Mazda Luce

Mazda Luce: generations compared: what actually changed

1 generation (1966-04-01–1973-05-31, Coupe, 3 versions) is FWD only. The 1.3 MT (126 hp, 1300 cm³, Rotor, Gasoline, 92) already makes 96.9 hp/L — almost the same specific output as the later 3 generation 1.3 MT (127 hp from 1308 cm³, 97.1 hp/L). The 1.5 MT (57 hp, 1490 cm³, Inline) is the weakest Gasoline Luce at 38.3 hp/L. The 1.8 MT (104 hp, 1800 cm³, Inline) sits at 57.8 hp/L.

1 generation (1966-04-01–1973-05-31, Coupe, 3 versions) is FWD only. The 1.3 MT (126 hp, 1300 cm³, Rotor, Gasoline, 92) already makes 96.9 hp/L — almost the same specific output as the later 3 generation 1.3 MT (127 hp from 1308 cm³, 97.1 hp/L). The 1.5 MT (57 hp, 1490 cm³, Inline) is the weakest Gasoline Luce at 38.3 hp/L. The 1.8 MT (104 hp, 1800 cm³, Inline) sits at 57.8 hp/L. Cylinders, boost, 0–100, top speed, mpg, kerb weight, tank, clearance and brakes are not measured on all three.

2 generation (1973-06-01–1977-01-31, Coupe, 2 versions) keeps FWD and the 4-speed Manual. Two cars share the name 1.8 MT: 110 hp (61.1 hp/L) versus 83 hp (46.1 hp/L). The extra 27 hp is +32.5% on the same 1800 cm³ Inline Gasoline 92 package. Torque, boost, economy, mass and brakes remain not measured. If the badge says 1.8 MT on a 2 generation Coupe, the 110 hp row is the one that moved the needle; the 83 hp row is the same displacement at a lower rating.

3 generation (1977-01-01–1981-12-31, Sedan, 6 versions) is the layout break: RWD, 175 mm ground clearance on every row, and the first Diesel. Rotor 1.3 MT (127 hp) keeps Distributed injection (multi-point) and 95 octane. Piston 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT are both 83 hp / 1800 cm³ / 4 Inline — the Automatic costs a 3-speed gearbox versus a 5-speed Manual at identical power. 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT (90 hp, 153 Nm at 2500 rpm, 1998 cm³, 4 Inline, compression 8.6, 86 × 86, Distributed injection (multi-point), 95) are 45.0 hp/L. 2.2 MT (66 hp, 2200 cm³, 4 Inline, Diesel, 5-speed Manual, RWD) is 30.0 hp/L, the lowest specific output in the catalogue. Kerb weight, tank, 0–100, top speed and mpg are not measured on this generation. Rear brakes are not measured. Front brakes are Disc.

4 generation (1981-01-01–1986-12-31, Sedan, 16 modifications listed as 12 rows here) is where mass and Turbo appear together. Tank is 60 L on every measured row — 10 L less than 5 generation’s 70 L. Clearance is not measured. Front brakes are Ventilated disc; rear are Disc. Engines sit Front, longitudinal. The lightest Luce with a kerb figure is the 1.8 MT (100 hp): 1070 kg. The heaviest 4 generation row is the 1.2 AT (165 hp) at 1235 kg — still 245 kg under the 5 generation 1.3 AT (180 hp) at 1480 kg.

5 generation (1988-09-01–1991-12-31, Sedan, 20 modifications, 12 rows in the table below) is the heaviest and the only generation with both a measured sprint and a measured mpg row. Tank is 70 L. Clearance is 170 mm — 5 mm lower than 3 generation’s 175 mm. Drive stays RWD. The Automatic is 4-speed; the Manual is 5-speed. Rear brakes split: Drum on the 82 hp carburetor cars, Disc on naturally aspirated injected cars, Disc ventilated on the Turbo 145 hp and Rotor 180 hp cars.

Engines and specs

Duplicate names are split by horsepower (and, where power matches, by cylinder layout). Fuel type, gearbox, drive and boost use the English labels from the data.

