Daewoo Kalos: which version to buy
Buy the 1.6 MT (106 hp) if you want the fastest Daewoo Kalos in the catalogue: 10.3 s to 100 km/h, 185 km/h, 10.05 kg per horsepower at 1,065 kg. Buy the early 1.2 MT (72 hp, 5,500 rpm, to January 2006) if you want the lightest car (955 kg) and the only mixed figure of 6.6 L/100 km.
Buy the 1.6 MT (106 hp) if you want the fastest Daewoo Kalos in the catalogue: 10.3 s to 100 km/h, 185 km/h, 10.05 kg per horsepower at 1,065 kg. Buy the early 1.2 MT (72 hp, 5,500 rpm, to January 2006) if you want the lightest car (955 kg) and the only mixed figure of 6.6 L/100 km. Buy the later 1.4 AT (94 hp, to January 2008) if you need Automatic and still want a measured 11.9 s / 170 km/h plus 7.6 L/100 km mixed. There is only 1 generation (January 2002–January 2008, Sedan, FWD). Thirteen rows are listed in the model card; twelve complete versions sit in the data. Same names are not the same cars: two 1.2 MT, two 1.4 MT at 83 hp, two 1.4 MT at 94 hp, two 1.4 AT. Distinguish them by horsepower, rpm, kerb weight and the January 2006 versus January 2008 stop date.
Generations
Daewoo Kalos has 1 generation, not a sequence of bodies. The generation window is 2002-01-01 to 2008-01-31. Body: Sedan. Drive on every version: FWD. Fuel type on every version: Gasoline. Boost on every version: No. Cylinders: 4, Inline. Injection: Distributed injection (multi-point). Tank: 45 L. Wheel sizes: not measured on every version.
What “changed” inside this one generation is not a new generation name. It is a split in production end-dates and a pair of 1.5 engines that never appear in the January 2006 group.
- Stop 2006-01-31: 1.2 MT 72 hp, 1.4 MT 83 hp, 1.4 MT 94 hp, 1.4 AT 94 hp, 1.6 MT 106 hp. This is the only group that includes 1.6 MT.
- Stop 2008-01-31: 1.2 AT 71 hp, 1.2 MT 72 hp, 1.4 MT 83 hp, 1.4 MT 94 hp, 1.4 AT 94 hp, 1.5 MT 86 hp, 1.5 AT 86 hp. This is the only group that includes 1.2 AT, 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT.
The 1.6 therefore cannot be a “late” buy: its measured window ends two years before the generation itself. The 1.5 cannot be an “early-only” buy: it is listed only in the longer window. Ground clearance on the 1.5 pair is 150 mm; on 1.2 MT (to 2006), 1.6 MT and 1.4 AT (to 2008) it is 160 mm — 10 mm more where it is measured.
Engines and specs
Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres) and kg per hp (kerb ÷ hp) are arithmetic on the given numbers.
| Version | hp @ rpm | Nm @ rpm | cc | Valves/cyl | Gearbox | 0–100 | kg/hp | hp/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 MT (to 2006) | 72 @ 5500 | 104 @ 4000 | 1150 | 2 | Manual 5 | 13.7 s | 13.26 | 62.6 |
| 1.4 MT 83 hp (to 2006) | 83 @ 5600 | 123 @ 3000 | 1399 | 2 | Manual 5 | 12.1 s | 12.11 | 59.3 |
| 1.4 MT 94 hp (to 2006) | 94 @ 6200 | 130 @ 3400 | 1399 | 4 | Manual 5 | 11.1 s | 11.06 | 67.2 |
| 1.4 AT 94 hp (to 2006) | 94 @ 6200 | 130 @ 3400 | 1399 | 4 | Automatic 4 | 11.9 s | 11.12 | 67.2 |
| 1.6 MT | 106 @ 6000 | 145 @ 3400 | 1598 | 4 | Manual 5 | 10.3 s | 10.05 | 66.3 |
| 1.2 AT | 71 @ 5500 | 104 @ 4300 | 1150 | 2 | Automatic 4 | not measured | 13.59 | 61.7 |
| 1.2 MT (to 2008) | 72 @ 5400 | 104 @ 4400 | 1150 | 2 | Manual 5 | 13.7 s | 13.33 | 62.6 |
| 1.4 MT 83 hp (to 2008) | 83 @ 5600 | 123 @ 3000 | 1399 | 2 | Manual 5 | 12.1 s | 11.99 | 59.3 |
| 1.4 MT 94 hp (to 2008) | 94 @ 6200 | 130 @ 3400 | 1399 | 4 | Manual 5 | 11.1 s | 10.96 | 67.2 |
| 1.4 AT 94 hp (to 2008) | 94 @ 6200 | 130 @ 3400 | 1399 | 4 | Automatic 4 | 11.9 s | kerb not measured | 67.2 |
| 1.5 MT | 86 @ 5400 | 131 @ 3000 | 1498 | 2 | Manual 5 | not measured | 11.63 | 57.4 |
| 1.5 AT | 86 @ 5400 | 131 @ 3000 | 1498 | 2 | Automatic 4 | not measured | 11.69 | 57.4 |
Layout where measured: Front, transverse. Compression: 9.3 on both 1.2 engines; 9.5 on every 1.4 and both 1.5; 9 on 1.6 MT. Bore × stroke: 68.5 × 78 (1.2), 77.9 × 73.4 (1.4), 76.5 × 81.5 (1.5), 79 × 81.5 (1.6). Fuel octane where measured: 92 on 1.2 MT (to 2006) and 1.4 AT (to 2008); 95 on 1.6 MT, 1.2 AT, 1.5 MT, 1.5 AT. Fuel on the other six versions: not measured.
