Ford Taunus: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Ford Taunus choice depends on whether the priority is a Cabrio, Coupe, Sedan, performance, economy, or an Automatic gearbox. The supplied catalogue covers 4 generations: the 1964–1967 Cabrio, 1970–1976 Coupe, 1975–1979 Sedan, and 1979–1982 Sedan 2-doors.
The Ford Taunus choice depends on whether the priority is a Cabrio, Coupe, Sedan, performance, economy, or an Automatic gearbox. The supplied catalogue covers 4 generations: the 1964–1967 Cabrio, 1970–1976 Coupe, 1975–1979 Sedan, and 1979–1982 Sedan 2-doors. For the broadest selection and the most complete performance data, the 4 generation is the strongest comparison point: its 30 modifications include 1.3 MT, 1.6 MT, 1.6 AT, 2.0 MT, 2.0 AT, and 2.3 AT versions. The quickest measured choice is the 4-generation 2.0 MT with 101 hp, which reaches 100 km/h in 10.7 seconds and 170 km/h. The lowest measured combined consumption is delivered by the 4-generation 1.6 MT with 73 hp at 9 l/100 km.
Ford Taunus generations: which body and version range to choose
The 1 generation, produced from 1964 to 1967, is the Cabrio choice and has 25 modifications. Its displayed specifications include 1.5 MT, 1.7 MT, 1.7 AT, and 2.0 MT versions. All use Gasoline, RWD, and naturally aspirated engines. Depending on the version, the gearbox is a 3-speed Manual, 4-speed Manual, or 3-speed Automatic. The engines shown are V-shaped units with either 4 or 6 cylinders.
The 2 generation, produced from 1970 to 1976, is the Coupe and has 7 modifications. It offers 1.3 MT and 1.6 MT inline-4 choices, plus 2.0 MT and 2.3 MT V-shaped 6-cylinder versions. Every listed version has Gasoline, a 4-speed Manual gearbox, RWD, no boost, independent spring front suspension, 100 mm of ground clearance, and front disc brakes.
The 3 generation, produced from 1975 to 1979, is the Sedan and also has 7 modifications. Its range covers three different 1.3 MT specifications, two 1.6 MT specifications, 2.0 MT, and 2.3 MT. Most use a Carburetor, while the 57 hp 1.3 MT uses Central injection (single-point or single- point). All listed versions have Gasoline, a 4-speed Manual gearbox, RWD, no boost, 100 mm of ground clearance, independent spring front suspension, and front disc brakes.
The 4 generation, produced from 1979 to 1982, is the Sedan 2-doors and has 30 modifications. The 12 displayed versions span 59–114 hp and include both Manual and Automatic gearboxes. Every displayed engine is front, longitudinal, naturally aspirated, Gasoline-fed through a Carburetor, and connected to RWD. This generation also provides the catalogue’s fullest set of measured acceleration, speed, consumption, tank, and weight figures.
Ford Taunus engine and gearbox comparison
Repeated names identify distinct database versions, so their power outputs are shown alongside them.
| Generation and exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 generation 1.7 MT (70 hp) | 70 hp | 132 Nm | 1699 cc | Gasoline | 4, V-shaped | No | Manual, 3 | RWD |
| 1 generation 1.7 AT (70 hp) | 70 hp | 132 Nm | 1699 cc | Gasoline | 4, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 3 | RWD |
| 1 generation 2.0 MT (85 hp) | 85 hp | 148 Nm | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | Manual, 3 | RWD |
| 1 generation 2.0 MT (90 hp) | 90 hp | 155 Nm | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 1 generation 1.5 MT (60 hp) | 60 hp | 112 Nm | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, V-shaped | No | Manual, 3 | RWD |
| 1 generation 1.7 MT (65 hp) | 65 hp | 126 Nm | 1699 cc | Gasoline | 4, V-shaped | No | Manual, 3 | RWD |
| 1 generation 1.7 MT (70 hp) | 70 hp | 132 Nm | 1699 cc | Gasoline | 4, V-shaped | No | Manual, 3 | RWD |
| 1 generation 1.7 AT (70 hp) | 70 hp | 132 Nm | 1699 cc | Gasoline | 4, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 3 | RWD |
| 1 generation 2.0 MT (85 hp) | 85 hp | 148 Nm | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | Manual, 3 | RWD |
| 1 generation 2.0 MT (90 hp) | 90 hp | 155 Nm | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 1 generation 1.5 MT (60 hp) | 60 hp | 112 Nm | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, V-shaped | No | Manual, 3 | RWD |
| 1 generation 1.7 MT (65 hp) | 65 hp | 126 Nm | 1699 cc | Gasoline | 4, V-shaped | No | Manual, 3 | RWD |
