Lancia Zeta

Lancia Zeta: which version to buy (1995–2002)

If you are choosing a Lancia Zeta rather than learning what it is, the decision is inside one generation (1995–2002, Compact Van, seven versions). All seven are FWD. Fuel consumption is not measured on every version. The spread that matters is 109–147 hp, 10.1–14.8 s to 100 km/h, 175–195 km/h, and 1560–1690 kg kerb weight.

If you are choosing a Lancia Zeta rather than learning what it is, the decision is inside one generation (1995–2002, Compact Van, seven versions). All seven are FWD. Fuel consumption is not measured on every version. The spread that matters is 109–147 hp, 10.1–14.8 s to 100 km/h, 175–195 km/h, and 1560–1690 kg kerb weight. Below, versions keep the catalogue names 2.0 MT, 2.1 MT, and 2.0 AT, split by power where names repeat.

Which version to choose

Fastest and densest power: the turbo Gasoline 2.0 MT (147 hp / 108 kW at 5300 rpm, 235 Nm at 2500 rpm, 1998 cm³). It is the only version under 11 s to 100 km/h (10.1 s) and the only one at 195 km/h. Power per litre is 147 / 1.998 ≈ 73.6 hp/l — highest in the set. Weight per horsepower is 1645 / 147 ≈ 11.2 kg/hp — lightest load per hp. You pay with rear Drum brakes (not Disc), 2 valves per cylinder, compression 8.5, and 695 kg payload (2340 − 1645). Fuel use is not measured.

Best diesel torque without chasing the 2.1’s 0–100: both Diesel 2.0 MT engines make 250 Nm, the joint peak. The 136 hp Diesel 2.0 MT (100 kW at 6000 rpm, 250 Nm at 1750 rpm, 1997 cm³) is 55 kg lighter than the 109 hp Diesel 2.0 MT (1615 vs 1670 kg) and 75 kg lighter than the Diesel 2.1 MT (1690 kg). Payload is the largest in the catalogue: 2385 − 1615 = 770 kg. Same 14.8 s and 175 km/h as the 109 hp 2.0 diesel, so the extra 27 hp does not buy a quicker 0–100 figure here. Rear brakes are Drum. Ground clearance is 150 mm.

Quickest diesel 0–100: Diesel 2.1 MT (109 hp / 80 kW at 4300 rpm, 250 Nm at 2000 rpm, 2088 cm³) does 12.7 s and 175 km/h. Versus the 109 hp Diesel 2.0 MT that is 2.1 s quicker (14.8 − 12.7) at the same 109 hp and the same 250 Nm, with torque 250 rpm later (2000 vs 1750). Displacement is 91 cm³ larger (2088 vs 1997). Compression is 21.5 vs 17.6. Valves per cylinder are 3 vs 2. It is the heaviest kerb (1690 kg) and the weakest power per litre among diesels (109 / 2.088 ≈ 52.2 hp/l). Front and rear brakes are Disc. Ground clearance 150 mm. Fuel use not measured.

Lightest petrol daily driver: naturally aspirated Gasoline 2.0 MT (132 hp / 97 kW at 6000 rpm, 190 Nm at 4100 rpm, 1997 cm³) is the lightest Zeta at 1560 kg. Payload 2315 − 1560 = 755 kg. 0–100 is 13.4 s; top speed 186 km/h. Versus the 136 hp Gasoline 2.0 MT, you give up 4 hp and 0.9 s (12.5 vs 13.4) for 40 kg less kerb. Same 190 Nm, same 4100 rpm, same 4 valves, boost No, fuel 95, Disc/Disc, clearance 150 mm. Fuel use not measured.

Strongest naturally aspirated petrol, manual: Gasoline 2.0 MT (136 hp / 100 kW at 6000 rpm, 190 Nm at 4100 rpm, 1997 cm³) — 12.5 s, 186 km/h, 1600 kg, payload 715 kg (2315 − 1600). Power per litre 136 / 1.997 ≈ 68.1 hp/l. Versus the 147 hp turbo 2.0 MT, it is 11 hp and 45 Nm down, 2.4 s slower, 9 km/h slower, but 45 kg lighter and uses rear Disc instead of Drum.

Only automatic: Gasoline 2.0 AT (136 hp / 100 kW at 6000 rpm, 190 Nm at 4100 rpm, 1997 cm³, Automatic, 4 gears). Versus the matching 136 hp Gasoline 2.0 MT: +0.3 s to 100 (12.8 vs 12.5), −3 km/h (183 vs 186), +25 kg (1625 vs 1600). Same engine geometry (85 × 88, compression 10.4, 4 valves, boost No, multi-point injection, fuel 95). If you need four gears and Automatic, this is the only Zeta that has them.

