40 Years of Opel Kadett E - How I Wished I Had a Kadett E GSi Convertible | Ausfahrt TV Sunday Cl...

Advertisement: Cars are expensive? Find the latest leasing deals here: https://www.rad-ab.com/Leasing-Deals As of today, I officially feel old, because the Opel Kadett E is celebrating its 40th birthday! It feels like only yesterday that I wanted the Opel Kadett E GSI convertible—well, maybe it was the day before yesterday. Today, we'll take another quick look at the Kadett E, and this is the last Ausfahrt TV Classic Sunday for now. Classic cars just aren't doing so well at the moment, and—I want to be transparent—they're currently ruining my average. I have new ideas for next week, but for now—because I love the Kadett E so much—here are a few old commercials and some information about the Astra's predecessor. It was autumn 1984, Queen went on their Works Tour, Prince's "Purple Rain" was on heavy rotation, and the MTV Video Music Awards were presented for the first time. At the same time, the automotive world experienced a significant innovation: the Opel Kadett E. This model played a pivotal role in the success story of Opel and the entire compact car segment. The Kadett E not only marked the beginning of a new era but also set standards in design, technology, and variety. As the fifth generation of the Kadett series, it was also the last model to bear this iconic name. Its successor, the Opel Astra, arrived in 1991 and seamlessly continued the success story. What many don't know: Development of the Kadett E began as early as 1979, shortly after the introduction of the first front-wheel-drive Kadett D. By the time of its market launch in the fall of 1984, Opel had invested 1.5 billion Deutsche Marks and tested the prototypes under extreme conditions over a total of 6.5 million kilometers. The result was a versatile vehicle offered in a remarkable variety: from the three- and five-door hatchback to the spacious Kadett Caravan station wagon, and even a sedan version. For commercial customers, Opel launched the Kadett Combo, a compact van capable of handling a payload of up to 635 kilograms. This model impressed with its versatility and generous cargo volume of 2.4 cubic meters. This diversity contributed significantly to the success of the Kadett E, which quickly became a bestseller. The Kadett E was also available as a convertible, developed in collaboration with the renowned designer Nuccio Bertone. This convertible was also available with the "Mickey Mouse" sunroof and as a GSi – how I would have loved to drive that car! The sportiest version of the Kadett E was undoubtedly the Kadett GSi. With its 1.8-liter engine and 115 hp, it provided driving fun, but the GSi was meant to offer even more: As a Group A touring car with 170 hp, it accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in less than seven seconds. The Kadett GSi 16V, which debuted in the DTM with 250 hp, brought Opel further motorsport successes, including winning the German Rally Championship in 1989. I was 10 years old at the time, my father drove a Kadett D 1.3 SR, and it was clear to me: I would drive an Opel someday. But the Kadett E didn't just set standards in terms of performance. With a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.32, it was the most aerodynamic production car in its class in 1984. The GSi variant was even the most streamlined sedan in the world, boasting a sensational Cd of 0.30 and a frontal area of ​​0.57 square meters. These technical advancements made the Kadett E not only a sporty but also an efficient vehicle. The Opel Kadett E was not only popular with customers but also celebrated by experts. In addition to winning the "Golden Steering Wheel" award in 1984, it was named "European Car of the Year 1985." These accolades underscore the model's significance for the automotive industry of the 1980s. A facelift in 1989 also contributed to the Kadett E's continued success until production ended in 1991. With the introduction of the Opel Astra in 1991, the Kadett era came to a close. The Kadett E evolved into the Astra F, and the Astra continued the success story. Even after 40 years, the Kadett E will remain a milestone in automotive history. As the Impulse 1, it was even ahead of its time, being electrically powered, albeit with a rather limited range, much like the Classic Sunday videos on this channel. Therefore, we're discontinuing them. Look forward to a new format starting next Sunday. #opel #opelkadett #opelkadette [Advertisement] Our product of the month: https://amzn.to/3Vc3Fxz The direct link to the AusfahrtTV WhatsApp group with Jan, Eckart, myself, and many others: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CAVgBd1Anw4...