Austin FL2: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Austin FL2 catalogue contains one generation, one Sedan body style and two versions, both named 2.2 MT. The choice is therefore between powertrains rather than generations or body types: a 2,178 cm³ Diesel with 55 hp and 121 Nm, or a 2,199 cm³ Gasoline engine with 68 hp and 164 Nm. Both have a 4-speed Manual gearbox, RWD, a 1,600 kg kerb weight and a 55-litre tank.
The Austin FL2 catalogue contains one generation, one Sedan body style and two versions, both named 2.2 MT. The choice is therefore between powertrains rather than generations or body types: a 2,178 cm³ Diesel with 55 hp and 121 Nm, or a 2,199 cm³ Gasoline engine with 68 hp and 164 Nm. Both have a 4-speed Manual gearbox, RWD, a 1,600 kg kerb weight and a 55-litre tank. On the available figures, the 68 hp Gasoline version is the stronger choice: it has 13 hp and 43 Nm more than the Diesel and reaches a top speed 25 km/h higher. Fuel consumption was not measured for either version, however, so the data cannot establish which one is more economical.
Austin FL2 generations and versions
There is only one Austin FL2 generation in the catalogue, produced from 1958 to 1978. It was offered as a Sedan and contains two versions. No comparison between generations or restylings is possible because the supplied data lists no additional generation or restyling.
The two entries share the exact version name 2.2 MT, so they must be distinguished by output and fuel type: 2.2 MT, 55 hp Diesel and 2.2 MT, 68 hp Gasoline. Their production periods are also identical, running from 1958 to 1978.
Austin FL2 engine and specs comparison
| Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 MT, 55 hp | 55 hp (41 kW) at 3,500 rpm | 121 Nm at 2,800 rpm | 2,178 cm³ | Diesel | 4 | Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| 2.2 MT, 68 hp | 68 hp (50 kW) at 3,800 rpm | 164 Nm at 1,700 rpm | 2,199 cm³ | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
The displacement difference is only 21 cm³, but the Gasoline 2.2 MT develops 13 hp more and 43 Nm more. Its peak torque also arrives 1,100 rpm earlier: 1,700 rpm rather than the Diesel version’s 2,800 rpm.
Calculated from the supplied displacement and output figures, the 55 hp Diesel produces about 25.3 hp per litre, while the 68 hp Gasoline version produces about 30.9 hp per litre. The Gasoline version therefore delivers roughly 5.6 hp per litre more.
The Diesel 2.2 MT has a compression ratio of 20 and an 82.55 × 101.6 mm bore and stroke. The Gasoline 2.2 MT has a compression ratio of 6.85 and a 79.4 × 111.1 mm bore and stroke. Both engines have 2 valves per cylinder and no boost.
Austin FL2 performance and economy
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 MT, 55 hp Diesel | not measured | 95 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2.2 MT, 68 hp Gasoline | not measured | 120 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The Gasoline 2.2 MT has the clear performance advantage in the figures available. Its 120 km/h top speed is 25 km/h higher than the Diesel version’s 95 km/h.
Acceleration from 0–100 km/h was not measured for either version. City, highway and combined fuel consumption were also not measured for either powertrain. Consequently, no mpg or fuel-cost comparison can be supported by the supplied data. CO₂ emissions and environmental class were not measured as well.
Austin FL2 dimensions and weight
| Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 MT, 55 hp Diesel | 1,600 kg | not measured | not measured | 55 litres | not measured |
| 2.2 MT, 68 hp Gasoline | 1,600 kg | not measured | not measured | 55 litres | not measured |
Both Austin FL2 versions weigh 1,600 kg and carry the same 55-litre tank. Because their kerb weights are identical, power-to-weight calculations favour the Gasoline model. The Diesel version carries about 29.1 kg per horsepower, compared with about 23.5 kg per horsepower for the Gasoline version. That gives the 68 hp car approximately 5.6 kg less weight for each horsepower.
Gross weight, ground clearance and wheel sizes were not measured. Overall exterior dimensions were not measured either, so there is no numerical size difference to compare between these two versions.
Both versions use Independent, spring front suspension and Drum front and rear brakes. Rear-suspension specification was not measured.
Which Austin FL2 version should you buy?
Choose the 2.2 MT, 68 hp Gasoline if performance is the main criterion. Compared with the 2.2 MT, 55 hp Diesel, it provides 13 hp more, 43 Nm more and a 25 km/h higher top speed. It also has the better calculated output per litre—about 30.9 hp per litre versus 25.3 hp per litre—and the better calculated weight per horsepower—about 23.5 kg/hp versus 29.1 kg/hp. Its 164 Nm torque peak occurs at 1,700 rpm, while the Diesel’s 121 Nm peak occurs at 2,800 rpm.
Choose the 2.2 MT, 55 hp Diesel only if the Diesel fuel type itself suits the intended purchase better. The available data does not show a measurable economy advantage: city, highway and combined consumption are all not measured. It also does not provide prices, so there is no evidence that the lower-output version costs less or offers better value.
In shared hardware, neither version gains an advantage. Both are Sedan models with 4-speed Manual transmissions, RWD, 1,600 kg kerb weights, 55-litre tanks, Independent, spring front suspension and Drum brakes at both ends. The decision therefore comes down to engine output. Based strictly on the catalogue figures, the 2.2 MT, 68 hp Gasoline is the more capable Austin FL2 and the stronger default choice.
Austin FL2 for sale: what to compare
When comparing an Austin FL2 for sale, verify which 2.2 MT is being offered, because the version name alone does not identify the engine. The decisive catalogue identifiers are 55 hp, 2,178 cm³ and Diesel, or 68 hp, 2,199 cm³ and Gasoline.
The supplied data contains no prices or individual sale listings, so it cannot determine what extra money buys or whether a particular car is fairly priced. Reliability records and known problems are also not measured. A purchase decision based on this dataset can compare specification and performance, but not condition, maintenance history, reliability or market value.