Opel Kadett

Opel Kadett: generations compared: what actually changed

The catalogue lists six generations. The body attached to each listing is not a full body range; it is the body on that generation card: 1 generation Coupe (1962–1965), 2 generation Coupe (1965–1973), 3 generation Coupe (1973–1979), 4 generation Hatchback 3-door (1979–1984), 5 generation Cabrio (1984–1989), 5 generation, restyling Sedan (1989–1993).

The catalogue lists six generations. The body attached to each listing is not a full body range; it is the body on that generation card: 1 generation Coupe (1962–1965), 2 generation Coupe (1965–1973), 3 generation Coupe (1973–1979), 4 generation Hatchback 3-door (1979–1984), 5 generation Cabrio (1984–1989), 5 generation, restyling Sedan (1989–1993).

Drive is the cleanest generation split. Every listed version in 1–3 generation is RWD. Every listed version in 4 generation, 5 generation, and 5 generation, restyling is FWD. If you want rear-wheel drive, you stop at 3 generation. If you want front-wheel drive, you start at 4 generation.

Fuel type barely splits the line: only 4 generation 1.6 MT 54 hp is Diesel. All other listed versions are Gasoline. Boost is No on every version. Cylinders are 4 Inline and the engine sits Front, transverse on the FWD generations; the early cards do not add a different cylinder count.

Gearbox arithmetic across generations: 1 and 2 generation listed manuals are 4-speed Manual only. 3 generation adds a 5-speed Manual on 1.6 MT 75 hp and a 5-speed Automatic on 1.9 AT 105 hp (the only 5-speed Automatic in the whole table). From 4 generation onward, manuals are mostly 4-speed (4 generation) then 5-speed (5 generation), while Automatics stay 3-speed except that one 3 generation 1.9 AT.

Peak power by generation (listed versions only): 1 generation 40–48 hp; 2 generation 45–90 hp; 3 generation 40–110 hp; 4 generation 52–115 hp plus the 54 hp Diesel; 5 generation Cabrio 60–116 hp; 5 generation, restyling 60–115 hp. The 116 hp 2.0 AT in 5 generation Cabrio is 1 hp above the 115 hp 2.0 AT / 2.0 MT twins in the restyling Sedan — the only 1 hp step in the whole model.

Engines and specs

Same `mod_name` appears more than once. Distinguish those twins by horsepower (and, where needed, by gearbox and injection). English labels below are the catalogue labels.

5 generation, restyling (Sedan, 1989–1993, FWD)

Injection on that card: Central injection (single-point or single- point) on 1.4 MT 60 hp, 1.6 MT 75 hp, 1.6 AT 75 hp, 1.8 MT 90 hp, 2.0 AT, 2.0 MT; Carburetor on 1.4 MT 75 hp, 1.4 AT, 1.6 MT 82 hp, 1.6 AT 82 hp; Distributed injection on 1.8 MT 115 hp and 1.8 AT.

5 generation (Cabrio, 1984–1989, FWD)

4 generation (Hatchback 3-door, 1979–1984, FWD)

Two 1.2 MT 52 hp rows and two 1.2 MT 55 hp rows differ by fuel grade and tank (not measured vs 42 L), not by power. The two 1.2 MT 60 hp rows differ by torque: 83 Nm vs 86 Nm.

3 generation (Coupe, 1973–1979, RWD)

2 generation (Coupe, 1965–1973, RWD) — eight versions, all Manual 4, all Carburetor, all Gasoline: 1.1 MT 45 hp / 74 Nm / 1078 cc; 1.1 MT 50 hp / 73 Nm; 1.1 MT 55 hp / 81 Nm; 1.1 MT 60 hp / 83 Nm; 1.2 MT 60 hp / 88 Nm / 1196 cc; 1.5 MT 64 hp / Nm not measured / 1492 cc; 1.7 MT 75 hp / 128 Nm / 1698 cc; 1.9 MT 90 hp / 146 Nm / 1897 cc.

1 generation (Coupe, 1962–1965, RWD) — two versions, both 1.0 MT, both 993 cc, Carburetor, Manual 4, RWD: 40 hp / 71 Nm and 48 hp / 71 Nm. The 8 hp gap is the entire 1 generation choice.