| 2 generation 1.3 MT (54 hp) | 54 hp | not measured | 1297 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 2 generation 1.6 MT (72 hp) | 72 hp | 119 Nm | 1597 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 2 generation 1.6 MT (88 hp) | 88 hp | not measured | 1593 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 2 generation 2.0 MT (90 hp) | 90 hp | 158 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 2 generation 2.3 MT (107 hp) | 107 hp | 176 Nm | 2300 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 2 generation 1.6 MT (68 hp) | 68 hp | 113 Nm | 1593 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 2 generation 1.3 MT (55 hp) | 55 hp | not measured | 1297 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 3 generation 1.3 MT (54 hp) | 54 hp | not measured | 1297 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 3 generation 1.3 MT (55 hp) | 55 hp | not measured | 1297 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 3 generation 1.6 MT (68 hp) | 68 hp | 113 Nm | 1593 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 3 generation 1.6 MT (72 hp) | 72 hp | 119 Nm | 1597 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 3 generation 2.0 MT (90 hp) | 90 hp | 158 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 3 generation 2.3 MT (107 hp) | 107 hp | 176 Nm | 2300 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 3 generation 1.3 MT (57 hp) | 57 hp | not measured | 1300 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 4 generation 1.3 MT (59 hp) | 59 hp | 92 Nm | 1294 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 4 generation 1.3 MT (63 hp) | 63 hp | 98 Nm | 1294 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 4 generation 1.6 AT (70 hp) | 70 hp | 113 Nm | 1593 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 3 | RWD |
| 4 generation 1.6 MT (70 hp) | 70 hp | 113 Nm | 1593 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 4 generation 1.6 MT (73 hp) | 73 hp | 117 Nm | 1593 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 4 generation 1.6 AT (73 hp) | 73 hp | 117 Nm | 1593 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 3 | RWD |
| 4 generation 2.0 AT (90 hp) | 90 hp | 139 Nm | 1993 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 3 | RWD |
| 4 generation 2.0 MT (99 hp) | 99 hp | 151 Nm | 1993 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 4 generation 2.0 AT (101 hp) | 101 hp | 153 Nm | 1993 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 3 | RWD |
| 4 generation 2.0 MT (101 hp) | 101 hp | 153 Nm | 1993 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 4 generation 2.0 MT (90 hp) | 90 hp | 141 Nm | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
| 4 generation 2.3 AT (114 hp) | 114 hp | 176 Nm | 2294 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 3 | RWD |
The highest specific output among the displayed engines is achieved by the 4-generation 2.0 MT with 101 hp: 50.7 hp per litre. Its 2.0 AT counterpart produces the same 101 hp and the same 153 Nm. The 4-generation 2.3 AT produces 49.7 hp per litre, while its main advantage is the catalogue-high 114 hp and 176 Nm.
Ford Taunus performance and fuel economy
Most performance and consumption figures for the 1, 2, and 3 generations are not measured. In the 1 generation, measured acceleration ranges from 21.5 seconds for the 1.5 MT to 14 seconds for the 90 hp 2.0 MT. Measured top speeds run from 135 km/h for the 1.5 MT to 165 km/h for the 90 hp 2.0 MT. Fuel consumption is not measured for the displayed 1-generation versions.
For every displayed 2-generation and 3-generation version, acceleration, top speed, city consumption, highway consumption, and combined consumption are not measured.
The 4 generation permits a direct comparison. The 59 hp 1.3 MT needs 19.2 seconds to reach 100 km/h and has a top speed of 138 km/h. The 63 hp 1.3 MT cuts acceleration to 17.7 seconds and raises top speed to 142 km/h, while both record 11.3 l/100 km city, 8 l/100 km highway, and 9.8 l/100 km combined.
The 70 hp 1.6 MT reaches 100 km/h in 15.3 seconds and 148 km/h, with consumption of 11.1 l/100 km city, 7.5 l/100 km highway, and 9.4 l/100 km combined. The 73 hp 1.6 MT improves those results to 14.5 seconds and 152 km/h while lowering consumption to 10.5, 7.1, and 9 l/100 km. That makes it 0.8 seconds quicker, 4 km/h faster, and 0.4 l/100 km more economical on the combined cycle than the 70 hp 1.6 MT. Performance and consumption for the 70 hp 1.6 AT are not measured. The 73 hp 1.6 AT reaches 100 km/h in 17.8 seconds and 149 km/h, but consumption is not measured.
