Dacia 1310: Which Version Should You Choose?
The Dacia 1310 range consists of a single Sedan generation produced from 1979 to 2004, with 11 listed versions. Because every version is front-wheel drive, Gasoline-powered and manually shifted, the main buying decision is between the 1.4 MT and 1.6 MT engines—and then between the different outputs, fuel systems and weights found under those identical version names.
The Dacia 1310 range consists of a single Sedan generation produced from 1979 to 2004, with 11 listed versions. Because every version is front-wheel drive, Gasoline-powered and manually shifted, the main buying decision is between the 1.4 MT and 1.6 MT engines—and then between the different outputs, fuel systems and weights found under those identical version names. The 1.4 MT options produce 54–63 hp, while the 1.6 MT versions offer 72–75 hp. For the strongest performance figures, choose a 1.6 MT with 72 hp or 75 hp and a listed top speed of 160 km/h. For the lowest kerb weight, the 54 hp 1.4 MT weighs 920 kg, although its 140 km/h top speed is also the lowest in the catalogue.
Dacia 1310 generations and versions
The Dacia 1310 has one generation in the supplied catalogue. The 1 generation ran from 1979 to 2004, used a Sedan body and contains 11 versions. There is therefore no comparison between successive generations: every buying choice falls within the same generation. The meaningful differences are engine displacement, output, torque, fuel delivery, transmission gear count, weight, tank capacity and the limited performance measurements available for individual versions.
Dacia 1310 engine specs comparison
All 11 versions use a naturally aspirated Gasoline engine with 4 Inline cylinders and 2 valves per cylinder. Every car is Manual and FWD. Repeated names are separated below by power and, where necessary, by torque, engine speed, fuel system or kerb weight.
| Exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 MT — 54 hp | 54 hp (40 kW) at 5250 rpm | 88 Nm at 3000 rpm | 1397 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.4 MT — 62 hp | 62 hp (46 kW) at 5000 rpm | 97 Nm at 3500 rpm | 1397 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.4 MT — 63 hp | 63 hp (46 kW) at 5250 rpm | 100 Nm at 3000 rpm | 1397 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.6 MT — 72 hp, 123 Nm | 72 hp (53 kW) at 5250 rpm | 123 Nm at 3000 rpm | 1557 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.6 MT — 72 hp, 116 Nm at 2500 rpm, 940 kg | 72 hp (53 kW) at 5000 rpm | 116 Nm at 2500 rpm | 1557 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.4 MT — 62 hp, 980 kg | 62 hp (46 kW) at 5000 rpm | 97 Nm at 3500 rpm | 1397 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.4 MT — 63 hp, Carburetor | 63 hp (46 kW) at 5000 rpm | 97 Nm at 3500 rpm | 1397 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.6 MT — 72 hp, 980 kg | 72 hp (53 kW) at 5000 rpm | 116 Nm at 2500 rpm | 1557 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.4 MT — 62 hp, 100 Nm | 62 hp (46 kW) at 5000 rpm | 100 Nm at 3000 rpm | 1397 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.6 MT — 72 hp, 160 km/h | 72 hp (53 kW) at 5000 rpm | 116 Nm at 2500 rpm | 1557 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.6 MT — 75 hp | 75 hp (55 kW) at 5500 rpm | 120 Nm at 3300 rpm | 1578 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
The 54 hp 1.4 MT is the only 4-speed version. Its output is about 38.7 hp per litre, and its 920 kg kerb weight equals roughly 17.0 kg per hp. The 1397 cc 1.4 MT engines with 62 hp provide about 44.4 hp per litre, while the 63 hp variants reach about 45.1 hp per litre.
Among the larger engines, the 1557 cc 1.6 MT versions with 72 hp deliver about 46.2 hp per litre. The 1578 cc 1.6 MT with 75 hp reaches about 47.5 hp per litre, the highest specific output in the range. Its 935 kg kerb weight works out to roughly 12.5 kg per hp, also the best weight-per-power result among the listed versions. The 960 kg, 72 hp 1.6 MT follows at about 13.3 kg per hp.
Fuel delivery creates another distinction. The 54 hp 1.4 MT, the 63 hp 1.4 MT with 97 Nm, the 62 hp 1.4 MT with 100 Nm, and the 75 hp 1.6 MT use a Carburetor. The remaining listed engines use Central injection (single-point or single- point). Where engine position is provided, it is Front, longitudinal; for the other versions, engine position is not measured.
