Chevrolet Chevette

Chevrolet Chevette generations: what actually changed

Torque (Nm) is not measured on every row. Bore × stroke is filled for 1.3 (75 × 75) and 1.8 (84 × 82); for 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT it is not measured. Valves per cylinder: 2 on 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT; not measured on the four Gasoline versions.

1 generation (1975-01-01–1987-12-31) is the whole story: one body, six versions. Restyling is not a separate generation here. What changes between cards is engine size, fuel, power, and whether the box is Manual 5 or Automatic 3. Chassis figures that are filled in do not change.

Chevrolet Chevette specs: six versions side by side

Torque (Nm) is not measured on every row. Bore × stroke is filled for 1.3 (75 × 75) and 1.8 (84 × 82); for 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT it is not measured. Valves per cylinder: 2 on 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT; not measured on the four Gasoline versions.

Chevrolet Chevette engine: horsepower, 1.6, diesel, power per litre

Gasoline 1.3 vs Gasoline 1.6. 1.6 MT / 1.6 AT add 259 cm³ over 1.3 MT / 1.3 AT (1584 − 1325) and 17 hp (75 − 58), which is 12 kW (55 − 43). That is +29% power on +20% displacement. Specific output: 58 / 1.325 ≈ 43.8 hp per litre on the 1.3; 75 / 1.584 ≈ 47.3 hp per litre on the 1.6. The extra capacity is the more efficient of the two Gasoline engines on these figures. If the question is “Chevrolet Chevette 1.6 engine vs 1.3,” the 1.6 is the stronger Gasoline choice by 17 hp.

Diesel 1.8 vs both Gasoline engines. 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT have the largest engine (1817) and the lowest power (51 hp / 38 kW). Versus 1.3: +492 cm³ and −7 hp. Versus 1.6: +233 cm³ and −24 hp (32% less than 75). Specific output: 51 / 1.817 ≈ 28.1 hp per litre — well below both Gasoline rows. The diesel is not the “bigger therefore stronger” pick. It is the Diesel pick: fuel labelled Diesel, 2 valves per cylinder, 84 × 82 bore × stroke.

Same name, same power — split only by gearbox. There are no twin names that differ in horsepower. 1.3 MT and 1.3 AT both 58 hp. 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT both 75 hp. 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT both 51 hp. The only split inside each pair is Manual 5 versus Automatic 3.

Manual 5 vs Automatic 3: what the extra gears buy

On this dataset the automatic never adds power. 1.3 AT is the same 58 hp / 1325 Gasoline as 1.3 MT. 1.6 AT is the same 75 hp / 1584 as 1.6 MT. 1.8 AT is the same 51 hp / 1817 Diesel as 1.8 MT.

What you trade: 2 fewer gears (3 instead of 5). 0–100, top speed, and mpg for AT vs MT are not measured, so you cannot claim the automatic is slower or thirstier from these cards. You can say: if you want the highest listed power, take 1.6 MT or 1.6 AT; if you want five gears, take an MT row.

Chevrolet Chevette mpg, weight, dimensions — not a way to choose

People search mpg, gas mileage, 1980 mpg, weight, 1978/1980 weight, dimensions, wheelbase, tank. In this catalogue those fields are empty on all six versions:

• 0–100: not measured
• Top speed: not measured
• City / highway / combined consumption: not measured
• CO₂ and eco class: not measured
• Kerb weight and gross weight: not measured (so weight per horsepower cannot be calculated)
• Tank: not measured
• Wheels: not measured
• Ground clearance: 120 mm on every version — not a differentiator

Reliability, reviews, engine-swap lore, Monza comparisons, orange paint, original emblems, scooters, and “for sale” listings are not in this dataset. Do not treat them as measured here.

Which Chevrolet Chevette version to buy

Want the most horsepower in the catalogue: 1.6 MT or 1.6 AT — 75 hp / 55 kW, 1584, Gasoline, 4 Inline, No boost, RWD. That is 17 hp more than either 1.3, and 24 hp more than either 1.8. Best specific output of the three engines (≈ 47.3 hp/L).

Want five gears with that power: 1.6 MT (Manual, 5). Want three-speed Automatic with that power: 1.6 AT.

Want the smaller Gasoline engine: 1.3 MT or 1.3 AT — 58 hp / 43 kW, 1325, 75 × 75. You give up 17 hp and 259 cm³ versus the 1.6. 1.3 MT if you want 5 gears; 1.3 AT if you want Automatic 3.

Want Diesel (the search “chevrolet chevette diesel”): only 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT. Fuel Diesel, 1817, 51 hp / 38 kW, 2 valves per cylinder, 84 × 82. Do not buy these for peak power: they are 7 hp below the 1.3 and 24 hp below the 1.6 despite the largest displacement. 1.8 MT = Manual 5; 1.8 AT = Automatic 3.

Do not choose by generation: there is only 1 generation. Do not choose by clearance, drive, brakes, or suspension: all six share 120 mm, RWD, Disc / Drum, Independent, spring / Dependent, spring. Do not choose by mpg or weight: both not measured. Do not choose a 1992 car from these cards: last year here is 1987.

Short ranking on listed power only: 1.6 MT = 1.6 AT (75) > 1.3 MT = 1.3 AT (58) > 1.8 MT = 1.8 AT (51). Inside each power band, pick MT for 5 gears or AT for 3-speed Automatic.