MG Maestro

MG Maestro: which version to buy and why

If you are choosing an MG Maestro, the catalogue has one generation (1983–1990), one body (Hatchback 5-door), and three versions: 1.6 MT, 2.0 MT at 117 hp, and 2.0 MT at 152 hp. Every version is Gasoline, Inline 4, 2 valves per cylinder, Manual 5, FWD, with 145 mm ground clearance. The buying decision is not “which generation” — there is only one.

If you are choosing an MG Maestro, the catalogue has one generation (1983–1990), one body (Hatchback 5-door), and three versions: 1.6 MT, 2.0 MT at 117 hp, and 2.0 MT at 152 hp. Every version is Gasoline, Inline 4, 2 valves per cylinder, Manual 5, FWD, with 145 mm ground clearance. The buying decision is not “which generation” — there is only one. It is how much engine you want for the same hatchback layout.

Specs that actually separate the three versions

Shared hardware does not change: Independent, spring front; Semi-independent, spring rear; Ventilated disc front; Drum rear. Fuel tank, wheel sizes, city/highway/combined consumption, CO2, eco class, and gross weight are not measured on any version.

Two rows share the name 2.0 MT. Treat them as different cars: 117 hp naturally aspirated versus 152 hp Turbo.

What the extra displacement and turbo buy (arithmetic on the data)

1.6 MT → 2.0 MT (117 hp). Displacement rises by 396 cc (24.8%). Peak power rises by 13 hp / 10 kW (12.5% / 13.2%). You also get a measured torque figure (182 Nm at 2800 rpm) that the 1.6 does not have. Specific output falls: 104 hp from 1.598 L is 65.1 hp/L; 117 hp from 1.994 L is 58.7 hp/L. The 1.6 MT is the denser naturally aspirated engine; the 2.0 MT (117 hp) is the larger, milder one. Feeding changes from Carburetor to Distributed injection (multi-point). Compression, bore × stroke, 0–100, top speed, and kerb weight are not measured on 1.6 MT, so you cannot score that version on those axes.

2.0 MT (117 hp) → 2.0 MT (152 hp). Same 1994 cc, same 84.5 × 89 mm bore × stroke, same multi-point injection. Boost changes from No to Turbo. Power +35 hp / +26 kW (29.9% / 30.2%). Torque +47 Nm (25.8%), peak torque rpm 2800 → 3500. Power rpm 5600 → 5100. Compression 9.1 → 8.5. Specific output 58.7 hp/L → 76.2 hp/L. Kerb weight 984 kg → 1087 kg (+103 kg, +10.5%). Power-to-weight 8.41 kg/hp → 7.15 kg/hp (the Turbo is lighter per horsepower even though it is heavier in absolute mass). 0–100 8.5 s → 6.8 s (−1.7 s). Top speed 185 km/h → 208 km/h (+23 km/h).

1.6 MT → 2.0 MT (152 hp). +48 hp / +36 kW (46.2% / 47.4%). Displacement +396 cc. Boost No → Turbo. Carburetor → Distributed injection (multi-point). Specific output 65.1 hp/L → 76.2 hp/L. You cannot compute a weight or 0–100 delta because 1.6 MT leaves those not measured.

Performance and economy: measured vs not measured

0–100 km/h: 1.6 MT not measured. 2.0 MT (117 hp) 8.5 s. 2.0 MT (152 hp) 6.8 s. Between the two 2.0 MT rows, Turbo is 20% quicker on this figure.

Top speed: 1.6 MT not measured. 2.0 MT (117 hp) 185 km/h. 2.0 MT (152 hp) 208 km/h (12.4% higher).

Fuel consumption (city / highway / combined), tank, CO2, eco class: not measured on all three. You cannot pick an MG Maestro on mpg from this catalogue. Any “economy” argument here is only displacement and boost: 1598 cc Carburetor, 1994 cc naturally aspirated, 1994 cc Turbo — consumption itself is not measured.

Dimensions and weight: what you can and cannot compare

Ground clearance is 145 mm on 1.6 MT, 2.0 MT (117 hp), and 2.0 MT (152 hp). Tank and wheels are not measured on any version.

Kerb weight: 1.6 MT not measured; 2.0 MT (117 hp) 984 kg; 2.0 MT (152 hp) 1087 kg. Gross weight not measured on all three. The only mass comparison that is legal from the data is the 103 kg gap between the two 2.0 MT versions. If you care about absolute lightness among measured rows, the 117 hp 2.0 MT is the lightest recorded Maestro. If you care about mass per horsepower, the 152 hp Turbo is the stronger ratio (7.15 vs 8.41 kg/hp).

Generations: nothing later to “step up” into

There is 1 generation, 1983-01-01 to 1990-12-31, Hatchback 5-door, 3 versions. Restyling is not listed as a separate generation. You are not choosing between early and late bodies in this dataset; you are choosing engine within one generation. All three versions share the same start and stop dates.

Which version to choose

Choose 1.6 MT if you want the smallest Gasoline engine in the catalogue (1598 cc, 104 hp / 76 kW), Carburetor, No boost, and the same Manual 5 / FWD / 145 mm clearance hatchback as the others. You accept that torque, 0–100, top speed, kerb weight, tank, wheels, and consumption are not measured. On specific output among naturally aspirated versions, 1.6 MT (65.1 hp/L) beats 2.0 MT 117 hp (58.7 hp/L).

Choose 2.0 MT (117 hp) if you want the lightest measured Maestro (984 kg), No turbo, Distributed injection (multi-point), 182 Nm at 2800 rpm, compression 9.1, 8.5 s to 100 km/h, 185 km/h top speed. Versus 1.6 MT you pay 396 cc and 13 hp for injection and a full performance sheet. Versus the other 2.0 MT you give up 35 hp, 47 Nm, 1.7 s, and 23 km/h, and you keep 103 kg less kerb weight and a higher compression ratio (9.1 vs 8.5).

Choose 2.0 MT (152 hp) if the numbers you care about are peak output and acceleration. It is the only Turbo, 152 hp / 112 kW / 229 Nm, 76.2 hp/L, 6.8 s, 208 km/h, 1087 kg. Same 1994 cc and 84.5 × 89 mm as the 117 hp 2.0 MT, so the extra performance is boost and calibration, not a larger block in the data. You take +103 kg kerb weight and lower compression (8.5). Consumption is still not measured, so Turbo is not scored here as thirstier or thriftier — only as more powerful and quicker on the figures that exist.

Do not choose by drive, gearbox, body, or generation. All three are Manual 5, FWD, Hatchback 5-door, one generation, 145 mm clearance, same brake and spring types. If those were your filters, every version would pass.

Practical shortlist. Daily hatch with the least displacement: 1.6 MT. Measured weight and a complete naturally aspirated spec sheet: 2.0 MT (117 hp). Fastest and strongest on the measured 0–100 and top-speed columns: 2.0 MT (152 hp). Keep the names exactly as 1.6 MT and 2.0 MT; split the two 2.0 MT rows by 117 hp versus 152 hp so the link to each modification stays unique.