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The Chevrolet Vega (Pontiac's version was known as the Pontiac Astre) was a compact coupe and station wagon sold from 1971 through 1977 as a replacement for the ill-fated Chevrolet Corvair. It was based on the GM H platform and was followed by the 1975-1980 Chevrolet Monza. The Astre nameplate was available in Canada from 1971 through 1977, and in the U.S. from 1975 through 1977. The Vega 2300 was Motor Trend's Car of the Year for 1971.
All Vegas and Astres were equipped with a 2.3L "2300" SOHC I4. The standard engine used a single-barrel carburetor and produced 90hp, and a 2-barrel option boosted output to 110hp. These motors had alloy cylinder blocks with iron sleeves, along with a cast iron head; they were known to overheat and burn oil due to excessive cylinder wear.
The exception was the limited-edition 1975 Cosworth Vega, which used a fuel-injected DOHC 2.0L version of the engine built by Cosworth Engineering in England. Power output fell to 70hp in 1976.
The Vega was the first automobile that GM produced that offered front wheel disc brakes as standard equipment. It was also the first car that GM produced that used extensive use of robotic welding equipment.
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