Daewoo Espero: Тарихы мен сипаттамасы

The Daewoo Espero (also known as Daewoo Aranos in Spain) is a four door, five seater mid sized saloon produced by the South Korean company Daewoo Motors from September 1990 to 1997. The Espero was the first car entirely developed by Daewoo, which until then had only manufactured models developed by Opel. With the body designed by Bertone, the model is based on the platform of the Daewoo LeMans, a badge engineered version of the Opel Kadett manufactured in South Korea. The engines were supplied by Holden, with options ranging from the GM Family 1 1.5L to the GM Family II 2.0L. The Espero was replaced by the Daewoo Nubira in 1997, but continued to be produced until 1999 in Eastern Europe.

In the mid 1980s, Daewoo Motors was looking to enter in the mid sized saloon market, which already had competitors like the Hyundai Sonata. To that end, it began developing a new model in 1986, codenamed "J Car" (not to be confused with General Motors' J Car, the company's worldwide car project from the 1980s). It then acquired from Bertone a body design previously discarded by Citroën, which would be used in the future successor of the Citroën BX. With access to General Motors technologies limited by contractual terms, Daewoo made extensive use of parts already being used on the Daewoo LeMans production. The steering, suspension, brakes and powertrain systems were the same as those used on the LeMans. The Espero debuted on the Korean market in August 1990. The Espero achieved very good results in the wind tunnel, at 0.29 Cd. It was said that the perfection was high but the performance and the range as an electric car was low.

+Espero DimensionsTrunk Capacity560 litresFuel Tank Capacity50 litresClimbing Angle29.5°

In Korea, the Espero made its debut in August 1990. The styling was very different from the European Espero's, including no badge at the front but at the rear and on the steering wheel; the badge was black and had white three waves and white writing 'ESPERO' underneath it. The first version had different rear lights which the brake and indicator lights extended to the boot lid (though there were no illuminating lights at the boot lid) and differently styled hubcaps. In the pre facelift, the range consisted of two models, named '1.5 DOHC' (being the base model) which had standard hubcaps and then the '2.0 SOHC' which had different styled hubcaps. The '2.0 SOHC' also had a version with package, being the top of the range model. In the cabin of the Korean Espero, a different steering wheel and an electronic dash was available with orange letters and accents. The steering wheel was slightly different from the three spoke wheels in Europe, and more like the steering wheel from an Opel Vectra A/Vauxhall Cavalier MK3 except that the badge was different (again, the black emblem). No airbag was available. The front door cards were different: rather than the wrap around design in European models, the vents were more square like and the grab handle was more ergonomic rather than just a pocket design. The centre console was flat and more angular. In late 1991, a facelift of the Espero was made. This included redesigned hubcaps (base model), a black badge saying 'ESPERO' at the rear, the rear lights were redesigned and now the black badge was put at the front. The boot opening was redesigned with a swivel badge over the keyhole to open the boot. This also meant the trim levels were revised, the base model being the 1.5 MPFi and the 2.0 MPFi (or with the package). In 1994, a second facelift was made with the front logo changed from the black badge to a separated oval, with the same on the steering wheel). A new model was introduced, the 1.8 MPFi (which had alloy wheels and a 1.8 engine). Production ended in 1997.

In 1993, (2 adverts) they compared spacecraft technology and used racing drivers to demonstrate how powerful the Espero was. In 1994, (second facelift) it was advertised that the Espero was available as the following models: 1.5 DOHC, 1.5 MPFi and the 2.0 SOHC.

In Thailand, the Espero made its debut in 1994, imported from South Korea.