The 16-valve 1.4 MT 94 hp is the densest engine in the table: 67.2 hp/L, 11 hp more than the 8-valve 1.4 MT 83 hp on the same 1,399 cc. 1.6 MT is 12 hp and 15 Nm above that 94 hp 1.4, but 0.9 hp/L less dense. 1.5 MT / 1.5 AT sit between the two 1.4 outputs in displacement (1,498 cc) and in torque (131 Nm, 1 Nm above the 94 hp 1.4) but last in specific output (57.4 hp/L).
Performance and economy
0–100 km/h (measured). 1.6 MT 10.3 s is the shortest. Versus 1.4 MT 94 hp at 11.1 s that is 0.8 s. Versus 1.4 AT 94 hp at 11.9 s that is 1.6 s. Versus 1.4 MT 83 hp at 12.1 s that is 1.8 s. Versus either 1.2 MT at 13.7 s that is 3.4 s. Automatic on the 94 hp 1.4 costs 0.8 s against the matching Manual. 1.2 AT, 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT: 0–100 not measured.
Top speed. 1.6 MT 185 km/h. Then 1.4 MT 94 hp at 176 km/h (−9). 1.5 MT 175 km/h. 1.4 MT 83 hp, both 1.4 AT, and 1.5 AT share 170 km/h. Both 1.2 MT 157 km/h. 1.2 AT 152 km/h — 5 km/h below the 72 hp Manual and 33 km/h below 1.6 MT.
Fuel consumption. Only three versions have numbers.
- 1.2 MT (to 2006): city 8.4, highway 5.5, mixed 6.6 L/100 km. On a 45 L tank that mixed figure is 682 km of mixed range (45 ÷ 6.6 × 100).
- 1.4 AT (to 2008): city 10.5, highway 6.0, mixed 7.6 L/100 km. Mixed range 592 km. City is 2.1 L/100 km above the early 1.2; mixed is 1.0 L/100 km above it.
- 1.6 MT: city 13.5, highway 7.0, mixed 9.6 L/100 km. Mixed range 469 km. City is 5.1 L/100 km above the early 1.2 and 3.0 L/100 km above the later 1.4 Automatic. Highway is 1.5 L/100 km above the 1.2 and 1.0 above the 1.4 Automatic.
City, highway and mixed on the other nine versions: not measured. CO2: not measured. Eco class: not measured.
Dimensions and weight
Kerb weight spans 955 kg (1.2 MT to 2006) to 1,065 kg (1.6 MT): 110 kg, or 11.5% more mass for 34 extra hp. The later 1.2 MT is 5 kg heavier than the early one (960 vs 955) at the same 72 hp / 13.7 s / 157 km/h. 1.2 AT is 965 kg. The 83 hp 1.4 MT drops from 1,005 kg (to 2006) to 995 kg (to 2008) — 10 kg, which cuts kg/hp from 12.11 to 11.99 with unchanged 12.1 s and 170 km/h. The 94 hp 1.4 MT drops from 1,040 kg to 1,030 kg. 1.4 AT to 2006 is 1,045 kg; 1.4 AT to 2008 kerb is not measured. 1.5 MT 1,000 kg; 1.5 AT 1,005 kg.
Gross weight: 1,445 kg on all three 1.2 versions; 1,500 kg then 1,490 kg on the 83 hp 1.4; 1,535 kg then 1,525 kg on the 94 hp Manual 1.4; 1,540 kg on 1.4 AT to 2006 and 1,525 kg on 1.4 AT to 2008; 1,525 kg on both 1.5. 1.6 MT gross: not measured.
Payload (gross − kerb) where both exist: 490 kg on early 1.2 MT, 485 kg on later 1.2 MT, 480 kg on 1.2 AT, 495 kg on every 1.4 with both weights, 525 kg on 1.5 MT, 520 kg on 1.5 AT. The 1.5 pair carries the most extra mass.
Ground clearance: 160 mm on 1.2 MT (to 2006), 1.6 MT, 1.4 AT (to 2008); 150 mm on 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT; not measured on the rest. Front brakes: Disc. Rear brakes: Drum where measured; not measured on both 94 hp 1.4 MT and on 1.4 AT to 2006. Front suspension: Independent, spring. Rear: Independent, spring on early 1.2 MT, 1.6 MT and 1.4 AT to 2008; Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem on the other nine.
