With its fantastic engineering, unique looks, and a flexible enough design that it adapted well to different markets, the Opel Ascona B was the compact car icon. Engineered by the talented Tsutomu Aoto, Walter Bickelhaupt and George Gallion among others, there are few models as distinctive as the Ascona B still delivering the goods as a daily driver performance-wise.
Engine Options & Powertrain
The Ascona B featured a wide range of powertrains, meaning you could pick one that best suited you. Powering the car was a 1.2L OHV I4 engine (1196 cc) that made 55-60 hp, depending on the model. While not very powerful, this engine gave reasonable gas mileage for that time period. Available engine variants comprised:
1.3L OHC I4 (1297 cc) 60–75 hp
1.6L CIH I4 (1584 cc), 75 hp max.
1.9L CIH I4 (1897 cc), available in S trim with up to 90 horsepower
2.0L CIH I4 (1979 cc), up to 100 hp in S form
2.4L DOHC 16V I4 (Ascona 400) 144 hp, hybridizing the engine on both versions to reap maximum performance in the rally variant
For the European market especially in nations with diesel incentives the 2.0L diesel engine (1998 cc) was also introduced producing 58hp.
Dimensions & Specifications
Wheelbase: 2,518 mm (99.1 in.)
L: 4,321 mm (170.1 in)
Width: 1,670 mm (66 inches)
Height: 1,380 mm (54 inches)
Curb Weight: About 1,050 kg (2,310 lbs)
Design & Body Styles
The Ascona B carried over the same clean, functional aesthetic from the original, appearing as a two-door and four-door saloon. With an overall length of 4321 mm (170.1 in) and a width of 1670 mm (66 in), the car was roomy yet compact enough for day-to-day use. This was brought about through a new FR (Front Engine, Rear-Wheel Drive) layout that provided the best combination of engaging driving experience, while the more aggressive Ascona 400 increased the width of the fenders, used lightweight body panels, and had modifications with its roots in rallying.
Key Features and Improvements
The Ascona B was improved during its production:
January 1976: Laminated window glass was offered as a no-cost option.
September 1977: 2.0L replaces 1.9L S with more power and economy
January 1978 — All models now come with electric windscreen washers, making them more comfortable and easier to use.
1979 Facelift: For the model year 1979, the Ascona B was launched with redesigned plastic bumpers, the removed of the traditional chrome bumpers making way for the plastic ones, new handling mode via new suspensions.
1980-1981: Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection and a redesigned clutch for the 2.0 E model.
RALLYING: Performance: The Ascona 400
Opel Ascona 400 — How the 1979 legendary completed motorsport factory Built to homologate the car for rallying, it was a 2.4L engine with up to 144 horsepower in its street trim. Taking its remarkable tournament victories with the Ascona 400, like the 1983 Safari Rally, into account, it made history. Along with partners such as Irmscher to revamp the aesthetics and Cosworth to build the engine, the Ascona 400 saw a fair share of success worldwide, culminating in a 1982 World Rally Championship victory. The rally trim was good for up to 230 hp and with further tuning, the engine could even produce an impressive 340 hp, making the Ascona 400 a proper beast.
Export Models and Variants
Vauxhall Cavalier (UK): The Ascona B was sold as the Vauxhall Cavalier in the UK, and had some minor differences like it’s front end unique to the “droop snoot” Vauxhall design.
Chevrolet Ascona (S.A): A South African assembled version not dissimilar to its four-door European Ascona siblings (locally manufactured 1.3-litre engine).
By the time it ceased production in 1981, the Ascona B had been a massive success for Opel, with more than 1.2 million examples sold worldwide. Significantly, the 2-millionth Ascona built was an Ascona B from 1980, and the 1-millionth Ascona sold in Germany was registered in 1980, too.
Production ended in 1981, but the Ascona B lived on in the Manta B coupé variants that continued until 1988.
Read More: Conclusion: While the show does go through time with its world building it is a classic.
Well, you are only very few fans of the Opel Ascona B(theB visionary), It is still a highly appreciated car. More than just the basis for the Ascona 400’s motorsports success story, its extensive lineup of engines, and its widespread success in several markets, the Ascona B represents yet another example of how Opel, past and present, has successfully combined ordinary with exciting, and deserved it’s place in the hearts of everyday driver enthusiasts and motorsport fans alike.