Power per litre (hp ÷ cm³ × 1000) ranks the buy: 4 generation 1.2 MT 165 hp Turbo = 144.0; 1.2 MT 160 hp Turbo = 139.6; 5 generation 1.3 AT 180 hp Turbo = 137.6; 4 generation naturally aspirated Rotor 1.2 MT 130 hp = 113.4; 4 generation 1.3 AT 160 hp = 122.3; 5 generation 2.0 MT 150 hp = 75.0; 5 generation 2.0 AT 145 hp Turbo = 72.6; 5 generation 2.0 MT 116 hp = 58.1; 5 generation 2.0 MT 110 hp = 55.1; 5 generation 2.0 MT 82 hp = 41.0; 3 generation 2.2 MT Diesel = 30.0.

Performance and economy

0–100 km/h is measured on two cars only. 5 generation 1.3 AT (180 hp, 1480 kg) does 9.1 s and 210 km/h. 5 generation 2.0 MT (150 hp, 1420 kg) does 10.8 s and 185 km/h. The Rotor Automatic is 1.7 s quicker and 25 km/h faster. It also carries 60 kg more (1480 − 1420). Weight per horsepower is 8.22 kg/hp on the 1.3 AT versus 9.47 kg/hp on the 2.0 MT 150 hp. Every other 0–100 and top speed figure is not measured.

Fuel consumption is measured on one car: 5 generation 2.0 MT (150 hp) at 13.2 L/100 km city, 8.5 highway, 10.6 mixed. CO2 and eco class are not measured on any version. If mpg is the buying criterion, that 150 hp 2.0 MT is the only row you can quote; the 82 hp carburetor cars look lighter on paper (1240–1260 kg) but their consumption is not measured, so they cannot be called more economical from this catalogue.

Dimensions and weight

Kerb weight is the practical buying spread.

5 generation: 2.0 MT 82 hp 1240 kg; 2.0 AT 82 hp 1260 kg; 2.0 MT 110 hp 1420 kg; 2.0 MT 150 hp 1420 kg; 2.0 AT 110 hp 1440 kg; 2.0 AT 145 hp 1470 kg (both the 4 Inline Turbo and the 6 V-shaped Turbo); 1.3 AT 180 hp 1480 kg. Gross mass is measured only on 1.3 AT: 1800 kg, so payload arithmetic is 1800 − 1480 = 320 kg. 2.0 MT 116 hp and 2.0 AT 116 hp kerb weights are not measured.

4 generation is 170–410 kg lighter than the 5 generation Rotor: 1.8 MT 100 hp 1070 kg; 2.0 MT 110 hp 1115 kg; 2.0 AT 110 hp 1120 kg; 2.0 MT 120 hp 1155 kg; 1.2 MT 130 hp 1155 kg; 2.0 AT 120 hp 1160 kg; 1.2 AT 130 hp 3-speed 1165 kg; 1.2 AT 130 hp 4-speed 1175 kg; 1.2 MT 160 hp Turbo 1220 kg; 1.2 MT 165 hp Turbo 1225 kg; 1.2 AT 165 hp and 1.3 AT 160 hp both 1235 kg. Gross mass is not measured in 4 generation.

3, 2 and 1 generation kerb and gross weights are not measured. Tank: 60 L in 4 generation, 70 L in 5 generation, not measured in 1–3. Ground clearance: 175 mm (3 generation), 170 mm (5 generation), not measured in 1, 2 and 4. Wheel sizes are not measured on any version.

Automatic versus Manual at the same engine is a 10–20 kg adder where both exist: 5 generation 82 hp 1260 vs 1240 kg; 5 generation 110 hp V-shaped 1440 vs 1420 kg; 4 generation 130 hp Rotor 1165/1175 vs 1155 kg; 4 generation 110 hp 1120 vs 1115 kg; 4 generation 120 hp 1160 vs 1155 kg; 4 generation 165 hp 1235 vs 1225 kg.