European imports began in January 1995 when it was one of two cars (the other being the Nexia) in the first European Daewoo range. It sold well, thanks to its competitive asking price, notchback roofline with a steeply raked rear window, spacious interior, luggage compartment, impressive equipment levels and the comprehensive aftersales package. Despite the fact the Espero also featured couple of drawbacks as outdated interior design backing to the 80's, mediocre fuel economy and its body fairly prone to corrosion it still maintained popularity among price conscious drivers. The Espero was launched just months before the Vauxhall Cavalier (Opel Vectra A) was discontinued and the Vauxhall Vectra (Opel Vectra B), the Cavalier's replacement, was introduced. In all European markets, there were option stickers at the back of the window in white writing ('ABS' for example).

When Daewoo arrived in the UK at the beginning of 1995, Daewoo was aiming the Espero to the Cavalier and Mondeo market, plus providing good promotions and offers in the package. This included a 3 year/60,000 mile warranty (this could be extended to a 5 year/100,000 mile warranty for an extra £350), a six year anti corrosion warranty, 3 years free servicing, maintenance and AA membership (which looked after breakdowns or accidents). Every replacement of parts were free, except for tyres. If the car broke down, needed servicing or was in an accident, they would bring a courtesy car. Once the vehicle was fixed, they gave the vehicle back and collected the courtesy car (this was in the AA membership). Plus, there was free delivery number plates, one year free road tax and a full tank of petrol. There was also a free 'N' plate replacement for a free upgrade for the first 1,000 customers who bought a new Daewoo; it would then be replaced in August 1995. Daewoo also provided fixed prices (no haggling) and they claimed this was the best way of selling a car. From 23 December 1996, another promotion was added, three years' free insurance.

In the UK, the range consisted of three trim levels. The base model was the GLXi that had a 1.5 DOHC engine, GLXi emblems at the body wings and (some) boot, hubcaps, electric windows, ABS, power steering, drivers airbag, sunroof and radio/cassette. Air conditioning was a free option (before, air conditioning was an £880 option) so was automatic transmission from May 1996 onwards. Then, there was the CDi model which got a 1.8 litre SOHC engine for a step up, CDi emblems at the body wings and (some) '1.8 CDi' emblem at the boot though air conditioning was standard. Alloy wheels were optional for the CDi model. Finally, there was the CDXi which had a 2.0 litre SOHC engine, CDXi emblems at the body wings, (some) '2.0 CDXi' emblem at the boot lid, alloy wheels and a CD player as well. From May 1996, a six disc CD autochanger was standard on the 2.0 CDXi. All models got the same four spoke steering wheel. The Espero was also given an 'AUTOMATIC' badge at the boot lid for those which had an automatic transmission or (sometimes) a 'TWIN CAM 8v' badge on the 1.5 GLXi models. The dealer plates had the writing 'DAEWOO' in a black background with the phone number, a black line going through either side with the number plate ID under the number plate. In the UK, the Espero was not sold with a third brake light, a spoiler with a third brake light nor the three spoke steering wheel. When AA (Automobile Association) tested the Espero CDi in October 1995, they rated it high because of its aftersales package and equipment it provided but criticised because of its electrical issues and lacking some safety features. In conclusion, they claimed that it was like 'cash and carry groceries or 'flat pack furniture from a warehouse store' which meant it did the job as a decent family car but this lied to the fact that it was new at the time yet it was generously priced and equipped than anything else at the price. Plus, AA (Automobile Association) later did an extension test in a revamped Espero 1.8 CDi in July 1996 to see their experience with it. They had a few niggles with it but as time moved on it had less problems. Overall, they claimed that ride and fuel economy is reasonable. In the 1996 revamp (although pre facelifts were sold at the time), this included four shot washer jets rather than two shot ones, door mirrors fold flush with body flanks, indicator fenders revised, rear light housings in boot less vulnerable, gear lever surround modified and a better RDS radio. People were not sure what was the replacement for the Espero (though it was claimed to be the Leganza), but a new Daewoo range was added in September 1997 (Lanos, Nubira, Leganza) and in 1998 the Matiz. Despite this, the Espero was sold until December 1997 (late R reg examples).

