Ford Laser

Ford Laser: which version to buy, and why the numbers pick it

If the brief is “which Ford Laser to buy,” the data point to two cars, not one: the 1.5 MT of the 2 generation (1985-09-01–1989-03-31) Cabrio when you want the most torque and the only turbo in this catalogue, and the 1.6 MT of the 4 generation (1994-06-01–2002-12-31) Sedan when you want the highest horsepower, the only AWD, and the lowest kerb-weight-per-horsepower among versions that list a kerb…

If the brief is “which Ford Laser to buy,” the data point to two cars, not one: the 1.5 MT of the 2 generation (1985-09-01–1989-03-31) Cabrio when you want the most torque and the only turbo in this catalogue, and the 1.6 MT of the 4 generation (1994-06-01–2002-12-31) Sedan when you want the highest horsepower, the only AWD, and the lowest kerb-weight-per-horsepower among versions that list a kerb weight. Everything else in the four-generation run (1981-03-01–2002-12-31) is a trade: less power, an Automatic instead of a Manual, or a Coupe/Sedan whose kerb weight is not measured. The 1 generation (1981-03-01–1985-08-31) Sedan has 0 listed versions, so it cannot be chosen from specs.

Searches for “Ford Laser TX3 turbo,” “1998 / 2001 / 2002 Ford Laser specs,” horsepower, and weight all collapse onto these same rows: turbo exists only on 1.5 MT (2 generation); 1998–2002 calendar years fall inside the 4 generation Sedan; peak horsepower is 115 hp on 1.6 MT (4 generation).

Ford Laser generations: what actually changed between them

1 generation (1981-03-01–1985-08-31), Sedan, 0 versions. There is no engine, gearbox, drive, weight, or tank figure to compare. A buyer looking at this generation is not choosing a modification from this catalogue.

2 generation (1985-09-01–1989-03-31), Cabrio, 3 versions. This is the only Cabrio and the only turbo: 1.5 MT (100 hp / 74 kW, 149 Nm, 1490 cm³, Turbo, Manual 5, FWD) versus two naturally aspirated 1.6 cars at 85 hp / 63 kW and 123 Nm (1598 cm³), one 1.6 AT (Automatic 4, FWD) and one 1.6 MT (Manual 5, FWD). All three share kerb 1060 kg, ground clearance 150 mm, tank 45 L, Front, transverse layout, 2 valves per cylinder, Gasoline, 95, Independent, spring suspension, Ventilated disc front / Disc rear.

3 generation (1989-04-01–1994-05-31), Coupe, 3 versions (the three listed modifications stop 1994-04-30). Body becomes Coupe. Turbo disappears. Valves per cylinder move from 2 to 4. The 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT keep 85 hp but kW is 62 (not 63). A third row appears: 1.3 MT at 53 hp / 38 kW, 1324 cm³. Kerb weight is not measured on all three. Tank stays 45 L, clearance 150 mm, FWD, Gasoline, 95.

4 generation (1994-06-01–2002-12-31), Sedan, 2 versions — the window that covers a Ford Laser 1998, 2001, or 2002. Power jumps: 1.5 AT 110 hp / 81 kW, 1.6 MT 115 hp / 85 kW. Boost is No on both. Drive splits: 1.5 AT is FWD Automatic 4; 1.6 MT is AWD Manual 5. Kerb is measured again: 1250 kg vs 1210 kg. Clearance is 152 mm. Tank is not measured. Rear brakes: Disc ventilated on 1.5 AT, Disc on 1.6 MT. Fuel is not measured on 1.5 AT; 1.6 MT lists 92.

Ford Laser engine specs by version (use these names exactly)

All listed engines are Gasoline with Distributed injection (multi-point). Engine location is Front, transverse on every 2 and 3 generation version; not measured on both 4 generation versions.