Performance and economy (mpg)

0–100 km/h, where measured:

• Fastest listed: 5 generation, restyling 2.0 MT 115 hp — 9 s, 195 km/h.
• 5 generation Cabrio 2.0 MT 115 hp and 2.0 MT 116 hp — both 10 s, 195 km/h. The restyling Manual is 1 s quicker than the Cabrio Manual at the same 115 hp.
• 4 generation 1.8 MT 115 hp — 10 s, 185 km/h: same 10 s as the Cabrio 2.0, 10 km/h slower on top.
• 5 generation, restyling 1.8 MT 90 hp and 1.8 MT 115 hp both 11.5 s; tops 180 vs 175 km/h. The 25 extra hp on the 115 hp twin does not buy a shorter 0–100 in this table; it buys 15 Nm (160 vs 145) and a different injection label.
• 4 generation 1.6 MT 90 hp — 12 s, 173 km/h.
• 3 generation 1.6 MT 75 hp — 13 s, 163 km/h; 5 generation Cabrio 1.6 MT 75 hp — 13 s, 167 km/h; restyling 1.6 MT 75 hp — 13.5 s, 165 km/h.
• Slowest measured: 3 generation 1.0 MT 40 hp — 26 s, 127 km/h; 2 generation 1.1 MT 45 hp — 26 s, 125 km/h. 2 generation 1.1 MT 50 hp is 21.5 s / 130 km/h; 1.1 MT 55 hp 19 s / 135 km/h; 1.1 MT 60 hp 17 s / 140 km/h. Inside one 1078 cc name, 15 hp buys 9 s (26 − 17).
• Automatic tax, where both are measured: restyling 1.6 AT 75 hp 16 s / 160 km/h vs 1.6 MT 75 hp 13.5 s / 165 km/h (+2.5 s, −5 km/h). Cabrio 1.6 AT 75 hp 15.5 s / 162 km/h vs 1.6 MT 75 hp 13 s / 167 km/h (+2.5 s, −5 km/h). 4 generation 1.3 AT 60 hp 18.5 s / 145 km/h vs 1.3 MT 60 hp 15.5 s / 147 km/h (+3 s). 3 generation 1.2 AT 60 hp 21 s / 141 km/h vs 1.2 MT 60 hp 17.5 s / 146 km/h (+3.5 s). 5 generation Cabrio 1.3 AT 60 hp 18 s / 155 km/h.

Not measured for 0–100: restyling 1.4 AT, 1.6 MT 82 hp, 1.6 AT 82 hp, 1.8 AT, 2.0 AT; Cabrio 1.3 MT, 1.3 AT 75 hp, 1.6 AT 90 hp, 1.6 MT 90 hp, 2.0 AT 115 hp, 2.0 AT 116 hp; 3 generation 1.2 AT 52 hp, 1.2 AT 55 hp, 1.9 MT, 1.9 AT, 2.0 MT; 2 generation 1.5 MT; both 1 generation 1.0 MT (top speed is measured: 120 and 130 km/h).

Fuel consumption is measured on a short list only. Restyling 1.4 MT 60 hp: city 8.6 / highway 5.5 / mixed 7 L/100 km. Cabrio 1.6 MT 75 hp: 9.3 / 5.1 / 7. Cabrio 1.6 AT 75 hp: 9.8 / 5.9 / 8 — the Automatic costs +0.5 city, +0.8 highway, +1.0 mixed versus the matching Manual. Cabrio 1.3 AT 60 hp: 9.1 / 5.9 / 7.8. 4 generation 1.3 AT 60 hp: 9.2 / 6.8 / 8.5. All other versions: city, highway, mixed, CO2, eco class not measured.

Dimensions and weight

Kerb weight, where measured: 4 generation 1.2 MT 60 hp (83 Nm) 840 kg — lightest figure in the file. Restyling 1.4 MT 60 hp and 1.8 MT 90 hp both 875 kg. 4 generation 1.3 AT 860 kg; 1.2 MT 60 hp (86 Nm) 860 kg. Cabrio 1.3 AT 60 hp 875 kg; Cabrio 1.6 MT 75 hp and 1.6 AT 75 hp 890 kg. Cabrio 2.0 MT 116 hp 910 kg. 4 generation 1.6 MT 90 hp 900 kg; Diesel 1.6 MT 54 hp 950 kg; 1.8 MT 115 hp 980 kg — heaviest kerb in the file.

Gross: 1100 kg on Cabrio 1.6 MT 75 hp (the lowest gross); 1340–1440 kg on 4 generation measured cars; 1380 kg on several restyling and Cabrio rows. Cabrio 1.6 MT 75 hp is the odd pair: kerb 890, gross 1100 (payload 210 kg). Cabrio 1.6 AT 75 hp is kerb 890, gross 1380 (payload 490 kg) — same kerb, +280 kg on the gross figure.

Ground clearance: 127 mm on every 3 generation row; 133 or 140 mm on 5 generation cards; 135 or 150 mm on 4 generation; not measured on 1 and 2 generation.

Tank: 33 L (1 generation), 40 L (2 generation), not measured (3 generation), 42 L on some 4 generation 1.2 MT rows and not measured on the others, 52 L on every 5 generation Cabrio row, not measured on 5 generation, restyling. Wheel sizes: not measured on every version.

