Geely LC (Panda)

Geely LC (Panda): which version to buy and why

If you are choosing a Geely LC (Panda), there is only one generation to compare: 1 generation (2008-01-01 to 2016-12-31), Mini 5-doors, four versions. The buying question is not “which generation” — it is which of 1.0 MT, 1.3 MT, 1.3 AT, and 1.5 AT matches the job.

If you are choosing a Geely LC (Panda), there is only one generation to compare: 1 generation (2008-01-01 to 2016-12-31), Mini 5-doors, four versions. The buying question is not “which generation” — it is which of 1.0 MT, 1.3 MT, 1.3 AT, and 1.5 AT matches the job. All four are Gasoline, Front, transverse, FWD, no boost, Distributed injection (multi-point), 35 L tank, 121 mm ground clearance, Independent, spring front, Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem rear, Ventilated disc front, Drum rear.

Specs that actually separate the four versions

Valves per cylinder: 1.0 MT 4, 1.3 MT 4, 1.3 AT 4, 1.5 AT not measured. Compression: 1.0 MT not measured; 1.3 MT and 1.3 AT 9.3; 1.5 AT 9.8. Bore × stroke: 1.3 MT and 1.3 AT 78.7 × 69 mm; 1.0 MT and 1.5 AT not measured.

Generations: what changed (nothing — there is one)

1 generation ran 2008-01-01–2016-12-31 in Mini 5-doors with these four versions. There is no second generation in the data, so there is no restyle, no extra body, and no later drivetrain to “wait for.” The comparison is inside this generation.

Which version: power, litres, and kg per horsepower

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres):

• 1.0 MT: 68 / 0.997 ≈ 68.2 hp/L — highest specific output.
• 1.3 MT: 86 / 1.342 ≈ 64.1 hp/L.
• 1.3 AT: same engine as 1.3 MT, 64.1 hp/L.
• 1.5 AT: 94 / 1.498 ≈ 62.8 hp/L — lowest specific output, highest absolute power.

Torque per litre:

• 1.0 MT: 88 / 0.997 ≈ 88.3 Nm/L — densest torque.
• 1.3 MT / 1.3 AT: 110 / 1.342 ≈ 82.0 Nm/L.
• 1.5 AT: 128 / 1.498 ≈ 85.4 Nm/L.

Kerb weight per horsepower:

• 1.0 MT: 937 / 68 ≈ 13.8 kg/hp — heaviest per horse.
• 1.3 MT and 1.3 AT: 985 / 86 ≈ 11.5 kg/hp.
• 1.5 AT: 1000 / 94 ≈ 10.6 kg/hp — lightest per horse.

Peak rpm of torque: 1.0 MT at 3600, 1.5 AT at 3400, 1.3 MT / 1.3 AT at 5200. The 1.3 pair asks for more revs to reach 110 Nm; the 1.0 and 1.5 peaks sit lower.

What the extra displacement and gearbox actually buy

1.0 MT → 1.3 MT. You gain 18 hp (68 → 86, +26.5%) and 22 Nm (88 → 110, +25.0%) for 345 cc more (997 → 1342, +34.6%) and 48 kg more kerb (937 → 985, +5.1%). Cylinders go from 3 Inline to 4 Inline. Fuel grade drops from 95 to 92. Gearbox stays Manual 5, drive stays FWD. This is the only step in the line with a measured 0–100 (14 s) and a measured top speed (155). Gross weight is measured only here: 1300, so payload 1300 − 985 = 315 kg.

1.3 MT → 1.3 AT. Same 86 hp, 110 Nm, 1342 cc, 4 Inline, 92, 985 kg, 121 mm, 35 L. The buy is Automatic 4 instead of Manual 5 (one fewer ratio). 0–100, top speed, and gross weight for 1.3 AT are not measured — you cannot claim it is slower or faster from this catalogue.

1.3 AT → 1.5 AT. You gain 8 hp (86 → 94, +9.3%) and 18 Nm (110 → 128, +16.4%) for 156 cc more (1342 → 1498, +11.6%) and 15 kg more kerb (985 → 1000, +1.5%). Compression 9.3 → 9.8. Torque peak 5200 → 3400. Gearbox stays Automatic 4. Valves per cylinder on 1.5 AT are not measured. 0–100, top speed, and gross weight for 1.5 AT are not measured.

