ET35 alloy wheels, they were nicknamed the "Superboss" and held the world record for the most torque per litre (114 Nm per litre) for a naturally aspirated production car until being beaten by the Ferrari 458 (117 Nm per litre) in 2009. Chevrolet Kadett. In Brazil, the Kadett E was branded as a Chevrolet and succeeded some versions of the Chevette, with the estate version called the Ipanema. The latter had three doors until the 1993 model year when five doors became mandatory. The hatchback was only available with three doors, and the saloon was never offered. Brazilian production of the hatchback commenced in April 1989, with the Ipanema being added in September. The original Opel Kadett E had been introduced late in 1984, and after it had received a facelift for 1989 the old style was adopted for Brazil. While the Ipanema clearly succeeded the Chevette-based Marajó estate, production of the Chevette (by now in saloon form only, the hatchback having been discontinued

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

Specifications

name: Kadett E
aka: Opel Astra (East Africa; GMEA), Opel/Vauxhall Cabrio (1991–1993), Opel Monza (RSA), Chevrolet Kadett (hatchback; BRA), Chevrolet Ipanema (wagon; BRA), Daewoo LeMans/Racer/Cielo/Nexia (ROK), IDA Opel Kadett (YUG), Passport Optima (CAN), Pontiac LeMans (US and NZ), Vauxhall Astra (GB), Vauxhall Belmont (GB), Bedford Astra (GB), Bedford Astramax (GB)
Production: 1984–1998
Assembly: Antwerp, Belgium, Bochum, Germany, São José dos Campos, Brazil (Chevrolet), São Caetano do Sul, Brazil (Chevrolet), Azambuja, Portugal, Ellesmere Port, United Kingdom, Kikinda, Yugoslavia (IDA-Opel), Zaragoza, Spain, Port Elizabeth, South Africa (Delta Motor Corporation)
Class: Small family car (C)
Body style: 3- and 5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon, 3- and 5-door estate (Caravan), 2-door convertible
Layout: Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform: T-platform
Engine: petrol:, 1196 cc Opel OHV I4, 1297 cc Family 1 I4, 1396 cc Family 1 I4, 1598 cc Family 1 I4, 1598 cc Family II I4, 1796 cc Family II I4, 1998 cc Family II I4, diesel:, 1488 cc 4EC1 turbo I4, 1686 cc 4EE1 I4, 1699 cc Family II I4
Transmission: 4/5-speed manual, 3-speed GM THM125 automatic
Length: Hatchback & convertible: 3998 mm, Saloon & Caravan: 4218 mm
Width: 1662 mm
Height: 1393 mm
Wheelbase: 2520 mm
Kerb weight: 850 –
Related: Opel Kadett Combo
Designer: Gordon M. Brown
Predecessor: Opel Kadett D
Successor: Opel Astra F

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/Q2025180CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opel_Kadett_ECC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1373780082 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Opel_Kadett_1987.pngCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Ellywa at Dutch Wikipedia · 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.