Lancia Dedra

Lancia Dedra: which version to buy

The Lancia Dedra exists as one generation (1 generation, Sedan, 1989-01-01 to 1999-12-31; listed versions run to 2000-12-31). There is no later generation to “step up” to, so the buying choice is which of the 12 catalogued versions of this single generation to take. All 12 share a 63 L tank, Front, transverse 4 Inline engines, and Disc brakes at both ends.

The Lancia Dedra exists as one generation (1 generation, Sedan, 1989-01-01 to 1999-12-31; listed versions run to 2000-12-31). There is no later generation to “step up” to, so the buying choice is which of the 12 catalogued versions of this single generation to take. All 12 share a 63 L tank, Front, transverse 4 Inline engines, and Disc brakes at both ends. From there the spread is large: 78–169 hp, 124–274 Nm, FWD versus one AWD car, Manual 5 versus one Automatic 4, Gasoline versus one Diesel, No boost versus Turbo, and kerb weight from 1100 kg to 1345 kg. Use the numbers below as the filter.

Generations: one body, twelve versions

1 generation (1989–1999, Sedan). The catalogue lists 20 modifications for this generation and shows 12 of them. Restyling is not a separate generation here. Because there is only one generation, “which generation changed what” is not a comparison you can make: every difference is a version difference inside 1 generation.

The 12 versions, named exactly as in the data and split by power when names collide:

Injection (English labels as given): 1.6 MT 78 hp uses Central injection (single-point or single- point). Every other Gasoline version uses Distributed injection (multi-point). For 1.9 MT 90 hp the injection system is not measured.

Specs: power per litre and kg per horsepower

Specific output (hp per litre of displacement) ranks the engines without mixing body size:

• 2.0 MT 169 hp: 169 / 1.995 = 84.7 hp/L (highest)
• 2.0 MT 162 hp: 162 / 1.995 = 81.2 hp/L
• 1.8 MT 131 hp: 131 / 1.747 = 75.0 hp/L
• 2.0 MT 139 hp: 139 / 1.995 = 69.7 hp/L
• 1.8 MT 113 hp: 113 / 1.747 = 64.7 hp/L
• 1.8 MT 101 hp: 101 / 1.756 = 57.5 hp/L
• 1.6 MT 90 hp: 90 / 1.581 = 56.9 hp/L
• 2.0 MT 113 hp and 2.0 AT 113 hp: 113 / 1.995 = 56.6 hp/L
• 1.8 MT 90 hp: 90 / 1.765 = 51.0 hp/L
• 1.6 MT 78 hp: 78 / 1.581 = 49.3 hp/L
• 1.9 MT 90 hp: 90 / 1.929 = 46.7 hp/L (lowest)

Kerb kg per hp (lower is more power for the mass you move). Versions with kerb not measured are called out:

• 2.0 MT 162 hp: 1245 / 162 = 7.69 kg/hp (best measured)
• 2.0 MT 169 hp: 1345 / 169 = 7.96 kg/hp (AWD adds 100 kg over the 162 hp FWD turbo)
• 2.0 MT 139 hp: 1260 / 139 = 9.06 kg/hp
• 1.8 MT 131 hp: 1310 / 131 = 10.00 kg/hp
• 2.0 MT 113 hp: 1218 / 113 = 10.78 kg/hp
• 1.8 MT 113 hp: 1310 / 113 = 11.59 kg/hp
• 1.8 MT 101 hp: 1215 / 101 = 12.03 kg/hp
• 1.8 MT 90 hp: 1173 / 90 = 13.03 kg/hp
• 1.6 MT 90 hp: 1198 / 90 = 13.31 kg/hp
• 1.6 MT 78 hp: 1100 / 78 = 14.10 kg/hp
• 1.9 MT 90 hp: 1303 / 90 = 14.48 kg/hp (heaviest per hp)
• 2.0 AT 113 hp: kerb not measured, so kg/hp is not measured

What that ranking means for a buyer: the two Turbo 2.0 MT cars sit in a different class of mass-to-power from everything else. The naturally aspirated 4-valve cars (1.8 MT 131 hp, 2.0 MT 139 hp) are the next step. The three 90 hp cars are not equivalent: 1.8 MT 90 hp is 25 kg lighter than 1.6 MT 90 hp and 130 kg lighter than 1.9 MT 90 hp.