1.0 MT → 1.5 AT (largest step). +26 hp (+38.2%), +40 Nm (+45.5%), +501 cc (+50.3%), +63 kg kerb (+6.7%). Manual 5 / 95 / 3 Inline becomes Automatic 4 / 92 / 4 Inline. kg/hp falls from 13.8 to 10.6.

Performance and economy (mpg)

0–100: 1.3 MT 14 s; 1.0 MT, 1.3 AT, 1.5 AT not measured.

Top speed: 1.3 MT 155; the other three not measured.

City / highway / combined consumption: not measured on 1.0 MT, 1.3 MT, 1.3 AT, and 1.5 AT. CO2 and eco class: not measured on all four. Tank: 35 L on all four — range cannot be computed without consumption.

There is no mpg figure in the data. Fuel grade does differ: 1.0 MT is 95; 1.3 MT, 1.3 AT, and 1.5 AT are 92.

Dimensions, weight, clearance, wheels

Ground clearance: 121 mm on all four — no version buys extra height.

Tank: 35 L on all four.

Kerb: 1.0 MT 937; 1.3 MT 985; 1.3 AT 985; 1.5 AT 1000.

Gross: 1.3 MT 1300; 1.0 MT, 1.3 AT, 1.5 AT not measured. Payload is therefore measured only for 1.3 MT (315 kg).

Wheel sizes: not measured on all four.

Reliability and problems: what the numbers can and cannot say

The catalogue has no failure rates, recalls, or repair costs. What it does fix:

Same chassis numbers on every version: 121 mm, Independent, spring / Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem, Ventilated disc / Drum, FWD, 35 L. Choosing a version does not change clearance, brakes, or tank.

Engine count and peak rpm differ. 1.0 MT is the only 3 Inline and the only 95. 1.3 MT and 1.3 AT share one 1342 cc 4 Inline map (86 hp, 110 Nm, 9.3, 78.7 × 69). 1.5 AT is a different 1498 cc map (94 hp, 128 Nm, 9.8). Problems that scale with cylinder count or fuel grade cannot be ranked from these rows; they can only be grouped: 1.0 vs the 1.3 pair vs 1.5.

Boost is No on all four — there is no turbo version to pay extra for.

Which version to choose

Buy 1.0 MT if the job is the smallest engine and the lightest kerb (937). It has the highest hp/L (≈68.2) and Nm/L (≈88.3), torque at 3600, Manual 5, and 95. It has the worst kg/hp (≈13.8). 0–100, top speed, gross weight, consumption, wheels, compression, bore × stroke: not measured.

Buy 1.3 MT if you want the only version with a measured sprint and top speed (14 s, 155) and the only measured gross (1300, 315 kg payload). Versus 1.0 MT: +18 hp, +22 Nm, +48 kg, 4 Inline, 92, still Manual 5. Versus 1.3 AT: same engine and 985 kg; you keep five manual ratios instead of four automatic ones.

Buy 1.3 AT if the same 86 hp / 110 Nm / 1342 cc as 1.3 MT must be Automatic 4. You do not buy extra power, extra tank, extra clearance, or a measured 0–100 — those are not measured. You buy the gearbox change only.

Buy 1.5 AT if Automatic 4 is required and you want the most hp and Nm in the line (94 / 128) and the best kg/hp (≈10.6). Versus 1.3 AT: +8 hp, +18 Nm, +15 kg, torque peak 1800 rpm lower (3400 vs 5200), compression 9.8 vs 9.3. 0–100, top speed, gross, consumption, valves per cylinder, wheels: not measured.

If the split is “manual vs automatic,” the data offers two manuals (1.0 MT, 1.3 MT) and two automatics (1.3 AT, 1.5 AT). If the split is “smallest vs strongest,” the ends are 1.0 MT (68 hp, 937 kg) and 1.5 AT (94 hp, 1000 kg). If the split is “numbers on the page,” only 1.3 MT fills 0–100, top speed, and gross together.

Prices are not in this catalogue; “extra money” here means extra cc, extra hp, extra Nm, extra kg, and Manual 5 versus Automatic 4 — not a currency figure.