History and description of Chevrolet Lumina cars

Chevrolet Lumina (1989–2013)

Chevrolet Lumina — a large passenger car produced by the American automaker General Motors, produced from 1989 to 2013. In the United States, two different cars were called Lumina, which initially confused buyers. In addition to the sedan, the Lumina Sedan was also offered as a minivan called the Lumina APV. This sedan replaced the Chevrolet Celebrity and Chevrolet Monte Carlo, and the minivan replaced the Chevrolet Celebrity station wagon. The first two generations of the car were produced for the US market, for other markets (mainly for the Middle East and Africa) released the third and fourth generation.

First generation (1989–1994)

For NASCAR racing, the official Chevrolet race car model was called the Lumina beginning in 1989. A production car of the same name was later released, based on General Motors' front-wheel drive W-body platform, which was also used for the Buick Regal, Buick Century, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, and Pontiac Grand Prix. Although the Lumina 1 sold well, it was a bit late to market due to the emergence of a competitor Ford Taurus.

There were two body styles: a two-door coupe and a four-door sedan. The coupe was 5039 mm long, 1821 mm wide and 1354 mm high. The sedan was 5062 mm long, 1803 mm wide and 1361 mm high. The car's wheelbase was 2730 mm and the curb weight was 1586 kg. The front suspension was McPherson type, while the rear suspension used Chapman struts and a fiberglass leaf spring mounted transversely.

Only petrol engines of the following models were installed: 2.2 liters (2190 cm³, I4, 1993, 110 hp), 2.5 liters (2471 cm³, Iron Duke, I4, 1990-1992, 105 hp), 3.1 liters (3135 cm³, LHO, V6, 1990-1994, 140 hp) and 3.4 liters (3350 cm³, LQ1, V6, 1991-1994, 200 hp). The gearbox was an automatic three-speed "3T40" or a four-speed "4T60".

Since 1991, a high-performance version of the Lumina called the Z34 has been offered. The standard equipment included the FE3 sports suspension, a 3.4-liter engine (LQ1, V6, 210 hp), five-speed manual transmission "Getrag 284" and anti-lock braking system on all wheels.

The first-generation Chevrolet Lumina was discontinued in 1994, making it the shortest-lived generation of GM's first-generation W-platform vehicles, with approximately 1.05 million units produced.

Second generation (1994–2001)

Development of the second generation Lumina began in 1989 and was unveiled in metal at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 1994, with production beginning in March. The car received a rounded body, increasing its size, as well as an updated interior. The platform used was the same, slightly updated "W-body 1.5 Gen". The body remained only a four-door sedan with a length of 5103 mm, a width of 1842 mm, a height of 1392-1402 mm, a wheelbase of 2730 mm and a curb weight of 1540 kg. The niche in the market of cars with a coupe body was occupied by the Chevrolet Monte Carlo. In total, about 1.15 million second-generation Lumina cars were produced.

There were originally two trim levels, the Base and the LS. The latter included the following options: power windows, a power sunroof, leather bucket seats, a power driver's seat, and a stereo with a CD player. The LTZ trim was introduced in 1996, which added 16-inch matte aluminum wheels, radial performance tires, a sport suspension, a rear spoiler, a tachometer, and a floor-mounted shifter. In 1997, the 1998 model year Lumina received second-generation airbags.

Engines were installed only petrol six-cylinder V-shaped of the following models - 3.1 liters (3135 cm³, L82, 162 hp), 3.1 liters (3135 cm³, L82/LG8, 162 hp), 3.4 liters (3352 cm³, LQ1, 1995-1997, 210 hp) and 3.8 liters (3791 cm³, L36, 1998-1999, 200 hp). Only a four-speed automatic transmission was installed "4T60-E/4T65-E".

Chevrolet Lumina 1997, interior

Chevrolet Lumina 1995, engine

Chevrolet Lumina 1997, trunk

Third and fourth generation (1998-2013)

Since 1998, the Holden Commodore has been sold as the Chevrolet Lumina in the Middle East and South Africa markets, and later in Southeast Asia. In 2006, the new Holden Commodore was launched in Australia, and in 2007 it was renamed and exported from Australia as the new generation Chevrolet Lumina. The Chinese-made Buick Regal was also sold in the Philippines from 2005 to 2006 as the Chevrolet Lumina.