Performance and mpg: what the extra power actually buys

0–100 km/h (seconds) and top speed (km/h), plus the three consumption figures where they exist. “Not measured” is stated, not skipped.

Arithmetic on those measured times:

• 2.0 MT 169 hp vs 2.0 MT 162 hp: +7 hp, −10 Nm, −0.3 s, same 215 km/h. AWD versus FWD. Mixed consumption +0.7 L/100 km (9.9 vs 9.2). City +1.1, highway +0.6. The extra 7 hp and AWD cost 100 kg (1345 vs 1245) and do not raise top speed.
• 2.0 MT 162 hp vs 2.0 MT 139 hp: +23 hp, +94 Nm, −1.1 s, +5 km/h. Turbo versus No boost, 2 valves versus 4. The turbo’s 274 Nm is 94 Nm above the 139 hp car’s 180 Nm.
• 2.0 MT 139 hp vs 1.8 MT 131 hp: +8 hp, +16 Nm, −0.6 s, +7 km/h, on 248 cc more (1995 vs 1747) and 50 kg less kerb (1260 vs 1310).
• 1.8 MT 131 hp vs 1.8 MT 113 hp: same 1747 cc, same 1310 kg, same 1735 kg gross. +18 hp, +10 Nm, −0.3 s, +12 km/h. The 131 hp car uses 4 valves per cylinder; the 113 hp car uses 2. Peak power is 500 rpm later (6300 vs 5800); peak torque is 400 rpm earlier (4000 vs 4400). Compression is 10.3 on both. That 0.3 s / 12 km/h is the entire measured return of the 4-valve 1.8.
• 1.8 MT 113 hp vs 2.0 MT 113 hp: same 113 hp, 2 Nm less on the 1.8 (154 vs 156), but the 1.8 is 0.5 s quicker (10.3 vs 10.8) and 4 km/h slower at the top (191 vs 195). Kerb is 92 kg higher on the 1.8 (1310 vs 1218). Specific output favours the smaller engine (64.7 vs 56.6 hp/L). If 113 hp is the target, the 1.8 MT 113 hp is the denser engine; the 2.0 MT 113 hp is the lighter car with a higher top speed.
• 2.0 AT 113 hp vs 2.0 MT 113 hp: same 113 hp, 156 Nm, 1995 cc, 2 valves, No boost, FWD. The difference is Automatic 4 versus Manual 5. 0–100, top speed, consumption and kerb of the Automatic are not measured, so you cannot quantify what the Automatic costs in pace or fuel from this catalogue. Gross weight is the same 1710 kg.
• 1.8 MT 101 hp vs 1.8 MT 90 hp: +11 hp, +14 Nm, −0.1 s, +5 km/h. Displacement 1756 vs 1765 cc. The 101 hp car is 42 kg heavier (1215 vs 1173). Torque peaks earlier on the 101 hp car (2500 vs 3250 rpm).
• Three cars at 90 hp and 180 km/h: 1.6 MT 90 hp (13.4 s, 127 Nm, 1198 kg), 1.8 MT 90 hp (12.6 s, 128 Nm, 1173 kg), 1.9 MT 90 hp Diesel (13.5 s, 186 Nm, 1303 kg). The 1.8 is 0.8 s quicker than the 1.6 and 0.9 s quicker than the diesel. The diesel’s 186 Nm is 59 Nm above the 1.6 and 58 Nm above the 1.8 — the torque gap is the diesel’s case, not the stopwatch.
• 1.6 MT 90 hp vs 1.6 MT 78 hp: same 1581 cc, same 9.2 compression, same 86.4 × 67.4 bore/stroke. +12 hp, +3 Nm. Peak torque 750 rpm earlier (2750 vs 3500). The 90 hp car is 98 kg heavier (1198 vs 1100). 0–100 and top speed of the 78 hp car are not measured, so the pace gap is not measured. Injection changes from Central injection (single-point or single- point) to Distributed injection (multi-point). Rear suspension label changes from Independent, spring to Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem.

