Opel Rekord E Caravan (facelift 1982) 2.3 D (71 Hp)


Overall Rating

7.4 / 10
Safety N/A / 5
Not Rated
Engine 4.0 / 5
Value 4.0 / 5
Performance 3.0 / 5
Comfort 3.8 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

Opel Rekord:

The Opel Rekord is a large family car which was built in eight generations by the German car manufacturer Opel. Between 1953 and 1986, approximately ten million were sold.
The Series D and E Rekords also spawned derivative versions manufactured by Opel's British sister company Vauxhall and in the case of the Rekord E, GM's Australian arm Holden. In 1986, the Rekord nameplate was replaced by the Opel Omega.
The Rekord name evolved into the main name of the model; at first the name was used in close relationship with the Opel Olympia name, which pre-dated the Rekord but was also reinstated in a separate model in 1967....(Read more on Wikipedia)

E Caravan (facelift 1982) Overview:

Opel Rekord (E Caravan (facelift 1982)). With 135 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. Weighing only 1260 kg, it’s quite light. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 21.5 s). The top speed reaches 153 km/h. A car with an extended rear cargo area, combining passenger comfort with increased storage. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.

2.3 D (71 Hp) Verdict:

Rating 4 stars

Performance Verdict

Offers leisurely but consistent performance, suitable for utility and steady cruising.

Fuel Economy

Delivers excellent fuel economy, making it a very economical choice for long-distance driving.

Best Use Case: Economical long-distance travel, utility work, or for drivers prioritizing low running costs.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Spacious interior and generous cargo capacity, ideal for families and utility.
  • • Comfortable ride quality, especially suited for long journeys.
  • • Wide range of engine options to cater to diverse needs and budgets.
  • • Robust mechanicals and straightforward engineering for the era.
  • • Good value proposition as a practical and dependable estate car.

Cons:

  • • Styling became dated towards the end of its production run.
  • • Susceptibility to rust, a common issue for cars of this vintage.
  • • Some lower-powered engines, particularly diesels, offer very sluggish performance.
  • • High fuel consumption on some petrol variants, especially with automatic transmissions.
  • • Basic safety features by modern standards, typical for a car from the early 1980s.

Specifications:

Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(E Caravan: 1978 - 1982).

General:
Brand:Opel
Model:Rekord
Generation:E Caravan (facelift 1982)
Modification (Engine):2.3 D (71 Hp)
Start of production:1982
End of production:1986
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Station wagon (estate)
Seats:5
Doors:3-5
Engine:
Power:71 Hp @ 4400 rpm.
Power per litre:31.4 Hp/l
Torque:135 Nm @ 2400 rpm.
Engine Model/Code:23D [Same engine] More details about the engine 23D
Engine displacement:2260
Number of cylinders:4
Engine configuration:Inline
Number of valves per cylinder:2
Fuel injection system:Precombustion chamber injection
Engine aspiration:Naturally aspirated engine
Valvetrain:SOHC
Engine oil capacity:5.5 l
Coolant:11.5 l
Cylinder Bore:92 mm mm
Piston Stroke:85 mm mm
Compression ratio:22:1
Performance:
Fuel Type:Diesel
Fuel consumption (economy) - combined:6.9 l/100 km
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h:21.5 sec
Acceleration 0 - 62 mph:21.5 sec
Maximum speed:153 km/h
Weight-to-power ratio:17.7 kg/Hp, 56.3 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:9.3 kg/Nm, 107.1 Nm/tonne
Acceleration 0 - 60 mph:20.4 sec
Space:
Kerb Weight:1260
Max. weight:1900
Max load:640
Permitted trailer load with brakes (12%):1000 kg
Fuel tank capacity:70 l
Permitted trailer load without brakes:535 kg
Size:
Length:4678 mm mm [58mm more]
Width:1720 mm mm [6mm less]
Height:1475 mm mm [5mm more]
Wheelbase:2668 mm mm [Same wheelbase.]
Front track:1435 mm
Rear (Back) track:1432 mm
Ride height (ground clearance):140 mm
Minimum turning circle (turning diameter):10.8 m [above average]
Powertrain:
Drivetrain ArchitectureThe Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle.
Drive wheelRear wheel drive
Number of gears5
Transmission typeManual
Front brakesVentilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.]
Rear brakesDrum [bad for performance and cooling.]

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