The Opel Kadett E is 40 years old. The last Kadett generation grew from its introduction in 1984 - just like its predecessors - into a successful model. And that was partly due to the then modern body design, the excellent example of Opel marketing, and the extensive variety of versions. At the same time, this model became the last Opel with the name Kadett. The long-established model name disappeared in 1991, and made way (among other places on the European mainland) for the new name: Astra.
Autumn 1984: The fifth generation of the successful Opel Kadett makes his debut
The development story of the fifth Kadett generation actually began in 1979. The Kadett D – the first Opel with front-wheel drive – had just made its debut. However, the developers in Rüsselsheim were already thinking about its successor. Over the course of five years, one and a half billion Deutsche Marks were invested in the development of the Kadett E. Before it was ready for series production, the prototypes covered a total of around 6,5 million test kilometres – in test centres, on race tracks, under extreme weather conditions in Northern Europe and in desert regions of the USA. In addition, great emphasis was placed on aerodynamics, which the developers also achieved excellently.
Debut: Fall 1984
After extensive testing, the moment had arrived: the Kadett E appeared in the autumn of 1984, and again had front-wheel drive. This was in fact taken over in a modified form from the predecessor. Traditionally, the German manufacturer presented a large number of versions: the LS, the GL, the GLS, the GT and the GSi offered the Opel buyer a wide range of alternatives. Over the years, several special versions also appeared.
Wide range of products
From the start of sales, the latest Kadett generation was available as a three-door and five-door hatchback and as a three-door and five-door station wagon (both with a maximum volume of 1520 litres). At the start of sales, the Kadett E was available (depending on the market) with the old 1.2 S OHV engine, which was removed from the range fairly quickly. The following OHV engines were also on the initial programme: the 1.2 S, the 1.3 N, the 1.3 S, the 1.6 S and the 18E (1.8 i GSi). The 1.6 D was the only diesel variant on the programme. Later, Opel also added other engines (such as 1.4, 1.8 and 2.0 petrol variants, and several diesel engines and applications (catalytic converter, injection) to the program, and power sources also disappeared from the program. Rüsselsheim also expanded the delivery program in terms of bodywork. For example, the four-door sedan version ('Stufenheck') appeared in September 1985.
'Bertone' Cabriolet
And from 1987, convertible enthusiasts could turn to the brand for the Kadett E Cabriolet. This was created through close cooperation between Opel's design team in Rüsselsheim and Bertone. The car was assembled in Turin. It came with extensive standard equipment, ranging from sports seats for the driver and front passenger to individually folding rear seats and tinted windows. The basic equipment was based on the GL trim level, and the engines available were the 1.6i, the 2.0i (both from start to finish) and the 136 DIN hp 20 SEH engine (for export markets).
Business variant
Opel did not only want to attract private customers with the Kadett. With another variant, it also offered the right model for business customers: the Kadett Combo. This compact van, with a specially designed rear axle and rear doors that opened 180 degrees, could carry a payload of up to 635 kilograms and offered 2,4 cubic meters of loading space. Incidentally, there were also van versions based on the Caravan available, without rear side windows.
Performer: the Kadett GSi
The most powerful Kadett E version was the Kadett GSi. Initially, the production version had the 1,8-liter engine with 85 kW (115 hp). Later, the power became slightly less powerful thanks to the use of a catalytic converter. The aforementioned engine was joined in the GSi (depending on the market) by the two-liter variants (with and without cat). And from the end of 1987, Opel also used the new 2.0 16V power sources (with cat 150 DIN hp, without cat 156 DIN hp) with DOHC in the top version. The GSi was prominently present in competition (and of course with different specifications) several times. Both on the circuit and in smaller and larger rallies.
Facelift in 1989.
In 1989, Opel gave the success story a facelift. In broad terms, relatively little changed in the Kadett E. However, the car was towed. The markings on the rear were given a different font. The biggest change was at the front. A modified and more compact grille was placed there. And the brand logo was also presented in a different way. The facelift was also accompanied by the introduction of the C14SE engine. This replaced the 1.3 (NB) carburettor engine, and in 1990 also retired the C13N engine (1.3i).
End
In 1991, Opel replaced the Kadett E with the new Astra, only the Cabriolet remained on the program for a few more years. But the fate of the illustrious type name was sealed. The Kadett E was not always praised for its build quality and rust resistance. Nevertheless, the last generation of Opel's success story was also in great demand. The counter eventually stopped at a production number of almost 3.8 million Kadett-E units built. The model was also built under license, and went through life as Chevrolet Kadett and Ipanema, and as Vauxhall Astra and Belmont (Great Britain). In South Africa, the car was called…. Opel Monza. And finally, in the mid-nineties, a new car player appeared on the market. Daewoo then presented the Nexia, which had strong similarities with the Opel Kadett-E.
All images shown are courtesy of Stellantis (©Stellantis)
I found the Kadett E as LS more of a bare bottom model because for those 19 KiloFlorijnen Opel delivered a middle class car that in my eyes made no secret of the fact that there was absolutely nothing in it... OK a little less bare than a Golf C but in my Calvinist durrep the sight of all those white, red and blue basic models did not really make me happy... fortunately also enough GTs and GSis, especially in red and I certainly thought the GT with those black steel rims looked cool. When I did a car swap with one of my colleagues a decade later I had his late 1.4 GL under my butt... still bare compared to my Astra TDS Season but also the feeling that I was on the road with a seemingly much more fragile car made me long for Monday. He did have a great audio system installed so there was great music in it if needed.
The E could rot like no other.
Faster than even any Italian.
It is standard practice for cars that are 4 or 5 years old to have the sills fall out.
It is qualitatively (rust technically) one of the worst Opels.
The Astra F had engines that spontaneously broke down. (Eco(P)tech)
I don't like the Kadett-E at all, I had one that was the worst car I ever had, I had the Kadett A to E and the pre-war one, mostly the Kadett-B, which is the best Kadett ever, but the E is a terrible car and also prone to rust, look how many there are left, then you take its competitor, the Volkswagen Golf 2, there are still many of them and almost never rotten
A very long sentence of nonsense with no periods. . .
Very simple; the GSI was not only much faster, more comfortable, more luxurious and more reliable than the "competitor" VW GTI, but also cheaper. Roadholding was better than the French, as well as real driving pleasure.
Have had them all, (several)!
Once again VW is “popular” thanks to a tight marketing machine, but in the end that is also what the customer pays for, as well as the overly expensive insurance premiums!