Fuel: only two Gasoline versions have consumption measured. 1.6 MT 90 hp mixed 7.3 versus 2.0 MT 162 hp mixed 9.2 (+1.9 L/100 km) and 2.0 MT 169 hp mixed 9.9 (+2.6 versus the 1.6). On a 63 L tank that mixed figure implies a theoretical mixed range of 63 / 7.3 ≈ 8.6 tankfuls of 100 km for 1.6 MT 90 hp, 63 / 9.2 ≈ 6.8 for 2.0 MT 162 hp, and 63 / 9.9 ≈ 6.4 for 2.0 MT 169 hp. For every other version, city, highway and mixed consumption are not measured. CO2 and eco class are not measured on all 12.

Dimensions and weight

Wheel size is not measured on all 12. Ground clearance is 120 mm where it is given, and not measured on 1.6 MT 90 hp, 1.8 MT 113 hp, 1.8 MT 131 hp, and 1.9 MT 90 hp.

Kerb / gross (kg):

• 1.6 MT 78 hp: 1100 / 1590 (lightest kerb; payload 490 kg)
• 1.8 MT 90 hp: 1173 / 1700 (payload 527 kg)
• 1.6 MT 90 hp: 1198 / 1640 (payload 442 kg)
• 1.8 MT 101 hp: 1215 / not measured
• 2.0 MT 113 hp: 1218 / 1710 (payload 492 kg)
• 2.0 MT 162 hp: 1245 / 1680 (payload 435 kg)
• 2.0 MT 139 hp: 1260 / not measured
• 1.9 MT 90 hp: 1303 / 1745 (payload 442 kg)
• 1.8 MT 113 hp and 1.8 MT 131 hp: 1310 / 1735 (payload 425 kg)
• 2.0 MT 169 hp: 1345 / 1780 (heaviest kerb and gross; payload 435 kg)
• 2.0 AT 113 hp: not measured / 1710

The lightest Dedra (1.6 MT 78 hp, 1100 kg) is 245 kg lighter than the heaviest (2.0 MT 169 hp, 1345 kg). Payload is highest on 1.8 MT 90 hp (527 kg) among versions with both masses measured, and lowest on the two 1.8 MT cars at 1310 kg (425 kg). Turbo FWD and AWD share a 435 kg payload despite the 100 kg kerb gap.

Front suspension is Independent, spring on all 12. Rear is Independent, spring on 1.6 MT 78 hp, 1.8 MT 90 hp, 1.8 MT 101 hp, 2.0 AT 113 hp, 2.0 MT 113 hp, 2.0 MT 139 hp, 2.0 MT 162 hp, 2.0 MT 169 hp. Rear is Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem on 1.6 MT 90 hp, 1.8 MT 113 hp, 1.8 MT 131 hp, and 1.9 MT 90 hp. That rear-axle split does not follow power: the 131 hp 1.8 shares the semi-independent label with the 90 hp 1.6 and the diesel.

Which version to choose

If the question is “fastest Dedra”: 2.0 MT 169 hp (8.0 s, 215 km/h, AWD, 169 hp, 264 Nm). It is 0.3 s quicker than 2.0 MT 162 hp and matches its 215 km/h top speed. You pay 100 kg, 7.8 vs 7.2 highway, and 10 Nm less peak torque (264 vs 274). Buy 169 hp only if AWD is the point; the stopwatch gap is 0.3 s.

If the question is “most punch per kilo, FWD”: 2.0 MT 162 hp (7.69 kg/hp, 274 Nm — the catalogue’s torque peak — 8.3 s, 215 km/h, Turbo, mixed 9.2). Versus 2.0 MT 139 hp you gain 94 Nm and 1.1 s; versus 1.8 MT 131 hp you gain 110 Nm and 1.7 s. Compression is 7.5 on both turbos versus 9.2–10.3 on the naturally aspirated Gasoline engines.

