Chevrolet Metro: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Chevrolet Metro in this catalogue is a Sedan produced from 1998 through 2001 in a single generation. The main choice is between the 1.0 MT, with a 993 cc Gasoline engine producing 56 hp, and the 1.3 MT or 1.3 AT, both with 1,299 cc Gasoline engines producing 79 hp.
The Chevrolet Metro in this catalogue is a Sedan produced from 1998 through 2001 in a single generation. The main choice is between the 1.0 MT, with a 993 cc Gasoline engine producing 56 hp, and the 1.3 MT or 1.3 AT, both with 1,299 cc Gasoline engines producing 79 hp. The 1.0 MT is the lighter, lower-output option; the 1.3 MT combines the highest recorded top speed with a 5-speed Manual; and the 1.3 AT trades that gearbox for a 3-speed Automatic. Because two distinct entries share each 1.3 name, buyers should compare torque, valve count, kerb weight, and ground clearance rather than relying on the version badge alone.
Chevrolet Metro generations and version choice
The Chevrolet Metro has 1 generation in the supplied data. This generation ran from 1998 to 2001, used a Sedan body, and contains 5 listed versions. There is therefore no inter-generation mechanical comparison to make: a Chevrolet Metro 1998, 1999, 2000, or 2001 in this catalogue belongs to the same generation. The meaningful differences are between its engine and transmission specifications.
The catalogue lists the names 1.3 MT and 1.3 AT twice. Both 1.3 MT entries produce 79 hp and 102 Nm, but their recorded kerb weights differ: one is 915 kg and the other is 885 kg. Both 1.3 AT entries produce 79 hp, although one has 102 Nm with 2 valves per cylinder and the other has 99 Nm with 4 valves per cylinder. Their recorded ground clearances are also different at 165 mm and 160 mm.
Chevrolet Metro engine and specs
All listed engines are Gasoline, Inline, naturally aspirated units with a Front, transverse installation and Distributed injection (multi-point). Every version is FWD.
| Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Valves per cylinder | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 MT | 56 hp / 41 kW at 5700 rpm | 78 Nm at 3300 rpm | 993 cc | Gasoline; grade not measured | 3, Inline | 2 | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.3 MT, 915 kg | 79 hp / 58 kW at 6000 rpm | 102 Nm at 3000 rpm | 1299 cc | Gasoline; grade not measured | 4, Inline | 2 | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.3 MT, 885 kg | 79 hp / 58 kW at 6000 rpm | 102 Nm at 3000 rpm | 1299 cc | Gasoline; grade not measured | 4, Inline | 2 | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.3 AT, 102 Nm | 79 hp / 58 kW at 6000 rpm | 102 Nm at 3000 rpm | 1299 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 4, Inline | 2 | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1.3 AT, 99 Nm | 79 hp / 58 kW at 6000 rpm | 99 Nm at 3000 rpm | 1299 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 4, Inline | 4 | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
Moving from the 1.0 MT to any 1.3 version adds 306 cc and 23 hp. That is about 41% more power, while displacement rises by about 31%. Calculated from the supplied figures, the 1.0 MT produces about 56.4 hp per litre, whereas each 1.3 version produces about 60.8 hp per litre.
The torque increase is 24 Nm when comparing the 1.0 MT with either 102 Nm 1.3 version, or 21 Nm when comparing it with the 99 Nm 1.3 AT. The 1.3 engines also reach their stated torque peak at 3000 rpm, compared with 3300 rpm for the 1.0 MT.
Chevrolet Metro performance and mpg
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is not measured for the 1.0 MT, either 1.3 MT entry, or either 1.3 AT entry. City fuel consumption is not measured for all 5 versions. Highway fuel consumption is not measured for all 5 versions, and combined fuel consumption is not measured for all 5 versions. Consequently, Chevrolet Metro mpg cannot be compared from the supplied catalogue data.
The recorded top speed is 145 km/h for the 1.0 MT and 165 km/h for both 1.3 MT entries, giving the 1.3 MT a 20 km/h advantage. Top speed is not measured for either 1.3 AT entry, so the Automatic cannot be ranked against the Manual versions on this figure.