Brakes on the later FWD cards: front Disc, rear Drum. Suspension labels: Independent, spring front; Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem rear (catalogue English as stored).

Which version to choose

If the job is the shortest 0–100 in this catalogue: 5 generation, restyling 2.0 MT 115 hp (9 s, 195 km/h, 170 Nm, 1998 cc, Central injection, Manual 5, FWD, fuel 92). Versus the Cabrio 2.0 MT 115 hp (10 s, 195 km/h) you gain 1 s and keep the same top speed. Versus 4 generation 1.8 MT 115 hp (10 s, 185 km/h, 980 kg) you gain 1 s and 10 km/h, and you are not carrying the 980 kg kerb — restyling 2.0 MT kerb is not measured.

If the job is power per litre, not litres: restyling 1.8 MT 115 hp is 115 / 1.796 = 64.0 hp/L. Restyling 2.0 MT 115 hp is 115 / 1.998 = 57.6 hp/L. Same 115 hp, 202 cc less, 10 Nm less (160 vs 170), 0–100 both 11.5 s vs 9 s — here the extra 202 cc on the 2.0 actually buys 2.5 s. 4 generation 1.8 MT 115 hp is also 64.0 hp/L, with 10 s and 185 km/h. 3 generation 2.0 MT 110 hp is 55.6 hp/L; 1.9 MT 105 hp is 55.3 hp/L. 2 generation 1.9 MT 90 hp is 47.4 hp/L. 1 generation 1.0 MT 48 hp is 48.3 hp/L.

If the job is the lightest car that still moves at 60 hp: 4 generation 1.2 MT 60 hp (83 Nm) at 840 kg is 14.0 kg/hp. Restyling 1.4 MT 60 hp at 875 kg is 14.6 kg/hp. 4 generation 1.8 MT 115 hp at 980 kg is 8.5 kg/hp — the best measured weight-to-power in the file. Cabrio 2.0 MT 116 hp at 910 kg is 7.8 kg/hp, even better, and 10 s / 195 km/h. Restyling 1.8 MT 90 hp at 875 kg is 9.7 kg/hp with 11.5 s / 180 km/h.

If you stay inside 5 generation, restyling Sedan and only pick among the 12 listed versions:

• Do not buy 1.4 MT 75 hp for speed versus 1.4 MT 60 hp: the 75 hp Carburetor 5-speed is slower in the table (16 s / 155 km/h) than the 60 hp Central injection 4-speed (15 s / 160 km/h). The 15 hp “upgrade” is −1 s the wrong way and −5 km/h. What it does buy is 7 Nm (110 vs 103), a fifth gear, fuel 95 instead of 92, and 140 mm clearance instead of 133 mm. Consumption on the 75 hp twin is not measured; on the 60 hp twin it is 8.6 / 5.5 / 7.
• At 75 hp, 1.6 MT (13.5 s / 165 km/h, 125 Nm) beats 1.4 MT 75 hp (16 s / 155 km/h, 110 Nm) by 2.5 s and 10 km/h for 209 cc. That is the 75 hp Manual that matches the stopwatch.
• 1.6 AT 75 hp is 16 s / 160 km/h: the Automatic costs 2.5 s against 1.6 MT 75 hp. 1.4 AT 75 hp: 0–100 and top speed not measured.
• 1.6 MT 82 hp vs 1.6 MT 75 hp: +7 hp, +5 Nm (130 vs 125), Carburetor vs Central injection, compression 10 vs 9.2. 0–100, top speed, consumption, and mass on the 82 hp twin are not measured, so the catalogue cannot prove the 7 hp is faster.
• 1.8 MT 90 hp vs 1.6 MT 75 hp: +15 hp, +20 Nm, 11.5 s vs 13.5 s (−2 s), 180 vs 165 km/h (+15). Same 875 kg kerb as 1.4 MT 60 hp.
• 1.8 MT 115 hp vs 1.8 MT 90 hp: +25 hp, +15 Nm, same 11.5 s, 175 vs 180 km/h. The 25 hp does not buy a shorter sprint here. It buys Distributed injection and fuel 95.
• 2.0 MT vs 1.8 MT 115 hp: same 115 hp, +10 Nm (170 vs 160), 9 s vs 11.5 s (−2.5 s), 195 vs 175 km/h (+20). That is the restyling step that shows up on the clock.
• 2.0 AT vs 2.0 MT: same 115 hp and 170 Nm; Automatic 3 vs Manual 5. 0–100, top speed, consumption, mass not measured on the Automatic.

