The Chevrolet Lumina is a name used on many vehicles produced by Chevrolet.
First introduced for the 1990 model year; Chevrolet used the name on a
sedan, a coupé and a minivan. The sedan replaced the Chevrolet Celebrity, the
coupé replaced the Monte Carlo, and the minivan was both a replacement for the
Celebrity station wagon and a completely new vehicle. The Lumina coupé was
replaced by the 1995 Monte Carlo, the Lumina minivan was replaced by the 1997
Chevrolet Venture, and the Lumina sedan was replaced by the 2000 model year
Impala in 1999 in the U.S. and Canada; in Mexico, it was replaced with the
Chevrolet Caprice. First generation
The North American Chevrolet Lumina was based on the mid-size GM W platform,
which was shared with the Pontiac Grand Prix, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, Buick
Regal and Buick Century. Although the Lumina became a popular seller, GM was
widely criticized in the motoring press for being late to the game in
introducing a direct aero-designed competitor to the Ford Taurus.
Ironically, the "Lumina" name was considered by Ford in the pre-production
stage of the Taurus. The Chevrolet Lumina's first generation ended
production in August of 1994, making this the shortest-lived generation of
the first-generation GM W-body cars. In 1989, the Lumina became the nameplate
under which Chevrolets were raced in NASCAR, more than a year before the
model was available to the public. = Specifications=
Front Head Room 39.9 in. Front Hip Room 51.9 in.
Front Shoulder 59.9 in. Front Leg 49.9 in.
Fuel Tank 16.5 gallons = Engines=
1990–1992 2.5 L Iron Duke I4 1993–1994 2.2 L 122 I4
1990–1994 3.1 L LHO V6 1991–1994 3.4 L DOHC LQ1 V6
= Lumina Z34= Starting in 1990, Chevrolet offered a
high performance version of the Lumina, the Lumina Z34. In order to enhance its
performance it came standard with the FE3 sport suspension package, the 210 hp
LQ1 V6 engine shared with the Lumina Euro 3.4, the five speed Getrag 284
manual transmission, dual exhaust and four-wheel anti-lock brakes. The Z34
also featured cosmetic changes to go along with the performance enhancements
such as unique front and rear fascias, side skirts, a rear spoiler, a louvered
hood, a unique steering wheel and sport bucket seats. Performance figures were
quite impressive for a front wheel drive V6 engine powered car, with a 0-60 mph
time of 7.5 seconds, a 1/4 mile time of 15.5 seconds, a top speed of 130 mph, a
60-0 mph distance of in 153 ft, and a lateral acceleration of 0.79 g's. A Bose
stereo system and automatic transmission, which lowered the
horsepower rating to 200 and 0-60 time by a .5 seconds, were optional. The only
paint colors available for the Z34 were white, red, black, gray, silver, and
light blue. In 1995, the Lumina Z34 was replaced with the Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Z34. = Production=
= Safety= Second generation
General Motors began development of an updated Lumina in 1989, under chief
engineer Norm Sholler, planned for a late 1992 launch. By 1991, a final body
design was approved. Development eventually took longer than planned,
delaying launch by 18 months. The redesigned Lumina was unveiled at 1995
Los Angeles Auto Show in January 1994 as a 1995 model. The 1995 Lumina had
received a rounded body, increasing its size and an updated interior. Unlike its
other W platform counterparts, the Lumina retained the first-generation
chassis. Replacing the Lumina two-door was a resurrected Monte Carlo. The LH0
V6 was dropped in favor of the L82 V6, known as the 3100 SFI; the latter engine
produced 20 more horsepower from the same displacement thanks to a revised
intake manifold and cylinder heads. Initial trim levels consisted of base
and LS; the latter replacing the "Euro" trim. Options included an electric
sunroof, leather bucket seats, power windows, power driver seat, and an AM/FM
stereo with CD player. This Lumina was also sold with police and taxi packages,
due to the Chevrolet Caprice being discontinued after the 1996 model year.
Production began on Monte Carlo coupes in February 1994 and March 7, 1994 for
Lumina sedans at GM's Oshawa manufacturing plant, for a June 6, 1994
market launch for the latter model. The LTZ trim was introduced in 1996 for
the 1997 model year to soften the blow from the discontinued Impala SS and
Caprice. Its standard features included 16" brushed aluminum wheels, blackwall
radial sport tires, sport tuned suspension, a 3.1 L V6 rated at 160 hp
and 185 lb·ft or an optional 3.4 L V6 rated at 215 hp and 220 lb·ft of torque,
a rear spoiler, restyled front and rear body clips, a tachometer, and a
floor-mounted shifter. In 1997 for MY 1998, the 3.4 L V6 was
replaced by the 3800 Series II which made 200 hp and 225 lb·ft torque.
Despite its increased torque, the 3.8 liter LTZ demonstrated slightly worse
performance due to its lowered horsepower, with 0-60 mph times of 7.5
seconds and 1/4 mile times of 15.7 seconds. The car has a computer-limited
top speed of 107 mph and the rev limiter kicks in at 5800 rpm for the 3.8L.
Also in 1997, the 1998 model year Luminas received second generation
airbags. The front-wheel drive Chevrolet Impala was introduced as a replacement
for the Lumina in 1999, although GM did produce 2001 model year Luminas to be
exclusively sold for rental fleets. Retail sales of the Lumina ended in
Canada in 1999, with the United States following suit a year later. Fleet
production ended on April 26, 2001. In some Asian countries, the Lumina
continued as a rebadged Buick Century/Regal.
= Specification levels= Throughout its lifecycle, the second
generation Lumina was available in three trim levels:
Base: The most popular Lumina, the base model came well equipped for its price
point. It had standard front row bench seat which upped seating to six, power
locks, tilt steering wheel, dual airbags, and air conditioning. Base
models were equipped with fifteen-inch steel wheels with wheel covers.
LS: Second highest trim level, LS models offered aluminum wheels, optional dual
zone temperature controls, power windows, tachometer, higher-end stereo
with GM's Delcolock, anti-lock brakes, remote keyless entry system, upgraded
seats, and an optional 3.4 L DOHC engine or 3.8 L 3800 V6.
LTZ: The top of the line Lumina which included alloy wheels, a choice of the
3.1 L V6 engine, 3.4L DOHC engine or 3.8 L V6 engine, power driver seat, dual
zone climate control and leather with the option for deluxe cloth. A center
console was standard on LTZ. To differentiate itself aesthetically from
the lesser models, it received the front end, trunk lid and taillights from the
Fifth Generation Chevrolet Monte Carlo. = Engines=
1995–1999 3.1 L L82 V6 1995–1997 3.4 L DOHC(207 in³) LQ1 V6
1998–1999 3.8 L L36 V6 2000–2001 3.1 L LG8 V6
= Production= = Safety=
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety NHTSA
References External links