Chevrolet Beretta

Chevrolet Beretta
1996 Chevrolet Beretta Z26
Overview
ManufacturerChevrolet
Production1987–1996
Model years1987–1996
AssemblyWilmington, Delaware, United States
Linden, New Jersey, United States
DesignerJerry Palmer[1]
Body and chassis
ClassSport compact (C)
Body style2-door coupe
LayoutTransverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
PlatformL-body
RelatedChevrolet Corsica
Pontiac Tempest
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission3-speed 3T40 automatic
4-speed 4T60-E automatic
5-speed Getrag 282 manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase103.4 in (2,626 mm)
Length187.2 in (4,755 mm)
Width1988–1990: 68.2 in (1,732 mm)
1991–96: 67.9 in (1,725 mm)
Height1988–1990: 55.3 in (1,405 mm)
1991–96: 53.2 in (1,351 mm)
Chronology
PredecessorChevrolet Citation coupe
Chevrolet Celebrity coupe
SuccessorChevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet Monte Carlo

The Chevrolet Beretta is a coupé that was produced by Chevrolet from 1987 until 1996. Alongside the four-door Chevrolet Corsica, the Beretta served as the successor to the Chevrolet Citation. Slotted between the Cavalier and Lumina/Monte Carlo coupes, the Beretta was distinguished by its vertical door handles mounted on the B-pillar, a design feature later used by the Chevrolet Lumina coupe and its GM W-body counterparts.

The Beretta shared the front-wheel drive GM L platform with the Corsica; replacing the X-body platform, the L-body was designed by Chevrolet, with the rest of General Motors using the Oldsmobile-designed N-body. The body was designed in the same design studio as the contemporary Camaro and Corvette. For 1990, a Beretta convertible conversion was selected as the Indianapolis 500 pace car; though a replica was initially considered as a convertible, the production replica was offered as a coupe.

During its production, the Beretta was assembled alongside the Corsica and Pontiac Tempest sedans (the latter sold only in Canada) in GM facilities in Wilmington, Delaware, and Linden, New Jersey.

  1. ^ Patton, Phil (24 May 1987). "The Shape of Ford's Success". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 September 2016.