Performance, top speed and fuel economy
| Exact version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 MT — 54 hp | not measured | 140 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.4 MT — 62 hp, 940 kg | not measured | 142 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.4 MT — 63 hp, 100 Nm | not measured | 142 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.6 MT — 72 hp, 123 Nm | not measured | 150 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.6 MT — 72 hp, 116 Nm at 2500 rpm, 940 kg | not measured | 150 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.4 MT — 62 hp, 980 kg | not measured | 142 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.4 MT — 63 hp, Carburetor | not measured | 150 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.6 MT — 72 hp, 980 kg | not measured | 150 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.4 MT — 62 hp, 100 Nm | not measured | 145 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.6 MT — 72 hp, 160 km/h | 19 s | 160 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.6 MT — 75 hp | not measured | 160 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The only measured acceleration result belongs to the 72 hp 1.6 MT with a 160 km/h top speed: 0–100 km/h takes 19 seconds. Acceleration is not measured for the other 10 versions. The range’s highest listed speed is 160 km/h, shared by that 72 hp version and the 75 hp 1.6 MT. This is 20 km/h above the 54 hp 1.4 MT and 10 km/h above the 1.6 MT versions listed at 150 km/h.
Fuel consumption is not measured in city, highway or combined driving for any version. CO₂ output and environmental class are also not measured, so the supplied data cannot support an economy, emissions or mpg ranking.
Dimensions, weight, ground clearance and tank capacity
External dimensions and wheel sizes are not measured for any Dacia 1310 version in the data. Kerb weight ranges from 920 to 980 kg, while gross weight ranges from 1340 to 1380 kg.
| Exact version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 MT — 54 hp | 920 kg | 1360 kg | 120 mm | 48 L | not measured |
| 1.4 MT — 62 hp, 940 kg | 940 kg | 1340 kg | not measured | 48 L | not measured |
| 1.4 MT — 63 hp, 100 Nm | 940 kg | 1340 kg | not measured | 48 L | not measured |
| 1.6 MT — 72 hp, 123 Nm | 940 kg | 1340 kg | not measured | 48 L | not measured |
| 1.6 MT — 72 hp, 116 Nm at 2500 rpm, 940 kg | 940 kg | 1340 kg | not measured | 48 L | not measured |
| 1.4 MT — 62 hp, 980 kg | 980 kg | 1380 kg | not measured | 48 L | not measured |
| 1.4 MT — 63 hp, Carburetor | 980 kg | 1380 kg | not measured | 48 L | not measured |
| 1.6 MT — 72 hp, 980 kg | 980 kg | 1380 kg | 120 mm | 48 L | not measured |
| 1.4 MT — 62 hp, 100 Nm | 935 kg | 1360 kg | 120 mm | 50 L | not measured |
| 1.6 MT — 72 hp, 160 km/h | 960 kg | 1380 kg | 120 mm | 50 L | not measured |
| 1.6 MT — 75 hp | 935 kg | 1360 kg | 120 mm | 50 L | not measured |
Independent, spring front suspension, front Disc brakes and rear Drum brakes are listed throughout the range. Independent, spring rear suspension is specified for the 54 hp 1.4 MT and the final four versions in the table; for the other versions, rear suspension is not measured.
Which Dacia 1310 version should you buy?
Choose the 1.6 MT with 75 hp if the priority is the strongest numerical package. It combines the range’s highest output, 160 km/h top speed, approximately 47.5 hp per litre and the best listed weight-to-power ratio at about 12.5 kg per hp. It also has a 50 L tank, which holds 2 L more than the 48 L versions. Its trade-off is that 0–100 km/h acceleration is not measured, and it uses a Carburetor rather than Central injection (single-point or single- point).
Choose the 1.6 MT with 72 hp and a 160 km/h top speed if measured acceleration matters. It is the only version with a stated 0–100 km/h time—19 seconds—and it combines that figure with 116 Nm at 2500 rpm, a 50 L tank and 120 mm of ground clearance. Compared with the 75 hp car, it gives away 3 hp and weighs 25 kg more, but it is the only choice whose acceleration can be judged from the supplied figures.
The 72 hp, 123 Nm 1.6 MT is the torque-led alternative. It has 23 Nm more than the strongest 1.4 MT torque figure and 7 Nm more than the 72 hp versions rated at 116 Nm. Its top speed is 150 km/h, however, which is 10 km/h below the quickest listed 1.6 MT options.
Within the 1.4 MT group, the 63 hp version with 100 Nm is the strongest combination of power and torque, although its top speed is 142 km/h. The 62 hp, 100 Nm 1.4 MT reaches 145 km/h and adds a 50 L tank plus 120 mm ground clearance, making it the best-documented 1.4 MT choice for those particular specifications.
The 54 hp 1.4 MT is the lightest option at 920 kg, but its 4-speed Manual gearbox, 88 Nm output and 140 km/h top speed place it at the bottom of the range for the principal performance figures. Unless minimum kerb weight is the deciding factor, the figures favor one of the 5-speed versions.
Problems and reliability are not measured in the supplied data. No version can therefore be recommended on durability, repair frequency or ownership cost. A defensible choice must rest on the recorded specifications: the 75 hp 1.6 MT for the best power-to-weight result, the 72 hp 1.6 MT with 160 km/h for the only measured acceleration figure, or the 62 hp 1.4 MT with 100 Nm for a 1.4 MT that combines a 50 L tank, 120 mm ground clearance and a 145 km/h top speed.