Kretel K-Series

The Kretel K-Series is a series of cars produced by Kretel over a span of 40 years, from 1953 until 1993.

## First Generation (K100, 1954-1962)

The Kretel K100 was the first generation of the Kretel K-Series Vehicles. Produced from 1953 until 1962, it was also the first vehicle ever produced by Kretel, and was an instant success.

Each of the K100 variants were introduced 1 year after the previous. The production runs are listed below.

## Body and chassis

### Body styles

2-door coupe4-door sedan

4-door station wagon

2-door panel van

## Powertrain

### Engine

K100 I4K100 I4 S

**Trim Levels:**

* 1954-1957 K100 W (Wagon)
* 1955-1957 K100 F (Family / Sedan)
* 1956-1958 K100 GT (Sport / Coupe)
* 1957-1962 K100 V (Van)

The V (Van) Variant was similar to the Wagon variant, with only 2 doors, (plus a rear door), and no side rear windows. It had a raised rear roof for easier access.

## Second Generation (K200, 1958-1968)

The Kretel K200 was the second generation of the Kretel K-Series Vehicles. Produced from 1957 until 1968, it was another successful generation. In 1965, a facelift was introduced, which was standard on the Kretel K200 V.

Each of the K200 variants were introduced 1 year after the previous, with the exception of the *K200 V Van Variant*, which was 2 years after the end of the other variants. The production runs are listed below.

## Body and chassis

### Body styles

4-door sedan4-door station wagon

2-door panel van

## Powertrain

### Engine

K200 I4

**Trim Levels:**

* 1958-1964 K200 W (Wagon)
* 1959-1964 K200 F (Family / Sedan)
* 1966-1968 K200 V (Van)

The V (Van) Variant was similar to the Wagon variant, however the entire body style was different: It was an updated design not seen on any other Kretel K-Series vehicle. This trim was special as it was produced one year after the start of the third generation, however it was still a second generation vehicle. Some people consider it the K3 Van, however the K3 Van was a vehicle that was produced, also once again later in the entire lineup's production. The K200 V featured an overall updated design, once again the 2-door panel van layout, and an updated likeness to the other K200 vehicles. It had, also once again, a raised roof for easier access.

## Third Generation (K3, 1965-1972)

The Kretel K3 was the third generation of the Kretel K-Series Vehicles. Produced from 1964 until 1972, it was another successful generation.

Each of the K3 variants were introduced in the same year except for the *K3 Cargo Variant*, which was introduced 5 years after the start of the *Wagon* and *Family* Variants. The production runs are listed below.

## Body and chassis

### Body styles

4-door sedan4-door station wagon

2-door panel van

## Powertrain

### Engine

K3 I4

**Trim Levels:**

* 1965-1969 K3 Wagon
* 1965-1969 K3 Family (Sedan)
* 1969-1972 K3 Cargo (Van)

The K3 Cargo Variant was produced at the end of the other K3 vehicle lineup's production. It once again was similar to the K3 Wagon, however it was once again a 2-door panel van, with a raised roof for easier access.

## Fourth Generation (K4, 1971-1976)

The Kretel K4 was the fourth generation of the Kretel K-Series Vehicles. Produced from 1970 until 1976, it was another successful generation.

Each of the K4 variants were introduced in the same year except for the *Cargo* Variant, which was introduced a year later. The production runs are listed below.

## Body and chassis

### Body styles

4-door sedan4-door station wagon

2-door panel van

## Powertrain

### Engine

K4 I4

**Trim Levels:**

* 1971-1976 K4 Wagon
* 1971-1976 K4 Family (Sedan)
* 1972-1976 K4 Cargo (Van)

The K4 Cargo Variant for this generation of the K-Series lineup was drastically different from any others. After many years of the delayed production of van variants, the K4 Cargo became a sort of entirely different car altogether. It was nothing like any of the other K4 vehicles, with very few design similarities. It was planned to be a transition towards an entirely different vehicle lineup of vans produced by Kretel.

## Fifth Generation (K5, 1978-1984)

The Kretel K5 was the fifth generation of the Kretel K-Series Vehicles. Produced from 1977 until 1984, it was another successful generation.

Each of the K5 variants were introduced in the same year except for the *Cargo* Variant, which was introduced a year later. The production runs are listed below.

## Body and chassis

### Body styles

4-door sedan4-door station wagon

4-door panel van

### Suspension

MacPherson Strut (F)Semi Trailing Arm (R)

## Performance

### Top speed

~100.2 mph

**Trim Levels:**

* 1978-1984 K5 Wagon
* 1978-1984 K5 Family (Sedan)
* 1979-1984 K5 Cargo (Van)

The Cargo Variant was the same as the Wagon Variant, with the exception of the rear side glass still being the metal cutout panels, and the rear hatch door being replaced with double barn van doors. The rear seats were removed, leaving only the front two seats. It was different from other Kretel K-Series vans in that it had had rear side doors as well, making it a 4-door panel van rather than a 2-door one.

## Sixth Generation (K6, 1985-1992)

The Kretel K6 was the sixth and final generation of the Kretel K-Series Vehicles. Produced from 1984 until 1992, it was successful from 1985 until around 1989 - 1990, when sales began to level out. By 1991 sales started to decline, and by 1992 they were declining even more rapidly, causing Kretel to cease the vehicles from production.

Each of the K6 variants were introduced in the same year except for the *Cargo* Variant, which was introduced a year later. The production runs are listed below.

## Body and chassis

### Body styles

4-door sedan4-door station wagon

2-door panel van

## Performance

### Top speed

~102.7 - 110.1 mph

**Trim Levels:**

* 1985-1992 K6 Wagon
* 1985-1992 K6 Family (Sedan)
* 1986-1992 K6 Cargo (Van)

**Van Variant**

The van variant was introduced a year later in 1986.

    **1989 Facelift**

In December 1988, a facelift was issued for the 1989 Model Year. This facelift was used until the end of production of the K-Series and the K6 in 1992.