If the question is “naturally aspirated, still quick”: 2.0 MT 139 hp (9.4 s, 210 km/h, 4 valves, 180 Nm, 1260 kg) then 1.8 MT 131 hp (10.0 s, 203 km/h, 4 valves, 164 Nm, 1310 kg). The 2.0 is 0.6 s and 7 km/h ahead on 8 hp and 50 kg less. Fuel for both is not measured.

If the question is “113 hp, which gearbox and which engine”: three cars make 113 hp. 1.8 MT 113 hp (10.3 s, 191 km/h, 1747 cc, 1310 kg). 2.0 MT 113 hp (10.8 s, 195 km/h, 1995 cc, 1218 kg). 2.0 AT 113 hp (Automatic 4; 0–100, top speed, consumption, kerb not measured). Between the two manuals, the 1.8 is quicker to 100 by 0.5 s and 92 kg heavier; the 2.0 is 4 km/h faster at the top. Choose 2.0 AT 113 hp only for Automatic 4 — the catalogue does not measure what that gearbox does to pace or fuel.

If the question is “smallest engine that is fully measured”: 1.6 MT 90 hp is the only 1.6 with 0–100 (13.4 s), top speed (180), and all three consumption figures (9.3 / 5.5 / 7.3). It is the lowest mixed figure in the table. Versus 1.6 MT 78 hp you gain 12 hp and multi-point injection; you lose 98 kg of lightness and you lose Independent, spring at the rear. Versus 1.8 MT 90 hp you are 0.8 s slower and 25 kg heavier, with 1 Nm less, but you have the only measured 1.6 mpg set.

If the question is “lightest car”: 1.6 MT 78 hp at 1100 kg. It has the lowest power (78 hp), 124 Nm, Central injection (single-point or single- point), Independent, spring at both ends, 120 mm clearance, 1590 kg gross. 0–100, top speed and consumption are not measured. Do not treat it as a proven slow car; treat it as the lightest car with pace not measured.

If the question is “diesel”: only 1.9 MT 90 hp. Turbo Diesel, 186 Nm at 2500 rpm (second-highest torque after 2.0 MT 162 hp’s 274 Nm, and 22 Nm below 2.0 MT 169 hp’s 264 Nm despite 79 hp less than that AWD car). 13.5 s and 180 km/h — 0.1 s behind 1.6 MT 90 hp, 0.9 s behind 1.8 MT 90 hp, same 180 km/h as both. Compression 19.2 versus 7.5–10.3 on Gasoline. Fuel type Diesel. Consumption not measured. Injection not measured. Clearance not measured. Rear Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem. Buy it for 186 Nm and Diesel, not for the stopwatch.

If the question is “mid 1.8, not the 4-valve”: 1.8 MT 101 hp (12.5 s, 185 km/h, 142 Nm at 2500, 1215 kg, 120 mm) sits 1.1 s and 5 km/h ahead of 1.8 MT 90 hp, and 2.2 s and 6 km/h behind 1.8 MT 113 hp. Gross weight of the 101 hp car is not measured.

Problems / reliability as far as the numbers go. The catalogue does not record failure rates. What it does record: two Turbo Gasoline versions run 7.5 compression and 264–274 Nm through a 5-speed Manual; one Diesel Turbo runs 19.2 compression and 186 Nm; the 78 hp 1.6 is the only Central injection (single-point or single- point) car; four versions use the semi-independent rear label and eight use Independent, spring at the rear. CO2, eco class, and wheel size are not measured on any version, so those cannot decide the purchase.

Short map. Fastest and only AWD: 2.0 MT 169 hp. Strongest FWD and highest torque: 2.0 MT 162 hp. Best measured naturally aspirated pace: 2.0 MT 139 hp. Densest 1.8: 1.8 MT 131 hp. Only Automatic: 2.0 AT 113 hp. Only Diesel: 1.9 MT 90 hp. Only fully measured small Gasoline: 1.6 MT 90 hp. Lightest: 1.6 MT 78 hp. There is no second generation to pick instead of these.