Which version to choose

Want the fastest measured Sedan. Buy 5 generation 1.3 AT (180 hp / 132 kW at 6500 rpm, 245 Nm at 3500 rpm, 1308 cm³, 2 Rotor, Turbo, Distributed injection (multi-point), 92, compression 8.5, Front, longitudinal, Automatic 4, RWD). It is the only Luce with both 9.1 s to 100 km/h and 210 km/h. Specific output is 137.6 hp/L. It is also the heaviest measured Luce at 1480 kg and the only one with a published 1800 kg gross. Rear brakes are Disc ventilated. Fuel use is not measured.

Want the only mpg numbers and a Manual. Buy 5 generation 2.0 MT (150 hp, 2000 cm³, 6 V-shaped, Gasoline, boost No, Manual 5, RWD, 1420 kg). 10.8 s and 185 km/h are slower than the Rotor Automatic by 1.7 s and 25 km/h, but this is the sole consumption row (13.2 / 8.5 / 10.6). Torque, rpm, injection, octane and compression are not measured on this 150 hp row — do not mix it with the 110 hp 2.0 MT (167 Nm, Distributed injection (multi-point), 92, 9.2 compression), which shares the name and the 1420 kg kerb but not the 150 hp rating.

Want Turbo without the Rotor. In 5 generation two cars share 2.0 AT at 145 hp / 107 kW at 5000 rpm, 230 Nm at 2500 rpm, 1997 cm³, Turbo, compression 8.0, 92, Automatic 4, RWD, 1470 kg, Ventilated disc front and Disc ventilated rear. One is 4 Inline; the other is 6 V-shaped. Power, torque, mass and gearbox match; cylinder layout is the only split. Versus the 116 hp 2.0 AT (4 Inline, boost No), Turbo adds 29 hp (+25%) and 57 Nm (230 − 173). Versus the 110 hp 2.0 AT (6 V-shaped, boost No), Turbo adds 35 hp and 63 Nm at 30 kg extra (1470 − 1440). 0–100, top speed and mpg on both 145 hp cars are not measured. They sit 10 kg under the 180 hp 1.3 AT.

Want the cheapest-looking 2.0 on a 5 generation badge. The four 82 hp cars are the lightest 5 generation rows: 2.0 MT 82 hp at 1240 kg (4 Inline or 6 V-shaped, Carburetor, 92, compression 8.6, 149 Nm at 2500 rpm, Manual 5, Drum rear) and 2.0 AT 82 hp at 1260 kg (same engines, Automatic 4). Specific output is 41.0 hp/L. Versus the 110 hp injected 2.0 MT, you give up 28 hp and 18 Nm and pick up Drum rear brakes instead of Disc, but you drop 180 kg (1420 − 1240). Versus the 180 hp 1.3 AT, you give up 98 hp and 96 Nm and 240 kg (1480 − 1240). Economy is not measured, so “light” is not proof of “frugal.”

Inline 116 hp versus V-shaped 110 hp in 5 generation. Both 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT pairs use 1997 cm³ Gasoline, Distributed injection (multi-point), 4 valves per cylinder, boost No, RWD. The 116 hp 4 Inline runs 95 octane, compression 9.7, 83 × 92 bore × stroke, 173 Nm at 4500 rpm, 85 kW at 6000 rpm; kerb weight and engine position are not measured. The 110 hp 6 V-shaped runs 92 octane, compression 9.2, 167 Nm at 4000 rpm, 81 kW at 5500 rpm, Front, longitudinal, 1420 kg Manual / 1440 kg Automatic. The Inline is +6 hp and +6 Nm and asks for 95 instead of 92. That is the whole measured difference; do not invent a winner on 0–100 — it is not measured on either.

