1999 Daewoo Espero Pictures

The Daewoo Espero (also known as Aranos) is a mid-size car produced by the South Korean company Daewoo Motors from 1990 to 1997. It was technically based on the GM J platform and had the distinction of a body designed by Bertone. It bore more than a passing resemblance to the Citroen Xantia, that Bertone had also designed. The car was equipped with the Daewoo Family 1 1.5L engine, or the 1.8 or 2.0L Family II engine from Holden. The Espero was replaced by the Daewoo Leganza in 1997.

The Espero was renamed to Aranos in some Spanish-speaking countries (not in Chile, for instance.), since the word Espero means I wait in Spanish. Such a name was deemed inadequate.

UK imports began in January 1995 when it was one of two cars (the other being the Nexia) in the first British Daewoo range. It sold well in the UK, but its competitive asking price, impressive equipment levels and the comprehensive aftersales package were about the only strengths the car had in comparison with other rivals. After all, it was little more than a re-hashed MK2 Vauxhall Cavalier. The Espero was launched just months before the MK3 Cavalier was discontinued and the Vectra introduced.