Honda Z

Honda Z: Which Version Should You Choose?

The Honda Z catalogue contains one generation, produced from October 1970 through December 1974, so the buying decision is not between generations or body styles. Both listed versions are named 0.7 AT, both use the Mini 3-doors body, and both combine a 656 cc Gasoline engine with a 4-speed Automatic gearbox and AWD.

The Honda Z catalogue contains one generation, produced from October 1970 through December 1974, so the buying decision is not between generations or body styles. Both listed versions are named 0.7 AT, both use the Mini 3-doors body, and both combine a 656 cc Gasoline engine with a 4-speed Automatic gearbox and AWD. The meaningful choice is between the 52 hp naturally aspirated version and the 64 hp Turbo version. Based on the available specifications, the 64 hp 0.7 AT offers the stronger power and torque figures for only a small increase in kerb weight, while the 52 hp 0.7 AT provides the simpler non-turbo specification.

Honda Z generations and versions

The Honda Z has one recorded generation: the 1 generation, built from October 1970 to December 1974. It uses a Mini 3-doors body and includes two versions. Both carry the exact catalogue name 0.7 AT, so they must be distinguished by output: 0.7 AT (52 hp) and 0.7 AT (64 hp). No separate restyling is listed in the supplied data.

Because the production dates, body, displacement, gearbox, and drive system are identical, neither version represents a newer generation. The comparison therefore comes down mainly to engine output, boost, torque, engine speed, compression ratio, and kerb weight.

Engine specs: 0.7 AT compared

Both engines are mounted Front, transverse and use Distributed injection (multi-point). Each has four valves per cylinder and a 66 × 64 bore-and-stroke specification.

The 0.7 AT (52 hp) has a compression ratio of 10. Its peak power arrives at 7000 rpm and peak torque at 4000 rpm. The 0.7 AT (64 hp) uses Turbo boost and has a compression ratio of 8.5, with peak power at 6000 rpm and peak torque at 3700 rpm.

The Turbo version adds 12 hp and 33 Nm. That equals approximately 23.1% more horsepower and 55% more torque than the 52 hp version. It also reaches its listed power peak 1000 rpm earlier and its torque peak 300 rpm earlier.

Calculated from the shared 656 cc displacement, the 0.7 AT (52 hp) produces approximately 79.3 hp per litre. The 0.7 AT (64 hp) produces approximately 97.6 hp per litre, an advantage of about 18.3 hp per litre.

Performance, mpg, and fuel economy

Acceleration from 0–100 km/h is not measured for both the 0.7 AT (52 hp) and the 0.7 AT (64 hp). Top speed is also not measured for either version. The available output figures favour the Turbo model, but they cannot be converted into an acceleration or maximum-speed claim without measured data.

City fuel consumption is not measured for either version. Highway fuel consumption is not measured, and combined fuel consumption is not measured as well. Consequently, an mpg comparison cannot be made from the catalogue data. CO₂ emissions are not measured, and the ecological class is not measured for both versions.

Both versions use Gasoline, 92 and have a 35-litre fuel tank. Since no consumption figures are available, their driving range is not measured. The Turbo version’s higher output does not establish that it consumes more fuel; that comparison would require consumption data that are not provided.

Dimensions, weight, and ground clearance

The 0.7 AT (64 hp) weighs 10 kg more than the 0.7 AT (52 hp), an increase of approximately 1%. Ground clearance remains 195 mm, and tank capacity remains 35 litres, so the additional weight is not accompanied by a change in either of those catalogue measurements.

The weight-to-power calculation makes the difference clearer. The 0.7 AT (52 hp) carries approximately 18.5 kg per horsepower, while the 0.7 AT (64 hp) carries approximately 15.2 kg per horsepower. The Turbo version therefore has about 3.3 fewer kilograms for each horsepower.

No exterior length, width, height, or wheelbase measurements are included in the supplied data, so those dimensions are not measured. Gross weight and wheel sizes are also not measured for either version.

Chassis and brakes

There is no listed chassis difference between the two 0.7 AT versions. Both use Independent, spring front suspension and Independent, spring rear suspension. Both also have Disc front brakes and Drum rear brakes.

The shared AWD system, 4-speed Automatic transmission, suspension specification, brake arrangement, and 195 mm ground clearance mean that the catalogue does not identify a drivetrain or chassis advantage for either version. The recorded mechanical distinction is concentrated in the engine and the resulting 10 kg kerb-weight difference.

Reliability and problems

Reliability results are not measured for either Honda Z version. The supplied data contain no failure rates, repair records, service intervals, or owner-reported problems, so neither the 0.7 AT (52 hp) nor the 0.7 AT (64 hp) can be declared more reliable from this dataset.

The 52 hp version has no boost, whereas the 64 hp version uses Turbo boost. That is a factual configuration difference, but it is not evidence of a reliability difference. Any claim about maintenance cost, durability, or common problems would require information not present in the catalogue data.

Which Honda Z 0.7 AT should you buy?

Choose the 0.7 AT (64 hp) when performance-related specifications matter most. Compared with the 52 hp version, it provides 12 hp more power, 33 Nm more torque, approximately 18.3 hp per litre more specific output, and a weight-to-power figure of about 15.2 rather than 18.5 kg per horsepower. It delivers those gains while adding only 10 kg of kerb weight. Its peak output figures also occur at lower engine speeds: 6000 rpm for power and 3700 rpm for torque.

Choose the 0.7 AT (52 hp) if you specifically prefer the non-turbo engine listed with No boost. It is 10 kg lighter and has a compression ratio of 10 rather than 8.5. However, the data do not show an economy, reliability, acceleration, or top-speed advantage for this version because all those comparative measurements are unavailable.

No price data are provided, so the extra purchase cost of the Turbo version is not measured. In specification terms, what a buyer gains with the 0.7 AT (64 hp) is precisely 12 hp and 33 Nm for 10 kg of additional kerb weight. Unless the non-turbo configuration itself is the priority, the 0.7 AT (64 hp) is the stronger choice on the supplied numbers.