Daewoo Lacetti

The Daewoo Lacetti is a compact car made by the South Korean automaker GM Daewoo. It is available as a four-door sedan, a five-door hatchback or a five-door station wagon.

The sedan and wagon are designed by Pininfarina, and the hatchback by Giorgetto Giugiaro, and launched in 2002. The hatchback, known as Lacetti-5 in Korea, was introduced in summer 2003. A second generation version, which was a facelift of the original was released in 2006.

Markets

Australia/New Zealand

In Australia and New Zealand, the Daewoo Lacetti was briefly sold between 2003 and 2004 as a four-door sedan. During the 'Asian Economic Crisis', Daewoo became technically insolvent and the company withdrew from the Australian market.

From 2005, the Lacetti (sedan and wagon) and Lacetti 5 were sold together as the Holden Viva. In fact, other than the Chevrolet Viva for the Russian market (which is little more than a Russified Opel Astra B), this model marked the first time that the "Viva" name was used on a GM vehicle since the Vauxhall Viva was discontinued. It was introduced at around the same time as the Daewoo Kalos-based Holden Barina. Unlike the current Barina, however, the Viva is meant to be below the premium Holden Astra as a budget alternative.

Despite the Viva's lower price compared to the Astra (AUD$17,990 compared to AUD$21,990), the Astra outsells the Viva by a factor of about two-to-one .

Canada

The Lacetti was available in Canada as the Chrevrolet Optra in two models, a four door hatchback (the Optra5), and an Optra Wagon, all in LS or LT trim levels. The sedan was available in 2004 and 2005, but was removed in 2006. All are powered by the 2.0L inline-4 engine, rated at 119hp (89kW) at 5400rpmand 126ft·lbf (171N·m) of torque at 4000 rpm, driving the front wheels through either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic. The car was positioned as a versatile and fun to drive but affordable budget compact family car. Brakes are disc, front and rear. The Optra slotted between the Cobalt and the Aveo, and it replaced the Daewoo Nubira.