Datsun 240Z

Datsun 240Z: Which Version Should You Choose?

The Datsun 240Z was offered as a Coupe in a single generation from 1970 to 1973. The catalogue lists six versions, although their exact names repeat: four are called 2.4 MT, and two are called 2.4 AT. The meaningful differences are power, gearbox, kerb weight, compression ratio, fuel grade, and the limited performance measurements available.

The Datsun 240Z was offered as a Coupe in a single generation from 1970 to 1973. The catalogue lists six versions, although their exact names repeat: four are called 2.4 MT, and two are called 2.4 AT. The meaningful differences are power, gearbox, kerb weight, compression ratio, fuel grade, and the limited performance measurements available. All use a 2,393 cc Gasoline engine with 6 Inline cylinders, 2 valves per cylinder, No boost, Carburetor fuel delivery, a Front, longitudinal engine position, and RWD. For the broadest performance specification, choose the 177 hp 2.4 MT. For the only version with measured acceleration, choose the 140 hp, 5-speed 2.4 MT. If Automatic transmission is essential, the 153 hp 2.4 AT offers 13 hp more than the other automatic, although it is also 19 kg heavier.

Datsun 240Z generations and versions

The Datsun 240Z has one catalogue generation, produced from 1970 to 1973 as a Coupe. This 1 generation contains six listed versions: four 2.4 MT entries and two 2.4 AT entries. Because the names repeat, each version must be identified by power and transmission details: 140 hp 2.4 MT with 4 gears, 140 hp 2.4 MT with 5 gears, 140 hp 2.4 AT, 153 hp 2.4 MT, 153 hp 2.4 AT, and 177 hp 2.4 MT. There is no second generation in the supplied data, so the buying decision is entirely between these six specifications rather than between different generations.

Datsun 240Z engine and specs

Every version has the same 2,393 cc displacement, 6 Inline cylinders, 2 valves per cylinder, No boost, and Carburetor fuel delivery. The engine is mounted Front, longitudinal, and every version uses RWD. Output ranges from 140 hp and 197 Nm to 177 hp and 211 Nm.

The 140 hp specifications use a compression ratio of 9, while the 153 hp versions use 8.8. The 177 hp 2.4 MT has a compression ratio of 10.5. Bore and stroke are 83 × 73.7 in every listed version.

With equal displacement, the output comparison is direct. The 140 hp versions produce about 58.5 hp per litre, the 153 hp versions about 63.9 hp per litre, and the 177 hp 2.4 MT about 74.0 hp per litre. Moving from 140 hp to 153 hp adds 13 hp and 1 Nm. Moving from 153 hp to 177 hp adds 24 hp and 13 Nm. Across the complete range, the difference is 37 hp and 14 Nm.

Datsun 240Z performance, top speed, and mpg

Performance data are incomplete, so a version with no published figure should not be assumed to match another version.

The 140 hp, 5-speed 2.4 MT is the only version with measured 0–100 km/h acceleration, recorded at 9.1 seconds. The highest measured top speed belongs to the 140 hp, 4-speed 2.4 MT at 205 km/h. That is 5 km/h above the 140 hp, 5-speed 2.4 MT and 4 km/h above the 153 hp, 4-speed 2.4 MT. No top-speed figure is measured for either 2.4 AT or for the 177 hp 2.4 MT.

Fuel consumption—and therefore mpg—is not measured for any version. CO₂ output and environmental class are also not measured throughout the range. Each version has a 60-litre fuel tank.

Datsun 240Z dimensions, weight, and chassis specs

Exterior length, width, and height are not measured in the supplied data. Ground clearance is 161 mm for all six versions, while wheel sizes are not measured. Every version uses Independent, spring front and rear suspension, Disc front brakes, and Drum rear brakes.

The lightest catalogue weight is 1,043 kg, shared by the 153 hp and 177 hp manual versions. The heaviest is the 153 hp 2.4 AT at 1,089 kg, a difference of 46 kg. Among the 140 hp cars, the 4-speed 2.4 MT weighs 1,045 kg, while both the 5-speed 2.4 MT and 3-speed 2.4 AT weigh 1,070 kg.

Weight per horsepower clarifies the comparison. The 140 hp, 4-speed 2.4 MT carries about 7.46 kg per hp. The two 1,070 kg, 140 hp versions carry about 7.64 kg per hp. The 153 hp 2.4 MT achieves about 6.82 kg per hp, compared with about 7.12 kg per hp for the 153 hp 2.4 AT. The 177 hp 2.4 MT has the strongest ratio at about 5.89 kg per hp.

Which Datsun 240Z version should you buy?

The 177 hp 2.4 MT is the specification-led choice. It combines the highest output, 211 Nm of torque, a 5-speed Manual gearbox, and the joint-lowest kerb weight of 1,043 kg. It delivers 24 hp more than the 153 hp manual without adding weight, and 37 hp more than the 1,045 kg, 140 hp manual while weighing 2 kg less. Its trade-off in the supplied specification is fuel grade: it uses 95 rather than the 92 listed for the other versions. Acceleration, top speed, and consumption are not measured.

The 153 hp 2.4 MT is the middle-ground manual. At 1,043 kg, it is 2 kg lighter than the 140 hp, 4-speed 2.4 MT, while adding 13 hp. Its torque advantage is only 1 Nm, however, and it retains a 4-speed Manual gearbox. Its measured top speed is 201 km/h, 4 km/h below the 205 km/h recorded for the 140 hp, 4-speed manual.

The 140 hp 2.4 MT with 5 gears is the best choice when documented acceleration matters. It is the sole version with a measured 0–100 km/h time of 9.1 seconds. Compared with the 140 hp, 4-speed 2.4 MT, it adds one gear but also 25 kg, and its measured top speed is 5 km/h lower.

The 140 hp 2.4 MT with 4 gears is preferable if the buying priority is the highest measured top speed rather than the largest output. Its 205 km/h figure leads the measured results, and its 1,045 kg kerb weight is 25 kg below the other 140 hp manual.

For an Automatic, the 153 hp 2.4 AT provides 13 hp and 1 Nm more than the 140 hp 2.4 AT, but weighs 1,089 kg instead of 1,070 kg. Both have 3-speed Automatic gearboxes, RWD, 60-litre tanks, and 161 mm ground clearance. Neither has measured acceleration, top speed, or fuel consumption. On the available numbers, the 153 hp automatic offers the stronger power-to-weight result, while the 140 hp automatic is 19 kg lighter.

Price data, reliability records, and problem reports are not provided, so no version can be judged by purchase cost, maintenance history, or known faults. Based strictly on the catalogue figures, the 177 hp 2.4 MT offers the most power and best weight-per-horsepower ratio; the 140 hp, 5-speed 2.4 MT offers the most complete measured acceleration record; and the 153 hp 2.4 AT is the more powerful of the two Automatic choices.