An International Superstar (excerpts taken from Auto-Report.com)

Did you know: America's Suzuki Reno is also sold all over the globe under different names? In Canada/Africa/Philippines/Middle East it's sold as the Chevy Optra5. In Europe, it's the Daewoo/Chevy Lacetti. In China the Excelle HRV. And in Australia, is the Holden Viva.

It began back in 2003 when European company Daewoo introduced the Lacetti. The car's modern styling was created by Italdesign, the famous Turin studio founded by Giorgetto Giugiaro. Clear-glass headlamps and a self-confident radiator grille with the brand emblem integrated, dominate the front view. Wap-around rear light units and a strong character line below the rear window further seperate the 5-door from the Pininfarina-designed Forenza/Nubira/Optra/Excelle/Lacetti sedans.

The new Lacetti continues the trend towards longer, wider vehicles in the compact class exemplified by it being currently the longest of the new European 5-doors (4295 mm / 169.1"). GM Daewoo claims excellent space utilization provides very generous interior room for a vehicle in this class, with 932 mm / 36.7" of legroom in the rear. The trunk volume is 275 L/9.7 cu-ft (VDA standard) and, with the rear bench folded down, it rises to 1,045 liters when loaded to the roof.

Buyers have a choice of three 16V, DOHC four-cylinder E-TEC gasoline engines in Europe (1.4-1.8L), but can only choose the 2.0L in North America.

Here's the breakdown:

Daewoo/Chevy Lacetti:
1.4 L SE - 94 hp (69 kW) at 6300 rpm
1.6 L SX - 109 hp (80 kW) at 5800 rpm
1.8 L CDX - 122 hp (90 kW) at 5800 rpm (produced by Holden)

Holden Viva, Suzuki Reno, Chevy Optra5:
2.0 L - 119 hp (89 kW) at 5600 rpm (Canada)
2.0 L - 127 hp (94 kW) at 5600 rpm (US)

The CDX model, although slightly underpowered compared to the North American Reno/Optra5, are a bit more technologically advanced, because they carry such things as an equalizer that sits underneath the head unit, as well as electronic climate control (instead of standard HVAC controls).

The chassis has undergone rigorous testing, notching up nearly two million kilometers. In combination with the torsion-resistant body, it guarantees excellent handling and a high level of active safety. The new model has a sophisticated independent suspension with McPherson struts on both axles. The lower wheel control at the front is taken care of by an A-frame arm, while at the back, two additional wishbones and a trailing arm link each wheel precisely to the chassis. Four disc brakes and a standard four-channel ABS make for good braking performance. Front and side airbags and five three-point safety belts with belt force limiters at the front are fitted as standard for passenger protection.

The car is an international co-production.being manufactured at GM Daewoo's modern Gunsan facility in South Korea. Albeit made there, European influence during its development was considerable. With its stylish Italian design from Giugiaro and its thorough chassis tuning at Millbrook in England it is geared exactly to the needs of the compact market.

In Europe the car was initially sold as Daewoo Lacetti, but by the end of the 2004 it was rebadged as a Chevrolet. As with its home market, in some European markets, the Lacetti name is also used for the entire range of sedan, station wagon and hatchback models on the same J-series platform.

Depending on the country, the Lacetti range may be divided into two separate lines. In many export markets, the Lacetti name first appeared solely on the five-door hatchback. Visually identical models are also sold under the names Chevrolet Optra5 in Canada, India, Arabia and South Africa; Suzuki Reno in the United States; Buick Excelle HRV in China; and as the Holden Viva in Australia.