If you stay inside 5 generation Cabrio:

• 1.3 AT 60 hp is the slow measured Automatic (18 s / 155 km/h) with mixed 7.8 L/100 km, tank 52 L, clearance 133 mm, kerb 875 kg.
• 1.6 MT 75 hp is the only Cabrio with a full consumption set and a 1100 kg gross: 13 s / 167 km/h, 9.3 / 5.1 / 7, 890 kg. 1.6 AT 75 hp adds 2.5 s, 1.0 L/100 km mixed, and 280 kg of gross (1380 vs 1100).
• 1.6 MT 90 hp vs 1.6 MT 75 hp: +15 hp, −2 Nm (123 vs 125). Sprint and consumption on the 90 hp twin are not measured — more peak power, less torque, no proof on the clock.
• 1.8 MT 115 hp: 11.5 s / 175 km/h — identical sprint and top speed to restyling 1.8 MT 115 hp.
• 2.0 MT 115 hp and 2.0 MT 116 hp share 10 s / 195 km/h. The 116 hp twin adds 1 hp and a measured 910 kg kerb; torque stays 170 Nm. 2.0 AT 116 hp is the peak 116 hp / 172 Nm row; sprint not measured.

If you want 4 generation Hatchback 3-door:

• Base cluster is 1.2 MT at 52 / 55 / 60 hp, all 18.5 or 16.5 s, 140 or 145 km/h. The 60 hp (86 Nm) row at 860 kg with tank 42 L is the 1.2 that has the most filled-in sheet. The 52 hp and 55 hp twins do not gain a measured mass.
• 1.3 MT 75 hp (13.5 s / 158 km/h) is 5 s quicker than 1.3 MT 60 hp (15.5 s / 147 km/h) for 15 hp and 4 Nm.
• 1.6 MT 90 hp (12 s / 173 km/h, 900 kg) sits between the 1.3 75 hp and the 1.8 MT 115 hp (10 s / 185 km/h, 980 kg). The last 25 hp costs 80 kg of kerb and buys 2 s and 12 km/h.
• Diesel 1.6 MT 54 hp: 18 s / 143 km/h, 950 kg — 110 kg heavier than the 840 kg 1.2 MT 60 hp and 0.5 s quicker than that 1.2’s 18.5 s, with a lower top speed (143 vs 145). Buy it only for the Diesel label; the stopwatch does not reward it.

If you want RWD (3 / 2 / 1 generation Coupe):

• 3 generation 1.6 MT 75 hp is the only 5-speed Manual on that card and the quickest fully measured mid-engine: 13 s / 163 km/h. 1.6 AT 75 hp is 15.5 s / 155 km/h (+2.5 s).
• 3 generation 1.9 MT / 1.9 AT 105 hp: torque, 0–100, top speed, mass all not measured. 2.0 MT 110 hp: 162 Nm, sprint not measured. You cannot rank those three on the clock from this file.
• 2 generation is a 1.1 ladder: 45 → 50 → 55 → 60 hp cuts 26 s to 17 s and raises 125 to 140 km/h. 1.7 MT 75 hp is 14 s / 155 km/h; 1.9 MT 90 hp is 13 s / 166 km/h. Tank is 40 L on all eight. Mass and clearance not measured.
• 1 generation is only 1.0 MT 40 hp (120 km/h) vs 1.0 MT 48 hp (130 km/h), tank 33 L, 0–100 not measured. The 8 hp buys 10 km/h and nothing else on the sheet.

Automatic vs Manual, model-wide. Where both are measured, the Automatic is 2.5–3.5 s slower and 2–5 km/h slower on top, and — on the one pair with fuel figures — 1.0 L/100 km thirstier mixed. The 3-speed Automatic never shows a faster 0–100 than its Manual twin in this data. Buy Automatic only for the 3 (or, on 3 generation 1.9 AT, 5) gears, not for the stopwatch.

Reliability / problems. This dataset has no failure rates, no service intervals, and no problem lists. What it does show as a choice risk is missing measurement: many Automatics, both 82 hp 1.6 twins, 3 generation 1.9s, 1 generation sprints, tanks on the restyling Sedan, and almost all wheel sizes are not measured. A version with 0–100, top speed, mass, and mixed consumption filled in (restyling 1.4 MT 60 hp; Cabrio 1.6 MT 75 hp; Cabrio 1.6 AT 75 hp; Cabrio 1.3 AT 60 hp; 4 generation 1.3 AT 60 hp) is the version you can compare without guessing.

Short list. Fastest measured: restyling 2.0 MT 115 hp. Best measured hp/L at 115 hp: restyling or 4 generation 1.8 MT 115 hp. Best measured kg/hp: Cabrio 2.0 MT 116 hp (910 kg). Lightest measured: 4 generation 1.2 MT 60 hp (83 Nm), 840 kg. Only Diesel: 4 generation 1.6 MT 54 hp. Only RWD with a complete 13 s figure: 3 generation 1.6 MT 75 hp. Daily restyling Sedan with consumption on the page: 1.4 MT 60 hp. Do not treat 1.4 MT 75 hp as a faster 1.4 — the table says it is not.