The available kerb-weight figures provide another useful comparison. The 1.0 MT weighs 875 kg, equivalent to about 15.6 kg per horsepower. The 885 kg 1.3 MT works out to about 11.2 kg per horsepower, and the 915 kg 1.3 MT to about 11.6 kg per horsepower. The 860 kg 1.3 AT with 99 Nm works out to about 10.9 kg per horsepower. Kerb weight is not measured for the 1.3 AT with 102 Nm, so its weight-to-power figure cannot be calculated.
These ratios do not replace measured acceleration, which is unavailable. They simply show how much recorded kerb weight each stated horsepower must move.
Chevrolet Metro dimensions, weight, and clearance
| Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 MT | 875 kg | not measured | not measured | 39 L | not measured |
| 1.3 MT, 915 kg | 915 kg | not measured | not measured | 39 L | not measured |
| 1.3 MT, 885 kg | 885 kg | not measured | not measured | 39 L | not measured |
| 1.3 AT, 102 Nm | not measured | not measured | 165 mm | 39 L | not measured |
| 1.3 AT, 99 Nm | 860 kg | not measured | 160 mm | 39 L | not measured |
The fuel tank is 39 L for every listed Chevrolet Metro version. Gross weight and wheel sizes are not measured for any version. Among the versions with measured kerb weight, the range runs from 860 kg for the 1.3 AT with 99 Nm to 915 kg for one 1.3 MT, a difference of 55 kg.
Ground clearance is measured only for the Automatic entries. The 1.3 AT with 102 Nm has 165 mm, which is 5 mm more than the 160 mm recorded for the 1.3 AT with 99 Nm. Ground clearance is not measured for the 1.0 MT or either 1.3 MT.
Every version has Independent, spring front suspension, Disc front brakes, and Drum rear brakes. Independent, spring rear suspension is recorded for both 1.3 AT entries; rear-suspension data is not measured for the 1.0 MT and both 1.3 MT entries.
Chevrolet Metro reliability and problems data
Reliability scores, repair histories, and problem records are not measured in the supplied data. The catalogue therefore cannot substantiate claims about 1999 Chevrolet Metro reliability, 2000 Chevrolet Metro reliability, or whether one version has fewer problems than another.
The specifications can identify mechanical differences, but they cannot prove durability. In particular, the available figures do not establish whether the 5-speed Manual or 3-speed Automatic is more reliable. Those gearboxes should be chosen here according to transmission preference and the measured specifications, not an unsupported reliability ranking.
Which Chevrolet Metro version should you buy?
Choose the 1.0 MT if the priority is the smaller engine and a 5-speed Manual. It has a 993 cc, 3-cylinder Inline engine with 56 hp and 78 Nm. Its recorded 875 kg kerb weight is 10 kg lower than the lighter 1.3 MT entry and 40 kg lower than the heavier one. The trade-off is 23 hp and 24 Nm less than the 102 Nm 1.3 versions, together with a recorded top speed that is 20 km/h lower than the 1.3 MT figure.
Choose a 1.3 MT if you want the strongest fully documented performance combination. Both entries pair 79 hp and 102 Nm with a 5-speed Manual and have a recorded top speed of 165 km/h. If the two otherwise matching entries can be verified against a specific car, the 885 kg record is preferable on the catalogue figures because it is 30 kg lighter than the 915 kg record with no loss of stated power or torque.
Choose the 1.3 AT with 102 Nm if an Automatic and the higher recorded clearance matter most. It combines a 3-speed Automatic with 79 hp, 102 Nm, and 165 mm of ground clearance. Its kerb weight and top speed are not measured.
Choose the 1.3 AT with 99 Nm if you want an Automatic with the lowest recorded kerb weight. It has 79 hp, 99 Nm, 4 valves per cylinder, a recorded weight of 860 kg, and 160 mm of ground clearance. Compared with the other 1.3 AT, it gives up 3 Nm and 5 mm of clearance. Its calculated 10.9 kg per horsepower is the best ratio among entries with measured weight, but acceleration and top speed are not measured.
On the evidence available, the 1.3 MT is the clearest all-round specification choice: it adds 23 hp over the 1.0 MT, retains the 5-speed Manual, and is the only 1.3 transmission with a measured 165 km/h top speed. Buyers who require an Automatic should distinguish the two 1.3 AT records carefully—102 Nm and 165 mm clearance for one, versus 99 Nm, 4 valves per cylinder, 860 kg, and 160 mm clearance for the other.