Borgward Hansa 2400: which version to buy
The Borgward Hansa 2400 is a three-generation line (1952–1958) with five catalogue versions. If the question is which one to choose, the data split is simple: one Fastback 2.4 MT in 1 generation, then Sedan 2.4 MT and 2.4 AT pairs in 2 generation and 3 generation.
The Borgward Hansa 2400 is a three-generation line (1952–1958) with five catalogue versions. If the question is which one to choose, the data split is simple: one Fastback 2.4 MT in 1 generation, then Sedan 2.4 MT and 2.4 AT pairs in 2 generation and 3 generation. All five share a 2337 cc Gasoline Inline 6, Carburetor feed, Front, longitudinal placement, No boost, 2 valves per cylinder, RWD, a 50-litre tank, and Drum brakes front and rear. Fuel consumption, CO2, eco class, and wheel sizes are not measured on every version. What actually changes is body, gearbox, power, weight, 0–100, top speed, ground clearance, and rear suspension.
Specs that decide a Hansa 2400 purchase
| Version (generation) | hp / Nm | Displacement | Fuel / cylinders / layout / boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 MT (1 generation, Fastback) | 80 hp, 157 Nm | 2337 cc | Gasoline, 6, Inline, No | Manual, 3 | RWD |
| 2.4 MT (2 generation, Sedan) | 80 hp, 157 Nm | 2337 cc | Gasoline, 6, Inline, No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 2.4 AT (2 generation, Sedan) | 80 hp, 157 Nm | 2337 cc | Gasoline, 6, Inline, No | Automatic, 2 | RWD |
| 2.4 MT (3 generation, Sedan) | 99 hp, 165 Nm | 2337 cc | Gasoline, 6, Inline, No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 2.4 AT (3 generation, Sedan) | 99 hp, 165 Nm | 2337 cc | Gasoline, 6, Inline, No | Automatic, 2 | RWD |
Power per litre on the 80 hp trio is 80 ÷ 2.337 ≈ 34.2 hp/l. On the 99 hp pair it is 99 ÷ 2.337 ≈ 42.4 hp/l. Compression ratio is the only engine figure that moves with that jump: 6.9 on 1 generation and 2 generation, 8.1 on 3 generation. Bore and stroke stay 78 × 81.5 mm; torque peak stays at 2400 rpm.
Generations: what actually changed
1 generation (1952-01-01 to 1955-07-31) is the only Fastback and the only one-version generation: 2.4 MT. Independent, spring suspension at both ends, 3-speed Manual, kerb 1440 kg, gross 1800 kg, ground clearance 194 mm. It is the lightest Hansa 2400 in the table.
2 generation (1955-08-01 to 1956-12-31) is a Sedan with two versions. Rear suspension becomes Independent, leaf spring. 2.4 MT gains a 4-speed Manual but also 100 kg of kerb weight versus 1 generation (1540 vs 1440 kg). 2.4 AT is the first Automatic: 2 speeds, 1580 kg kerb, 180 mm clearance (14 mm lower than the 194 mm of both 80 hp manuals).
3 generation (1957-01-01 to 1958-12-31) keeps the Sedan, the 4-speed Manual / 2-speed Automatic split, Independent, spring front and Independent, leaf spring rear, and 180 mm clearance on both versions. The engine is the same 2337 cc unit at a higher output: 99 hp at 5000 rpm (was 4500) and 165 Nm at 2400 rpm. Kerb weights are 1575 kg (2.4 MT) and 1615 kg (2.4 AT).
Performance and mpg: measured vs not measured
0–100 km/h and top speed are measured; city, highway, and mixed consumption are not measured on all five versions, so mpg cannot be used as a buying filter.
- 2.4 MT 1 generation: 19 s, 150 km/h
- 2.4 MT 2 generation: 20 s, 150 km/h
- 2.4 AT 2 generation: 24 s, 145 km/h
- 2.4 MT 3 generation: 18 s, 160 km/h
- 2.4 AT 3 generation: 22 s, 148 km/h
The fastest 0–100 is the 3 generation 2.4 MT at 18 s. Versus the 1 generation 2.4 MT that is 1 s quicker; versus the 2 generation 2.4 MT it is 2 s quicker. The slowest is the 2 generation 2.4 AT at 24 s — 6 s behind the 3 generation manual and 5 s behind the first Fastback.
Top speed peaks at 160 km/h on 3 generation 2.4 MT. The Automatics sit 5–12 km/h below their matching manuals: 145 vs 150 in 2 generation, 148 vs 160 in 3 generation. The Automatic in 3 generation still beats the Automatic in 2 generation by 3 km/h and 2 s to 100 km/h, on 19 extra hp and 8 extra Nm.
