Datsun Violet: Which Version Should You Choose?
The Datsun Violet has two listed versions: 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT. Both belong to the same generation, were produced from 1973 to 1979, and use the same 1595 cc Gasoline engine producing 92 hp (68 kW). Both are RWD and share the same suspension, brakes, and 171 mm ground clearance. The decisive difference is the transmission: 1.6 MT has a 4-speed Manual, while 1.6 AT has a 3-speed Automatic.
The Datsun Violet has two listed versions: 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT. Both belong to the same generation, were produced from 1973 to 1979, and use the same 1595 cc Gasoline engine producing 92 hp (68 kW). Both are RWD and share the same suspension, brakes, and 171 mm ground clearance. The decisive difference is the transmission: 1.6 MT has a 4-speed Manual, while 1.6 AT has a 3-speed Automatic. Choose 1.6 MT if you want the additional forward gear and the only version with a measured kerb weight; choose 1.6 AT if Automatic transmission is your priority.
Datsun Violet versions and generation comparison
The catalogue contains 1 generation of the Datsun Violet, so there is no earlier or later Violet generation to compare. The 1 generation ran from 1973 to 1979 and used the Sedan 2-doors body. It contains 2 versions, 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT, with no separate restyling listed in the supplied data.
Because both versions cover the same production period and body type, the buying decision is not about choosing between different generations, engines, or power outputs. It is specifically a choice between Manual and Automatic transmission.
Datsun Violet engine and specs
| Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 MT | 92 hp (68 kW) | not measured | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1.6 AT | 92 hp (68 kW) | not measured | 1595 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
The 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT have identical measured engine specifications. Each uses a 1595 cc, 4-cylinder Inline Gasoline engine with 2 valves per cylinder, No boost, and a Carburetor fuel system. Bore and stroke are 83 × 73 mm. Engine location, compression ratio, maximum-power rpm, torque, and torque rpm are not measured.
Both versions produce approximately 57.7 hp per litre, calculated from 92 hp and 1595 cc. Neither version gains a power-density advantage: choosing the Automatic does not add power, and choosing the Manual does not reduce it.
The transmission is therefore the meaningful mechanical distinction. The 1.6 MT provides 4 forward gears, while the 1.6 AT provides 3. That is a difference of 1 gear in favour of the Manual version. Both transmit their 92 hp through RWD.
Datsun Violet performance, mpg, and economy
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 MT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.6 AT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
Acceleration from 0–100 km/h and top speed are not measured for either 1.6 MT or 1.6 AT. City, highway, and combined fuel consumption are also not measured for both versions.
This means the data does not support a claim that either transmission is quicker, faster, or more economical. The two versions have equal power and displacement, but those figures alone cannot establish a performance or mpg advantage. CO₂ output and emissions class are not measured as well.
Datsun Violet dimensions, weight, and ground clearance
| Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 MT | 1005 kg | not measured | 171 mm | not measured | not measured |
| 1.6 AT | not measured | not measured | 171 mm | not measured | not measured |
The 1.6 MT has a measured kerb weight of 1005 kg. With 92 hp, that equals approximately 10.9 kg per horsepower, or approximately 91.5 hp per tonne.
Kerb weight is not measured for the 1.6 AT, so its weight-per-horsepower figure cannot be calculated or fairly compared with that of the Manual version. Gross weight, fuel-tank capacity, and wheel sizes are not measured for either version.
Ground clearance is identical: both the 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT provide 171 mm. Neither transmission offers a clearance advantage.
Suspension and brake specs
Both versions use an Independent, spring front suspension and a Dependent, spring rear suspension. Front brakes are Disc, while rear brakes are Drum on both 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT.
Consequently, suspension and brake specifications do not separate the two choices. The supplied data identifies no version-specific change in these areas.
Which Datsun Violet version should you buy?
The 1.6 MT is the stronger evidence-based choice when transmission type is not a fixed requirement. It has the same 92 hp, 68 kW, and 1595 cc engine as the 1.6 AT, but its 4-speed Manual supplies 1 more gear than the 3-speed Automatic. It is also the only version whose kerb weight is measured: 1005 kg, corresponding to approximately 10.9 kg per horsepower.
Choose the 1.6 AT when an Automatic gearbox is the deciding feature. It retains the same 92 hp, 1595 cc, 4-cylinder Inline engine, RWD, and 171 mm ground clearance as the Manual version. However, its kerb weight is not measured, and the data provides no acceleration, top-speed, or fuel-consumption result showing that it performs better than the 1.6 MT.
No price data is supplied, so the extra money required for either version—and what that price difference might buy—cannot be calculated. On specifications alone, the 1.6 MT offers the additional forward gear without sacrificing stated power. The 1.6 AT should be selected for its transmission format rather than for any measured advantage in output, economy, speed, clearance, suspension, or braking.
Reliability and problems: what the data shows
Reliability records and known-problem data are not measured for either 1.6 MT or 1.6 AT. The supplied specifications therefore cannot support a claim that one gearbox or version is more reliable.
For a catalogue-based decision, the conclusion remains narrow but clear: 1.6 MT is preferable for its 4-speed Manual and documented 1005 kg kerb weight, while 1.6 AT is the appropriate alternative for buyers who specifically want a 3-speed Automatic.