Specific output (hp per litre of displacement): 1.5 AT (4 generation) 110 / 1.498 ≈ 73.4 hp/L. 1.6 MT (4 generation) 115 / 1.597 ≈ 72.0 hp/L. 1.5 MT (2 generation, Turbo) 100 / 1.490 ≈ 67.1 hp/L. 1.6 AT / 1.6 MT (2 generation) 85 / 1.598 ≈ 53.2 hp/L. 1.6 MT / 1.6 AT (3 generation) 85 / 1.598 ≈ 53.2 hp/L. 1.3 MT (3 generation) 53 / 1.324 ≈ 40.0 hp/L.

The 4 generation naturally aspirated 1.5 AT out-specifics the 2 generation Turbo 1.5 MT by about 6.3 hp/L. The Turbo still wins on torque: 149 Nm versus 137 Nm on 1.5 AT and 142 Nm on 1.6 MT (4 generation). Peak torque rpm: 2500 on every 85 hp 1.6, 3500 on 4 generation 1.6 MT, 4000 on both 1.5 cars.

Compression: 8.2 on Turbo 1.5 MT; 9.3 on 2 generation 1.6 and 3 generation 1.6; 9 on 4 generation 1.6 MT; not measured on 1.3 MT and 4 generation 1.5 AT. Bore × stroke: 77 × 80 (Turbo), 78 × 83.6 (all 1.6 except 4 generation 1.6 MT at the same 78 × 83.6 on 1597 cm³), 71.0 × 83.6 on 1.3 MT; not measured on 4 generation 1.5 AT.

Horsepower, 0–100, and mpg: what is measured

0–100 km/h: not measured on every version. Top speed: not measured on every version. City / highway / combined consumption: not measured on every version. CO2 / eco class: not measured on every version.

What is measured for a “which engine” decision is horsepower and newton-metres.

• Strongest horsepower: 1.6 MT (4 generation) 115 hp.
• Next: 1.5 AT (4 generation) 110 hp (−5 hp).
• Turbo Cabrio 1.5 MT: 100 hp (−15 vs 4 generation 1.6 MT).
• All four 1.6 cars at 85 hp (2 generation 1.6 AT, 2 generation 1.6 MT, 3 generation 1.6 MT, 3 generation 1.6 AT).
• Weakest: 1.3 MT (3 generation) 53 hp — 62 hp less than 4 generation 1.6 MT, 32 hp less than the 85 hp 1.6 rows.

Torque ranking: 1.5 MT 149 Nm → 1.6 MT (4 generation) 142 Nm → 1.5 AT 137 Nm → 1.6 85 hp cars 123 Nm → 1.3 MT not measured.

Power steering pump, rack, belt, power window switch, engine number location, oil, mount, and engine-bay layout are not in this dataset — they cannot decide a version.

Ford Laser weight, ground clearance, tank, wheels

Length and other exterior dimensions are not measured. Gross weight is not measured. Wheel sizes are not measured.

Kerb per horsepower (only where kerb is measured): 1.6 MT (4 generation): 1210 / 115 ≈ 10.52 kg/hp (lightest per hp). 1.5 MT (2 generation): 1060 / 100 = 10.60 kg/hp. 1.5 AT (4 generation): 1250 / 110 ≈ 11.36 kg/hp. 1.6 AT / 1.6 MT (2 generation): 1060 / 85 ≈ 12.47 kg/hp.

The 4 generation 1.5 AT is 190 kg heavier than any 2 generation Cabrio (1250 − 1060) and 40 kg heavier than the 4 generation 1.6 MT (1250 − 1210) despite 5 hp less. Ground clearance rises 2 mm from 150 to 152 mm in the 4 generation — not a reason to switch generations by itself.