Which version to choose
If the number that matters is 0–100. 1.6 MT is the only version under 11 s (10.3 s). The next Manual is 1.4 MT 94 hp at 11.1 s. Automatic of the same engine is 11.9 s. Do not pick 1.5 MT or 1.5 AT for sprint: 0–100 is not measured, and top speed (175 / 170 km/h) does not beat the 94 hp 1.4 Manual.
If the number that matters is fuel. Only 1.2 MT (to 2006) has 6.6 L/100 km mixed. That is 3.0 L/100 km below 1.6 MT and 1.0 below 1.4 AT (to 2008). The 45 L tank then covers 213 km more mixed distance than the 1.6 (682 vs 469). The later 1.2 MT has the same 13.7 s and 157 km/h but consumption not measured — do not treat it as the same economy claim.
If you need Automatic. Three Automatic rows exist. 1.4 AT 94 hp is the only Automatic with a 0–100 figure (11.9 s) and, in the to-2008 row, the only Automatic with consumption (10.5 / 6.0 / 7.6). Versus 1.4 MT 94 hp you give up 0.8 s and 6 km/h (170 vs 176). 1.2 AT is 71 hp, 152 km/h, 0–100 not measured, 5 kg heavier than the matching later Manual. 1.5 AT is 86 hp, 170 km/h, 0–100 not measured. The extra of Automatic over Manual on the 1.2 is −1 hp and −5 km/h; on the 1.5 it is 0 hp and −5 km/h; on the 1.4 it is 0 hp, −6 km/h and +0.8 s.
If you are choosing between the two 1.4 Manuals. 1.4 MT 94 hp versus 1.4 MT 83 hp: +11 hp, +7 Nm, 4 valves per cylinder instead of 2, 0–100 11.1 vs 12.1 s (−1.0 s), 176 vs 170 km/h (+6). Peak power moves from 5,600 to 6,200 rpm; peak torque from 3,000 to 3,400 rpm. Kerb rises 35 kg in the 2006 pair (1,040 vs 1,005) and 35 kg in the 2008 pair (1,030 vs 995). Specific output rises from 59.3 to 67.2 hp/L. Consumption on both: not measured.
If you are choosing 1.4 94 hp versus 1.6. 1.6 MT adds 12 hp, 15 Nm, 199 cc, 0.8 s, 9 km/h, 25 kg versus the 2006 1.4 MT 94 hp (1,065 vs 1,040) and 35 kg versus the 2008 1.4 MT 94 hp (1,065 vs 1,030). kg/hp falls from 11.06 / 10.96 to 10.05. Fuel, only measured on the 1.6 among these two Manuals, is 9.6 mixed — 3.0 L/100 km above the early 1.2, with no mixed figure on the 1.4 Manual to compare. 1.6 MT is the only 1.6 and it stops in January 2006.
If you are choosing 1.5 versus 1.4. 1.5 MT is 86 hp and 131 Nm on 1,498 cc — 3 hp above the 83 hp 1.4 and 8 hp below the 94 hp 1.4, with 1 Nm more torque than the 94 hp 1.4. Specific output is the lowest (57.4 hp/L). 0–100 not measured. Top speed 175 km/h sits 1 km/h below the 94 hp Manual and 5 km/h above the 83 hp Manual. Clearance is 150 mm, 10 mm below the 160 mm rows. Payload is the highest measured (525 kg). 1.5 AT matches the 86 hp / 131 Nm and loses 5 km/h to the 1.5 Manual.
If weight per horsepower is the ranking. 1.6 MT 10.05 kg/hp. Later 1.4 MT 94 hp 10.96. Early 1.4 MT 94 hp 11.06. Early 1.4 AT 11.12. 1.5 MT 11.63. 1.5 AT 11.69. Later 1.4 MT 83 hp 11.99. Early 1.4 MT 83 hp 12.11. Early 1.2 MT 13.26. Later 1.2 MT 13.33. 1.2 AT 13.59. 1.4 AT to 2008: kerb not measured, so kg/hp not measured.
Reliability / problems in these data. The sheet does not score failures. What it does score: every engine is Gasoline, 4, Inline, No boost, FWD, Distributed injection (multi-point). Rear brakes are Drum where listed. The 16-valve pair (1.4 MT 94 hp, 1.4 AT 94 hp, 1.6 MT) is the only group with 4 valves per cylinder; everything else is 2. That is a parts difference, not a durability score.
Short list. Fastest measured: 1.6 MT. Lightest and only 6.6 mixed: 1.2 MT (72 hp, 5,500 rpm, to 2006). Best measured Automatic: 1.4 AT (94 hp, to 2008) at 11.9 s and 7.6 mixed. Strongest 1.4 Manual: 1.4 MT 94 hp (11.1 s, 176 km/h) — pick the to-2008 row if you want the 1,030 kg kerb, the to-2006 row if you want the matching Automatic kerb of 1,045 kg beside it. Do not buy 1.2 AT, 1.5 MT or 1.5 AT for a sprint claim: 0–100 is not measured. Do not treat the later 1.2 MT as the economy 1.2: same 13.7 s, consumption not measured.