Cavalier Hatchback
The original three-door Cavalier used a low sloping rear roof and a large hatch. Unlike the notchback coupe, its rear opening lifted with the glass to give access to the luggage area.
Selected generation models, including overseas specifications
Vehicle details
Cavalier was Chevrolet’s compact front-wheel-drive passenger car introduced in spring 1981. The original three-door Cavalier used a low sloping rear roof and a large hatch. Unlike the notchback coupe, its rear opening lifted with the glass to give access to the luggage area. A transverse front engine drove the front wheels, helping package room for five within compact exterior dimensions. The base 1.8-liter four-cylinder in the 1982 model used a two-barrel carburetor and a four-speed manual, with an automatic also available. The range of bodies served personal commuting, small-family transport and cargo-focused wagon use. This was the starting point of a name that became central to Chevrolet’s compact-car lineup.
- Production years
- 1981–
- Illustrated model year
- 1982
- Body
- Hatchback
- Powertrain
- Petrol
1.8 L inline-four manual · 1982 US
- Development / body code
- 1JE77
- Powertrain
- Petrol
- Displacement
- 1841 cc
- Length
- 4406 mm
- Width
- 1677 mm
- Height
- 1317 mm (EPA loaded vehicle weight)
- Wheelbase
- 2571 mm
- Engine
- L46 transverse inline-four, two-barrel carburetor
- Maximum power (SAE net)
- 88 bhp @ 5100 rpm
- Maximum torque (SAE net)
- 135.6 Nm @ 2800 rpm
- Transmission
- 4-speed manual
- Drivetrain
- Front-wheel drive
- Seating capacity
- 5
- Compression ratio
- 9.0:1