The 101 hp 2.0 MT is the quickest measured 4-generation version at 10.7 seconds and has the highest measured speed at 170 km/h. It consumes 11.1 l/100 km city, 7.5 l/100 km highway, and 9.5 l/100 km combined. The 101 hp 2.0 AT needs 13.2 seconds and reaches 162 km/h, consuming 11.4, 8.2, and 10.2 l/100 km. The Manual is therefore 2.5 seconds quicker, 8 km/h faster, and uses 0.7 l/100 km less on the combined cycle.
The 90 hp V-shaped 6-cylinder 2.0 MT records 12.6 seconds, 163 km/h, and 10.3 l/100 km combined. Compared with the 101 hp inline-4 2.0 MT, it has 11 hp less, takes 1.9 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h, is 7 km/h slower, and uses 0.8 l/100 km more combined.
The 2.3 AT delivers 114 hp and 176 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 12 seconds, and tops out at 169 km/h. Its consumption is 12.6 l/100 km city, 9.6 l/100 km highway, and 11.3 l/100 km combined. It has 13 hp and 23 Nm more than the 101 hp 2.0 AT, while accelerating 1.2 seconds quicker and reaching 7 km/h more; combined consumption rises by 1.1 l/100 km.
Ford Taunus dimensions, weight, clearance, tank, and wheels
External dimensions and wheel sizes are not measured for any displayed version. Ground clearance is not measured for the 1 and 4 generations, but every displayed 2-generation and 3-generation version has 100 mm of ground clearance.
The 1 generation has measured kerb weights from 965 kg to 1110 kg and gross weights from 1410 kg to 1460 kg. Its fuel tank is either 45 or 55 litres depending on the listed version. Wheel sizes are not measured.
For the 2 and 3 generations, kerb weight, gross weight, fuel-tank capacity, and wheel sizes are not measured.
The 4 generation has a 54-litre tank in every displayed version. Kerb weights range from 965 kg for both 1.3 MT versions to 1045 kg for the 2.3 AT; gross weights range from 1480 to 1565 kg. The 101 hp 2.0 MT weighs 1000 kg, or 9.9 kg per hp. The 101 hp 2.0 AT weighs 1010 kg, or 10 kg per hp. The 2.3 AT weighs 1045 kg, or 9.2 kg per hp. The 73 hp 1.6 MT weighs 970 kg, or 13.3 kg per hp, while the 63 hp 1.3 MT weighs 965 kg, or 15.3 kg per hp.
Which Ford Taunus version should you buy?
For balanced measured economy and adequate performance, choose the 4-generation 1.6 MT with 73 hp. It has the lowest measured combined consumption at 9 l/100 km, reaches 100 km/h in 14.5 seconds, and attains 152 km/h. It is a clearer numerical choice than the 70 hp 1.6 MT because it offers more power and torque while using less fuel.
For maximum measured performance, choose the 4-generation 2.0 MT with 101 hp. Its 10.7-second acceleration and 170 km/h top speed beat every other displayed version with both figures measured. It also offers a better weight-to-power ratio and lower measured combined consumption than the 90 hp V-shaped 6-cylinder 2.0 MT.
For an Automatic with the best measured acceleration, choose the 4-generation 2.3 AT. It provides 114 hp and 176 Nm, the highest outputs in the displayed catalogue, and reaches 100 km/h in 12 seconds. The trade-off is its 11.3 l/100 km combined consumption, compared with 10.2 l/100 km for the 101 hp 2.0 AT and 9 l/100 km for the 73 hp 1.6 MT.
For the Cabrio body, the 1-generation 2.0 MT with 90 hp is the strongest measured choice: it reaches 100 km/h in 14 seconds and 165 km/h. For the Coupe body, the 2-generation 2.3 MT leads its generation with 107 hp and 176 Nm, although acceleration, top speed, consumption, and weight are not measured. For a Sedan rather than a Sedan 2-doors, the 3-generation 2.3 MT also provides 107 hp and 176 Nm, but its performance and economy remain not measured.
Reliability, problems, purchase price, parts availability, and engine-swap suitability are not measured in the supplied data, so they cannot separate the versions here. On the available evidence alone, the 73 hp 1.6 MT is the economy-led recommendation, the 101 hp 2.0 MT is the performance-led recommendation, and the 114 hp 2.3 AT is the recommendation for buyers who specifically want an Automatic and the highest listed output.