Want maximum power density and minimum kg/hp. Stay in 4 generation Rotor Turbo. 1.2 MT (165 hp / 226 Nm, 1146 cm³, 2 Rotor, Turbo, Central injection (single-point or single- point), 92, compression 8.5, 6500 / 4000 rpm, Manual 5, 1225 kg) is 144.0 hp/L and 7.42 kg/hp — the best kg/hp in the file. 1.2 MT (160 hp, 1220 kg) is 139.6 hp/L and 7.62 kg/hp; the extra 5 hp costs 5 kg. 1.2 AT (165 hp, Automatic 4, 1235 kg) is 7.48 kg/hp. Naturally aspirated 1.2 MT (130 hp, 1155 kg) is 113.4 hp/L and 8.88 kg/hp: dropping Turbo saves 70 kg versus the 165 hp Manual (1225 − 1155) and 30 hp. 0–100 and mpg are not measured, so this ranking is arithmetic on mass and power only.

4 generation piston if you do not want a Rotor. 1.8 MT (100 hp, 149 Nm at 3300 rpm, 1769 cm³, 4 Inline, Carburetor, 92, 8.6, 80 × 88, Manual 4, 1070 kg) is the lightest measured Luce and 10.7 kg/hp. 2.0 MT (110 hp, Carburetor, 1115 kg) versus 2.0 MT (120 hp, Central injection (single-point or single- point), 1155 kg): +10 hp at +40 kg, torque stays 167 Nm. Matching Automatics are 3-speed: 2.0 AT 110 hp 1120 kg and 2.0 AT 120 hp 1160 kg. A 4 generation 110 hp 2.0 MT at 1115 kg is 305 kg lighter than the 5 generation 110 hp 2.0 MT at 1420 kg with similar 167 Nm — generation, not gearbox, is the mass jump.

Rotor Automatic without Turbo. 4 generation 1.3 AT (160 hp, 201 Nm at 3000 rpm, 1308 cm³, 2 Rotor, boost No, Central injection (single-point or single- point), 95, 9.4, Automatic 4, 1235 kg) is 20 hp below the 5 generation Turbo 1.3 AT (180 hp) and 245 kg lighter (1480 − 1235). Specific output 122.3 versus 137.6 hp/L. You give up the only 9.1 s / 210 km/h sheet and the 70 L tank (4 generation tank is 60 L).

Only Diesel. 3 generation 2.2 MT (66 hp, 2200 cm³, 4 Inline, Diesel, Manual 5, RWD, 175 mm clearance). No other Diesel exists. Torque, mass, tank, 0–100, top speed and mpg are not measured. Specific output 30.0 hp/L is last in the set.

FWD Coupe, not a Sedan. 1 generation 1.3 MT (126 hp Rotor, 96.9 hp/L) is the high-output early car; 1.8 MT (104 hp) is the larger Inline; 1.5 MT (57 hp) is the lowest Gasoline output in the model. 2 generation: take 1.8 MT 110 hp over 1.8 MT 83 hp (+27 hp, same 1800 cm³, same Manual 4, same FWD). Mass, performance and mpg are not measured, so the choice is power rating only.

Reliability / problems. This catalogue has no failure rates, service intervals or recall counts. What the sheet does show as buying risk is missing measurement: most 0–100, most mpg, most 1–3 generation weights, all wheel sizes, and CO2. A version with a full 0–100 plus mass plus tank (1.3 AT 180 hp, or 2.0 MT 150 hp) is the one you can compare after you leave the lot. A version whose economy is not measured cannot be chosen “for mpg.”

Short map. Fastest measured: 5 generation 1.3 AT 180 hp. Only mpg: 5 generation 2.0 MT 150 hp. Lightest measured: 4 generation 1.8 MT 100 hp. Best hp/L and kg/hp: 4 generation 1.2 MT 165 hp. Turbo piston: 5 generation 2.0 AT 145 hp (pick 4 Inline or 6 V-shaped). Light 5 generation: 2.0 MT 82 hp. Diesel: 3 generation 2.2 MT 66 hp. FWD Coupe: 1 generation 1.3 MT 126 hp or 2 generation 1.8 MT 110 hp. Same-name traps: 2.0 AT in 5 generation is five different cars (82 / 110 / 116 / 145 Inline / 145 V-shaped); 2.0 MT is four (82 / 110 / 116 / 150); 1.2 MT in 4 generation is three (130 / 160 / 165); 1.8 MT in 2 generation is two (110 / 83). Match the horsepower, not only the badge.