Not the C, which was thoroughly modern, a sign of just how quickly cars transitioned from God knows what to practical family sedan by the 1980s — don’t think that the decade was all Alfetta GTs and 911 turbos, because practicality was king. As part of General Motors’ J-car project, the Ascona C was Opel’s second generation of front-wheel-drive cars after the Kadett D was a hit in 1979. Built in Rüsselsheim (Germany), Antwerp (Belgium) and São Caetano do Sul (Brazil), the Ascona C was also sold in various markets as the Vauxhall Cavalier in the UK and as the Chevrolet Monza in Latin America.
The Ascona C: A New Beginning
Introduced in August 1981, the Ascona C was a completely different kettle of fish compared to the ones that preceded it, taking a noticeable step away from the sportiness in favor for a more upmarket, family sedan. It would go on to be West Germany’s best-selling car of the early 1980s, praised for its practicality, space efficiency and comfort, taking the prestigious “Goldenes Lenkrad” (Golden Steering Wheel) award in 1981. It did come close to winning European Car of the Year but lost out to the Renault 9 in 1982.
Opel Ascona C (1981–1988) Specifications
General Overview:
- Production Years: 1981–1988
- Assembly Locations: Rüsselsheim (Germany), Antwerp (Belgium), São Caetano do Sul (Brazil), Luton (UK), South Africa
- Body Styles: 2-door saloon, 4-door saloon, 5-door fastback/hatchback, 2-door convertible, 3-door hatchback (Brazil)
- Layout: Front-wheel drive (FF)
Dimensions:
- Wheelbase: 2,574 mm (101.3 in)
- Length: 4,366 mm (171.9 in) (saloon), 4,264 mm (167.9 in) (hatchback)
- Width: 1,668 mm (65.7 in)
- Height: 1,395 mm (54.9 in) (saloon), 1,385 mm (54.5 in) (hatchback)
- Curb Weight: 920–1,090 kg (2,028–2,403 lb)
Engine Options:
- 1.3L SOHC: 60 PS (44 kW)
- 1.6L SOHC: 75 PS (55 kW)
- 1.6L GTE (Sporty Model): 130 PS (96 kW)
- Diesel Engine: 1.6L, derived from the 1.6SH block
Transmission Options:
- Manual: 4/5-speed
- Automatic: 3-speed
Performance:
- Top Speed: Varies by engine model, up to around 200 km/h (124 mph) for the GTE
- Acceleration (0–100 km/h): Approximately 9.5–11.5 seconds (depending on engine variant)
Fuel Economy:
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 50 liters (13.2 gallons)
Design & Body Styles: An array of approaches
The Ascona C was available with various body styles to suit the needs of different customers. The conventional 2- and 4- door saloons offered a more family friendly setup, and the 5-door fastback/hatchback (the “Combi Coupé”) offered larger cargo room coupled with a sporting appearance. Brazil has even had a 3-door hatchback version! The Ascona C, notably, was powered by frugal, fuel saving front-wheel drive layouts — an ideal option for everyday driving.
The grilles around the headlights were black for all previous generations of the Ascona except the C3, which in 1986 introduced a body-coloured version of the front grille. This update, and other minor changes in design, made the car more attractive and modern.
Powertrains: Practical Through the Sporty
With a wide variety of engine choices, the Ascona C appealed to a wide variety of customers. The car’s range started with a 1.3-liter engine that produced 60 PS but was eventually expanded to include more powerful engines, including a 1.6-liter with 75 PS and the barnstorming GTE variant with electronic fuel injection and 130 PS. These powertrains offered a good compromise between performance and efficiency. One significant new option in the mid-1980s was a diesel engine for better fuel economy.
For the performance-minded, the GTE spec became the top-tier option. The GTE added some sporty flair to the Ascona C’s already attractive styling, along with a 130 PS engine making it the most powerful and desirable variant of the model, another option was a catalytic converter for the larger petrol engines introduced in 1986, for the broadsheet emissions concern of the day.
The Ascona C had a fascinating claim to fame, the fact that it was sold all over the world. The Ascona was marketed mostly as the Opel Ascona in Europe, although in the UK it was sold as the Vauxhall Cavalier, and in Latin America as the Chevrolet Monza. The Ascona C’s icon status over multiple markets was locked in thanks to this global reach. Oddly, GM South Africa was also putting together a version of the Ascona C in those days, but it ended production in 1986 and replaced it with the Opel Monza in that part of the world.
