Lancia Prisma

Lancia Prisma: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Lancia Prisma was offered as a Sedan in a single generation built from 1982 to 1989. Its 11 listed versions range from the 75 hp 1.3 MT to the 116 hp AWD 2.0 MT, with Gasoline and Diesel engines, Manual and Automatic gearboxes, and FWD or AWD.

The Lancia Prisma was offered as a Sedan in a single generation built from 1982 to 1989. Its 11 listed versions range from the 75 hp 1.3 MT to the 116 hp AWD 2.0 MT, with Gasoline and Diesel engines, Manual and Automatic gearboxes, and FWD or AWD. The best choice depends on priorities: the 107 hp 1.6 MT has the quickest measured acceleration at 10 seconds from 0–100 km/h and the highest measured top speed at 185 km/h, while the 2.0 MT is the only AWD version and delivers the highest output at 116 hp. Buyers wanting an Automatic must choose the 85 hp 1.5 AT, and those wanting Diesel can select either the 65 hp naturally aspirated 1.9 MT or the 90 hp Turbo 1.9 MT.

Lancia Prisma generation and version range

The only Lancia Prisma generation in the catalogue covers 1982–1989. It has a Sedan body and 11 versions. Because there is only one generation, the buying decision is entirely about the engine, gearbox, drive, performance, and weight differences among those versions rather than changes between generations.

Several names occur more than once and must be distinguished by output. The 1.5 MT is listed with either 75 hp or 85 hp. The four 1.6 MT versions produce 90 hp, 101 hp, 105 hp, or 107 hp. The two 1.9 MT Diesel versions develop 65 hp without boost or 90 hp with Turbo boost.

Lancia Prisma engine and gearbox specs

Every engine is mounted at the front in a transverse position. Among the Gasoline choices, the 1.3 MT, both 1.5 MT versions, the 1.5 AT, and the 105 hp 1.6 MT use a Carburetor. The 90 hp and 107 hp 1.6 MT versions and the 2.0 MT use Distributed injection (multi-point). The fuel system for the 101 hp 1.6 MT and both 1.9 MT Diesel versions is not measured.

Calculated specific output helps separate engines of similar size. The 75 hp 1.3 MT produces approximately 57.6 hp per litre. The 75 hp and 85 hp 1.5 MT versions produce approximately 50.1 and 56.7 hp per litre respectively, and the 1.5 AT matches the latter figure. Across the 1.6 MT range, specific output rises from approximately 56.8 hp per litre at 90 hp to 63.7 at 101 hp, 66.2 at 105 hp, and 67.5 at 107 hp. The 116 hp 2.0 MT delivers approximately 58.1 hp per litre. The Diesel pair produces approximately 33.7 hp per litre at 65 hp and 46.7 hp per litre at 90 hp.

Lancia Prisma performance and mpg

For measured acceleration, the 107 hp 1.6 MT leads at 10 seconds. It is 0.2 seconds quicker than the 105 hp 1.6 MT, 0.4 seconds quicker than the 101 hp 1.6 MT, and 0.5 seconds quicker than the 2.0 MT. It also records the highest measured top speed at 185 km/h, exceeding the 2.0 MT by 1 km/h.

The transmission comparison is clearest between the 85 hp 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT. Both have 123 Nm and 1498 cc, but the Manual version reaches 0–100 km/h in 12 seconds and 165 km/h, while the Automatic needs 14.3 seconds and reaches 160 km/h. That makes the Automatic 2.3 seconds slower to 100 km/h and 5 km/h slower at the top end.

No city, highway, or combined fuel-consumption figure is measured for any version, so an mpg-based recommendation cannot be made from this catalogue data. Tank capacity, CO₂ emissions, and ecological class are also not measured for every version.

Lancia Prisma dimensions, weight, and ground clearance

Calculated kerb weight per horsepower reinforces the performance results. The 1.3 MT carries approximately 12.5 kg per hp, while the 85 hp 1.5 MT carries approximately 11.1 kg per hp and the 1.5 AT approximately 11.3 kg per hp. The 1.6 MT versions improve from approximately 11.1 kg per hp at 90 hp to 9.8 at 101 hp, 9.3 at 105 hp, and 9.3 at 107 hp. The 2.0 MT carries approximately 10.2 kg per hp, while the 90 hp 1.9 MT carries approximately 11.8 kg per hp. A ratio cannot be calculated for the 75 hp 1.5 MT or the 65 hp 1.9 MT because kerb weight is not measured.

Ground clearance is 140 mm for every listed version. Tank capacity and wheel sizes are not measured throughout the range. All versions use Independent, spring front and rear suspension. The 1.3 MT, both 1.5 MT versions, the 1.5 AT, and both Diesel 1.9 MT versions combine front Disc brakes with rear Drum brakes. Every 1.6 MT and the 2.0 MT have Disc brakes at both ends.

Which Lancia Prisma version should you buy?

Choose the 107 hp 1.6 MT if measured performance is the priority. Its 10-second acceleration, 185 km/h top speed, and approximately 9.3 kg-per-hp weight ratio make it the strongest performance choice in the supplied figures. Compared with the 90 hp 1.6 MT, it adds 17 hp and cuts the measured 0–100 km/h time by 1 second.

Choose the 105 hp 1.6 MT if you want nearly the same acceleration with the lowest measured kerb weight among the 1.6 MT versions. At 975 kg, it is 20 kg lighter than the 107 hp car and only 0.2 seconds slower to 100 km/h, although its measured top speed is 7 km/h lower.

Choose the 101 hp 1.6 MT if maximum listed torque among the 1.6 MT Gasoline versions matters more than the final few horsepower. It produces 137 Nm, which is 1 Nm more than the 105 hp version and 2 Nm more than the 107 hp version. Its measured 10.4-second acceleration and 180 km/h top speed place it between the lower-output 1.6 MT and the two more powerful alternatives.

Choose the 2.0 MT when AWD is the decisive requirement. It is the only AWD Prisma listed, and it also has the highest output at 116 hp and the highest Gasoline torque at 163 Nm. Its 1180 kg kerb weight is 185 kg greater than that of the 107 hp 1.6 MT, helping explain why its measured acceleration is 0.5 seconds slower despite having 9 hp more.

Choose the 1.5 AT only when an Automatic gearbox is essential, because it is the sole Automatic version. Its convenience comes with lower measured performance than the otherwise closely matched 85 hp 1.5 MT Manual: acceleration is 2.3 seconds slower and top speed is 5 km/h lower.

Among the Diesel choices, the 90 hp 1.9 MT is the numerically stronger option. Turbo boost raises output by 25 hp and torque by 67 Nm over the 65 hp 1.9 MT, reaching 186 Nm—the highest torque figure in the entire range. It records 12.9 seconds to 100 km/h and 170 km/h, while those performance figures for the 65 hp version are not measured.

For a lower-output Gasoline Manual, the 85 hp 1.5 MT offers 10 hp and 18 Nm more than the 1.3 MT. It also reaches 100 km/h 2.3 seconds sooner and has a top speed 2 km/h higher. The 75 hp 1.5 MT matches the 1.3 MT’s power but adds 13 Nm; however, its acceleration, top speed, and weight are not measured. Without purchase prices or measured fuel consumption, the catalogue cannot determine which lower-output version provides the best financial value.