Weight per horsepower (kerb ÷ hp):
- 1 generation 2.4 MT: 1440 ÷ 80 = 18.0 kg/hp
- 2 generation 2.4 MT: 1540 ÷ 80 = 19.3 kg/hp
- 2 generation 2.4 AT: 1580 ÷ 80 = 19.8 kg/hp
- 3 generation 2.4 MT: 1575 ÷ 99 = 15.9 kg/hp
- 3 generation 2.4 AT: 1615 ÷ 99 = 16.3 kg/hp
The 2 generation Sedan is the worst kg/hp pairing: more mass, same 80 hp. The 3 generation manual is the best: 19 extra hp more than offsets the 135 kg it carries over the Fastback (1575 − 1440).
Dimensions and weight: clearance, tank, wheels
Tank volume is 50 litres on every version. Wheel sizes are not measured. Ground clearance is 194 mm on 1 generation 2.4 MT and 2 generation 2.4 MT, and 180 mm on both Automatics and both 3 generation cars.
Gross weights: 1800 kg (1 gen 2.4 MT), 1900 kg (2 gen 2.4 MT), 1940 kg (2 gen 2.4 AT), 1925 kg (3 gen 2.4 MT), 1965 kg (3 gen 2.4 AT). Payload (gross − kerb) is 360 kg on 1 generation 2.4 MT, 360 kg on 2 generation 2.4 MT, 360 kg on 2 generation 2.4 AT, 350 kg on 3 generation 2.4 MT, 350 kg on 3 generation 2.4 AT. Choosing 3 generation costs 10 kg of payload versus the 80 hp cars.
Which version to choose
Choose 3 generation 2.4 MT if the numbers that matter are speed and load per horsepower. It is the only version with 99 hp, 165 Nm, 18 s to 100 km/h, and 160 km/h. Versus 1 generation 2.4 MT you give up the Fastback body, 3-speed Manual, all-spring Independent, spring rear, 194 mm clearance, and 135 kg of lightness, and you gain 19 hp, 8 Nm, one extra gear, 1 s on 0–100, and 10 km/h on top speed. Compression 8.1 versus 6.9 is the engine change that accompanies that 19 hp.
Choose 1 generation 2.4 MT if the Fastback body and the lowest kerb weight are the point. It is the only Fließheck-style Fastback in this catalogue set, the only 3-speed Manual, and the only car with Independent, spring rear. At 1440 kg it is 100 kg lighter than 2 generation 2.4 MT and 175 kg lighter than 3 generation 2.4 AT. 0–100 of 19 s beats both 2 generation versions and loses only 1 s to the later 99 hp manual. Top speed matches 2 generation 2.4 MT at 150 km/h. There is no Automatic in this generation.
Choose 2 generation 2.4 MT only if you need a Sedan with the 80 hp engine and 194 mm clearance. Against 1 generation 2.4 MT the extra gear (4 vs 3) is the mechanical gain; the cost is 100 kg, 1 s slower to 100 km/h, leaf-spring rear, and the Fastback gone. Against 3 generation 2.4 MT it is 19 hp down, 2 s slower, 10 km/h slower on top speed, and 0.4 kg/hp worse (19.3 vs 15.9), with 35 kg less kerb weight as the only mass advantage.
Choose 3 generation 2.4 AT if you want Automatic and the stronger engine. Versus 2 generation 2.4 AT you get 19 hp, 8 Nm, 2 s off 0–100 (22 vs 24), 3 km/h more top speed (148 vs 145), and 35 kg more kerb (1615 vs 1580). Both Automatics are 2-speed, both sit at 180 mm clearance, both use Independent, leaf spring rear. Versus the matching 3 generation 2.4 MT, the Automatic costs 4 s to 100 km/h (22 vs 18), 12 km/h of top speed (148 vs 160), and 40 kg (1615 vs 1575).
Avoid 2 generation 2.4 AT if performance is the filter. It is the slowest (24 s, 145 km/h), heaviest kg/hp among the 80 hp cars (19.8), and it already has the lower 180 mm clearance. The Automatic convenience is the same 2-speed layout you can take later with 99 hp.
Pullman / Pullman limousine names do not appear as separate versions in this data, so they cannot be ranked. Asking price and for-sale listings are not measured here; the comparison above is only kerb, hp, gears, 0–100, top speed, clearance, and body type.
Short ranking on the measured figures: 3 generation 2.4 MT first for power and pace; 1 generation 2.4 MT first for Fastback, lightness, and 194 mm with all-spring Independent suspension; 3 generation 2.4 AT first among Automatics; 2 generation 2.4 MT as the 80 hp Sedan with 4 gears and 194 mm; 2 generation 2.4 AT last on every performance number we have. Fuel use remains not measured, so economy cannot break a tie.