Which Ford Laser version to choose

Buy 4 generation Sedan 1.6 MT if horsepower, AWD, and weight-per-hp decide it. It is the only AWD Laser here, the only 115 hp / 85 kW row, the only 142 Nm at 3500 rpm, and the best measured kg/hp (10.52). Versus the same-generation 1.5 AT you gain 5 hp, 5 Nm, 40 kg less kerb, Manual 5 instead of Automatic 4, and AWD instead of FWD. You give up ventilated rear discs (Disc vs Disc ventilated) and accept fuel 92 instead of a not-measured fuel label on 1.5 AT. Tank is not measured, so range cannot be argued.

Buy 4 generation Sedan 1.5 AT if you need Automatic 4 and FWD in the 1994-06-01–2002-12-31 window (including 1998, 2001, 2002). It is the strongest Automatic: 110 hp / 81 kW versus 85 hp on every earlier Automatic 1.6 AT. Versus 2 generation 1.6 AT that is +25 hp and +14 Nm (137 vs 123), at the cost of +190 kg kerb (1250 vs 1060) and a tank that is not measured (was 45 L). Specific output 73.4 hp/L is the highest in the table, with Boost No.

Buy 2 generation Cabrio 1.5 MT if turbo torque and a light kerb matter more than peak hp. It is the only Turbo, the only 149 Nm, the only 100 hp Cabrio, and it shares the lightest listed kerb (1060 kg) with its 85 hp siblings. Versus 4 generation 1.6 MT: −15 hp, +7 Nm, −150 kg, FWD not AWD, tank 45 L measured, fuel 95 not 92. Versus 2 generation 1.6 MT: +15 hp, +26 Nm, same 1060 kg, same Manual 5 and FWD — the 1.6’s extra 108 cm³ does not buy power; it buys −15 hp and −26 Nm. Compression 8.2 vs 9.3 is the Turbo signature in this set.

Buy 2 generation 1.6 MT only if you want that Cabrio with Manual 5 and no turbo. Same 85 hp / 123 Nm as 1.6 AT, same 1060 kg. The Automatic costs 0 hp and 0 Nm on paper; the difference is gearbox only (Manual 5 vs Automatic 4).

Buy 2 generation 1.6 AT only if the Cabrio must be Automatic. Same engine as 1.6 MT. Do not pick it for power: 4 generation 1.5 AT is +25 hp for an Automatic.

Skip 3 generation 1.3 MT unless you explicitly want the smallest engine. 53 hp / 38 kW, 1324 cm³, ~40.0 hp/L, torque not measured, kerb not measured. Versus 3 generation 1.6 MT: −32 hp, −274 cm³, same Coupe, same Manual 5, same FWD, same 45 L, same 150 mm.

3 generation 1.6 MT vs 1.6 AT: identical 85 hp / 62 kW, 123 Nm, 1598 cm³, 4 valves, No boost, FWD. Choose Manual 5 or Automatic 4; the engine does not change. Versus 2 generation 1.6 MT / 1.6 AT: same 85 hp and 123 Nm, kW 62 instead of 63, valves 4 instead of 2, body Coupe instead of Cabrio, turbo option gone, kerb not measured.

Do not buy 1 generation from this catalogue. Zero versions.

If searches for “TX3 turbo” are the brief: the only turbo row is 1.5 MT (2 generation). This dataset does not name TX3, SR2, hatchback, or a red paint code; it does name Turbo once.

If 2001 / 2002 Ford Laser horsepower is the brief: both calendar years sit in 4 generation. The two answers are 110 hp (1.5 AT) and 115 hp (1.6 MT). Weight: 1250 kg and 1210 kg. 0–60 / 0–100 is not measured.

Chassis common to every listed version that has the fields: Independent, spring front and rear; Ventilated disc front. Rear: Disc on all 2 and 3 generation versions and on 4 generation 1.6 MT; Disc ventilated on 4 generation 1.5 AT.

Prices and “for sale” listings are not in the data, so “extra money” here means extra hp, Nm, kg, gears, and drive — not currency. On that arithmetic, 1.6 MT (4 generation) is the spec-max Sedan, and 1.5 MT (2 generation) is the spec-max Cabrio.