One of the main reasons the Espero became so rare was because of an ABS control module which was not only difficult to replace but also very expensive when it was faulty. This led to many MOT failures so many owners got rid of their Esperos. Plus, there were many electrical problems (central locking, wiper, radio, light faults). Also, their resale value was very low so it depreciated rapidly as soon as their warranties ran out so these are considered worth little value. Spare parts were also quite difficult to find as they did not sell well in the first place and the fact that because the Korean economy was affected, so Daewoo could not provide much spare parts.

In Poland, there were only two models, GLX and CD. The base model 'GLX' came with a 1.5 litre DOHC engine, a three spoke steering wheel, electric windows, hubcaps, (some) a third brake light and a 'DOHC 16V' badge at the back (for colour reasons, the badge is black if the car is white and white if the car is in another colour). No airbags were available for the GLX model. The pricier 'CD' model came with a 1.8 SOHC or a 2.0 SOHC engine, a four spoke steering wheel with (some) a drivers airbag (though some still had a three spoke one), and (some) air conditioning. The Espero was praised however for its durability and long term reliability, so taxi drivers often used them. Production started in 1996. Very shortly there was a facelift at the same year (revised door mirrors and indicator fenders). Poland was the only country that offered the Espero the longest in production which ended in December 1999. In 2000 the last copies could be purchased from the showrooms. No wonder that interest in Espero has fallen, since Nubira was extremely popular in Poland and the Nubira II was announced in 2000.

When Auto Świat tested the Espero 2.0 CD back in January 1996, they claimed that it was decent to drive, spacious and had an outdated 80's interior design. In their conclusion its far eastern competitors were doing a better job (Nissan Primera, Mazda 626) and the fact that 'attractive prices and rich furnishings will convince them of the "Korean" and these are not the worst argument these days.'

The Espero was marketed as 'Aranos' because the word 'Espero' translated to 'I hope' or 'I wait'. Production started in 1995. There were two trim levels, 'GLX' and 'CDX'. The GLX was the base model which had a 1.5 DOHC engine with all other extras (power windows, power mirrors, hubcaps, (some) 'DOHC 16V' badge). Then there was the CDX which was available with either a 1.8 or a 2.0 SOHC engine. Other equipment included air conditioning. A spoiler with a third brake light and different type alloy wheels were optional. A facelift was introduced in 1996, including revamped door mirrors and indicator fenders.

When Daewoo first came in Australia, they used the slogan in their advert, "The Daewoo Espero. Beware of expensive imitations". They claimed the boot was bigger than the Commodore and the Falcon and they also provided promotions which included a (whichever came first) 3 year/100,000 km warranty. The starting price was from $23,750.

In Australia it was sold from 1995 to 1997 before it was claimed to be replaced by the Leganza. Throughout its production, it was only powered by one engine, the 2.0 litre GM Family II engine. This engine was Australian built and was exported to other countries for assembly. There was also only one trim level, it was called the 'CD'. It was well equipped, this included all round electric windows and electric mirrors, a five speed manual gearbox, air conditioning, power steering, remote trunk release and an AM/FM stereo radio with a CD player. There was also 'ESPERO 2.0i' emblems in white at the side skirts for the rear doors which no other markets have. The only optional items were a four speed automatic transmission with overdrive and ABS/Airbag (combined safety option). The steering wheel was a three spoke design which was included for other markets (see Poland section) and the automatic transmission lever and writings had a different design as well. In 1996, there was a facelift which included revamped wing mirrors and indicator fenders.

In Top Gear 1997, the Espero was placed 39th out of 120 in an 'N' registration JD power survey. This was due to the fact that it had too many electrical and miscellaneous problems. Also, Top Gear tested out both Nexia and Espero models to see the experience of how they fared against its rivals. They said the way the Espero drove was 'pretty dull and undynamic' because it had ancient Vauxhall Cavalier mechanicals however reliability was reasonable, the resale value was average and according to the people's experience they were well warrantied, reliable and a manufacturer who cared more than most.