Automatic Chevette: The pioneer without a clutch

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O Chevette was one of the biggest hits of Chevrolet in Brazil during the 70s, 80s and 90s, gaining a loyal fan base for its robustness, comfort It is performance. However, its greatest innovation milestone occurred in 1985, when Chevrolet decided to launch the automatic version of the model, offering for the first time in Brazil a national compact without clutch pedal. The Automatic Chevette was not only a milestone in history of Chevrolet, but it also changed the way Brazilians viewed urban mobility. In this article, we will analyze in detail the trajectory of the Chevette Automatic, from its creation to the legacy it left for the Brazilian automotive industry.

The Launch of the Chevette

In 1973, The Chevrolet launched in Brazil the fourth generation Opel Kadett, which was renamed as Chevette to distance itself from possible associations with the military regime. The model, which was already successful in Europe, arrived in Brazil with a engine 1.4 that delivered 68 hp of power and 9.8 kgfm of torque, impressive numbers for the time. Its acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in 19.1 seconds and a maximum speed of 140.2 km/h placed it as one of the main competitors in the national market, alongside models such as the VW Brasilia, Dodge 1800 It is Ford Corcel.

A rear wheel drive The Chevette's performance was one of the factors that contributed to its success, making it a popular choice among those who needed a car that performed well on uneven surfaces or in classic street maneuvers. The robustness and comfort were visible in the model, which, over time, received several restylings and new engines, such as the 1.6, which improved the Chevette's performance, allowing the model to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 17.64 seconds and reached 149.377 km/h.

The Introduction of Automatic Transmission

Credits: Reproduction

In 1985, the Chevette now has a new feature that would put it ahead of many other models of the time: the automatic transmission 3-speed. Before this, this technology was only available in cars medium or large size, like the Ford Del Rey, VW Santana and Opal, from Chevrolet itself. The Chevette was the first national compact model to offer this option, which represented a great innovation for the Brazilian market.

A automatic transmission was one of the great advantages of the Chevette over its competitors, because, unlike manual models, which required coordination between clutch, brake It is accelerator, the automatic Chevette allowed the driver to control acceleration with just his right foot. This innovation not only made driving the vehicle more comfortable and practical, but also gave it a touch of status, because, at the time, it was considered a great technological advance.

The Automatic Chevette in Practice

Credits: Reproduction

The Chevette's automatic transmission was quite simple and easy to operate. The gear lever had the same shape as the manual versions, but with some modifications to suit the new system. The lever positions included P (Park), R (Reverse), N (Neutral), D (Drive), 2 It is 1 (which limited the car to first or second gear). Although it only had 3 gears, the automatic transmission offered considerable performance, with accelerations almost as fast as the manual versions.

For example, the automatic Chevette could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 17.66 seconds, and reached a maximum speed of 147.54 km/h, quite satisfactory numbers for a compact model of the time. Of course, the price of convenience was the fuel consumption, which, with the ethanol, was in 6.9 km/l in the city and 10.66 km/l on the road. Compared to the manual models, the automatic Chevette had a slightly lower performance in terms of fuel economy, but in return, it offered a level of comfort which was not common in compact cars of the time.

Another positive point of the automatic transmission was the softness in gear changes. Even during the most vigorous acceleration, the automatic Chevette did not present any jolts or discomfort for the driver. The smoothness in gear changes also helped in stability It is comfort when driving, which led to the automatic Chevette being widely praised.

The Impact of the Automatic Chevette on the Market

Credits: Reproduction

The introduction of the Chevette with automatic transmission marked the evolution of the car market in Brazil, especially with regard to comfort It is technology. With the growing popularity of models with automatic transmission, the Chevette helped to consolidate the idea that automatic technology was not exclusive to large or luxury cars, but could also be applied to cars compacts.

Although the price of automatic Chevette was considerably higher than the manual versions (about R$ 14,162.49, in current values), demand for this model was strong, with many drivers seeking the comfort additional that the automatic transmission provided, especially in a country with so many climbs It is traffic jams.

The automatic Chevette continued to be sold until the end of the model's production, in 1993, and Chevrolet kept the automatic transmission option in other models such as the Kadett, Corsa Sedan It is Monza. This legacy of bringing automatic transmission to cars national compacts was a milestone for the Brazilian automobile industry.

The Evolution of Automatic Transmission in Brazil

Credits: Reproduction

After the launch of the Automatic Chevette, the automatic transmission began to become popular in an ever-increasing range of vehicles. What was an innovation exclusive to medium and large cars was gradually incorporated into models compacts It is subcompacts. Today, it is unthinkable to imagine a modern car without at least one version with automatic transmission or CVT.

Chevrolet was a pioneer in bringing this technology to the Brazilian public and, with the Chevette, helped change the course of the automobile industry in the country. Nowadays, it is possible to find compact cars with automatic transmission in practically all car manufacturers, with a level of sophistication and comfort that, in the 80s, seemed impossible to achieve.

The Legacy of the Automatic Chevette

Credits: Reproduction

The Chevette Automatic may even seem like an outdated car if we analyze it in light of current technology. But, if you consider the context of the time, you will realize that it was a milestone of innovation, bringing Brazilians a automatic transmission accessible in a compact car. More than just a Chevrolet model, the Chevette Automatic represented the modernization and the evolution of the national automobile industry, showing that Brazil was ready to embrace the new technologies that were arriving on the market.

Nowadays, it is difficult to find an automatic Chevette still circulating on Brazilian streets, but the model's legacy lives on. The car has become a symbol of comfort It is innovation of the 80s and will certainly be marked in history as the first national compact to break the barriers of clutch and bring the automatic transmission for the daily lives of Brazilians.

Credits: Reproduction

The Chevette Automatic made history and, with that, paved the way for what would come later, contributing to the popularization of automatic cars at a time when the Brazilian automobile market was still in its infancy in terms of technology It is sophistication. He certainly deserves to be remembered as a icon the evolution of automobiles in Brazil.

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