The
Daewoo Espero (also known as
Daewoo Aranos in some Spanish-speaking countries) 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
Citroën Xantia, itself also a Bertone design. The car was equipped with
Holden-built
GM Family 1 1.5 L engine, or the 1.8 or 2.0 L
Family II engine. The Espero was replaced by the
Daewoo Leganza in 1997.
The Espero was renamed Aranos in some but not all Spanish-speaking countries (not in Chile for instance), since the word Espero means I wait in Spanish. Such a name was deemed less than marketable.
In Australia it was sold from 1995 to 1996 before it was replaced in 1997 by the Leganza. It was powered by the 2.0 litre GM Family II engine and was available with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic.
The Espero's 2.0 litre engine was built in Australia and exported to other countries for assembly.
The UK market
UK imports began in January 1995 when it was one of two cars (the other being the
Nexia) in the first British Daewoo range. The Nexia is based on the Astra Mk2 and the Espero is based on the Cavalier Mk2 (GM's J-Type Platform). It sold well in the UK, thanks to its competitive asking price, impressive equipment levels and the comprehensive aftersales package. The Espero was launched just months before the
Vauxhall Cavalier MK3 was discontinued and the
Vauxhall Vectra, the Cavalier's replacement, was introduced.
References
Espero
Category:Mid-size cars
Category:Front wheel drive vehicles
Category:Vehicles introduced in 1990