Avoid if you need a measured 0–100 gain from extra diesel hp: the 109 hp Diesel 2.0 MT (80 kW at 4000 rpm, 250 Nm at 1750 rpm) matches the 136 hp Diesel 2.0 MT at 14.8 s and 175 km/h while weighing 1670 kg (heavier by 55 kg). Ground clearance is not measured on this version (150 mm on the other six). Rear brakes are Disc. Tank 80 l, same as all seven. Fuel use not measured.

There is no second generation to “wait for”: pokoleniy = 1. Choosing is engine, gearbox, and the kg/hp and 0–100 arithmetic above, not a later body.

Generations (what changed — only one)

1 generation (1995–2002), Compact Van, 7 versions. Start 1995-01-01, stop 2002-12-31. Every version is Front, transverse, FWD, tank 80 l. No restyling is listed as a separate generation. Differences are engine family (Diesel 1997 / 2088 vs Gasoline 1997 / 1998), boost (Turbo vs No), gearbox (Manual 5 vs Automatic 4), kerb 1560–1690 kg, and rear brake type (Disc vs Drum). Wheel sizes are not measured on all seven.

Engines and specs

Valves per cylinder: 2 on both Diesel 2.0 MT and on the 147 hp Gasoline 2.0 MT; 3 on 2.1 MT; 4 on the three naturally aspirated Gasoline versions. Injection is listed only on Gasoline: Distributed injection (multi-point). Diesel injection is not measured. Bore × stroke: 85 × 88 on five 1997 cm³ engines; 85 × 92 on 2.1 MT; 86 × 86 on the 147 hp 2.0 MT.

Power per litre (hp / litres): 54.6 (109 hp Diesel 2.0), 68.1 (136 hp Diesel 2.0), 52.2 (2.1 MT), 68.1 (136 hp Gasoline MT and AT), 73.6 (147 hp Gasoline), 66.1 (132 hp Gasoline).

Torque per litre (Nm / litres): 125.2 on both 1997 cm³ diesels, 119.7 on 2.1 MT, 117.6 on 147 hp Gasoline, 95.1 on the three 190 Nm Gasoline engines.

Performance and economy (0–100, top speed, mpg)

Fuel consumption (city / highway / combined) is not measured on all seven versions. CO2 is not measured. Eco class is not measured. There is no mpg figure to rank versions; rank on 0–100 and top speed only.

Spread: 4.7 s (14.8 − 10.1) and 20 km/h (195 − 175). Diesel ceiling is 175 km/h on all three diesels. Gasoline ceiling is 183–195 km/h. The Automatic costs 3 km/h versus its Manual twin.

Dimensions and weight

Wheel sizes are not measured on all seven. Ground clearance is not measured on the 109 hp Diesel 2.0 MT; it is 150 mm on the other six. Tank is 80 l on every version.

Gross weight peaks at 2395 kg (109 hp Diesel 2.0 MT). Lightest kerb is 1560 kg (132 hp Gasoline 2.0 MT). Independent, spring suspension front and rear on all seven.

Rear brakes: Drum on 136 hp Diesel 2.0 MT and 147 hp Gasoline 2.0 MT; Disc on the other five. Front brakes are Disc on all seven.

Problems, reliability, and what the numbers do not buy

No prices, no failure rates, and no mpg are in the data. What you can still decide:

• Need Automatic: only 2.0 AT (136 hp Gasoline). The extra 0.3 s and 3 km/h loss versus 136 hp 2.0 MT is the measured cost of 4-speed Automatic vs 5-speed Manual.
• Need 250 Nm: any of the three diesels. The 2.1’s 12.7 s is the diesel that actually uses that torque in 0–100; both 2.0 diesels stay at 14.8 s.
• Need Disc rear and sub-13 s: 2.1 MT (diesel) or 136 hp Gasoline 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT / 132 hp Gasoline 2.0 MT. The 147 hp turbo 2.0 MT is faster but Drum at the rear.
• Need maximum payload: 136 hp Diesel 2.0 MT at 770 kg.
• Need lowest kerb: 132 hp Gasoline 2.0 MT at 1560 kg.

One generation, seven FWD Compact Van versions, 1995–2002: pick by the table, not by a later facelift that is not in this dataset.