Opel GT: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Opel GT choice comes down to three versions across two generations: the first-generation Coupe, produced from 1968 to 1973, offers the 1.1 MT and 1.9 MT, while the second-generation Roadster, produced from 2006 to 2009, offers the 2.0 MT.
The Opel GT choice comes down to three versions across two generations: the first-generation Coupe, produced from 1968 to 1973, offers the 1.1 MT and 1.9 MT, while the second-generation Roadster, produced from 2006 to 2009, offers the 2.0 MT. The 1.1 MT is the least powerful option at 60 hp, the 1.9 MT raises output to 89 hp and substantially improves performance, and the turbocharged 2.0 MT delivers 264 hp with the quickest acceleration and highest top speed. Buyers wanting the classic Coupe with stronger performance should focus on the 1.9 MT; those prioritizing maximum performance should choose the 2.0 MT. No price or sale data is available, so value can be compared only through the supplied specifications.
Opel GT generations: Coupe or Roadster?
The first-generation Opel GT ran from 1968 to 1973 as a Coupe and included two versions, the 1.1 MT and 1.9 MT. Both are Gasoline, naturally aspirated, RWD models with a 4-speed Manual gearbox. Their engines use 4 Inline cylinders, 2 valves per cylinder and a Carburetor. The important buying distinction is engine output: the 1.9 MT has 29 hp and 63 Nm more than the 1.1 MT, reaches 100 km/h 6.7 seconds sooner and has a top speed 30 km/h higher.
The second-generation Opel GT ran from 2006 to 2009 as a Roadster and included one version, the 2.0 MT. It retains RWD and a Manual gearbox but moves to 5 speeds, Turbo induction, 4 valves per cylinder and Distributed injection (multi-point). Its 264 hp output exceeds the first-generation 1.9 MT by 175 hp and the 1.1 MT by 204 hp. The change of generation also brought a different body type: the earlier car is a Coupe, whereas the later car is a Roadster.
Opel GT engine specs and version comparison
| Generation and body | Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968–1973 Coupe | 1.1 MT | 60 hp (44 kW) at 5200 rpm | 86 Nm at 3800 rpm | 1078 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1968–1973 Coupe | 1.9 MT | 89 hp (66 kW) at 5100 rpm | 149 Nm at 2500–3100 rpm | 1897 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| 2006–2009 Roadster | 2.0 MT | 264 hp (194 kW) at 5300 rpm | 353 Nm at 2000 rpm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
Calculated from the supplied displacement and output figures, the 1.1 MT develops approximately 55.7 hp per litre, while the 1.9 MT develops approximately 46.9 hp per litre. Although the 1.1 MT has the higher specific output of those two engines, the 1.9 MT supplies 48.3% more horsepower and 73.3% more torque. That makes the 1.9 MT the stronger first-generation choice when outright performance matters.
The 2.0 MT develops approximately 132.1 hp per litre. Its displacement is only 101 cc greater than that of the 1.9 MT, but its output is almost three times as high: 264 hp versus 89 hp. Torque rises from 149 Nm in the 1.9 MT to 353 Nm in the 2.0 MT, an increase of 204 Nm. Turbo induction is therefore the clearest dividing line between the later Roadster and both naturally aspirated Coupe versions.
All three engines have 4 Inline cylinders. The first-generation 1.1 MT and 1.9 MT have 2 valves per cylinder and use a Carburetor. The second-generation 2.0 MT has 4 valves per cylinder and Distributed injection (multi-point). Engine position is not measured for either first-generation version; the 2.0 MT has a Front, longitudinal engine position.
Opel GT performance and fuel economy
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 MT | 17.7 sec | 157 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.9 MT | 11 sec | 187 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2.0 MT | 5.7 sec | 230 km/h | 13 L/100 km | 6.9 L/100 km | 9.2 L/100 km |
Within the first generation, the 1.9 MT is the more convincing performance purchase. Its 11-second acceleration time is 6.7 seconds quicker than the 17.7 seconds recorded for the 1.1 MT. Its 187 km/h maximum speed is also 30 km/h above the 1.1 MT figure of 157 km/h.
The 2.0 MT is the clear choice for acceleration. It reaches 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, which is 5.3 seconds sooner than the 1.9 MT and 12 seconds sooner than the 1.1 MT. Its 230 km/h top speed is 43 km/h higher than that of the 1.9 MT and 73 km/h higher than that of the 1.1 MT.
Fuel-consumption data is not measured for the 1.1 MT or 1.9 MT, so an economy comparison between the two Coupe engines cannot be supported. The 2.0 MT is rated at 13 L/100 km in the city, 6.9 L/100 km on the highway and 9.2 L/100 km combined. These figures cannot establish whether it uses more or less fuel than either first-generation version because matching measurements are absent.
Opel GT dimensions, curb weight and capacity
| Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Weight per horsepower | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 MT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | 55 L | not measured |
| 1.9 MT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | 55 L | not measured |
| 2.0 MT | 1395 kg | 1542 kg | approximately 5.28 kg/hp | not measured | 52 L | not measured |
The 2.0 MT is the only version with supplied weight figures: kerb weight is 1395 kg and gross weight is 1542 kg, a difference of 147 kg. Using the stated kerb weight and power, it carries approximately 5.28 kg for every horsepower. Weight per horsepower cannot be calculated for the 1.1 MT or 1.9 MT because their kerb weights are not measured. Weight distribution, engine weight, length, width, wheelbase and other exterior dimensions are also not measured for any version.
Both first-generation versions have a 55 L fuel tank, which is 3 L larger than the 52 L tank in the second-generation 2.0 MT. Ground clearance and wheel sizes are not measured for any of the three versions.
Suspension and brake differences
The 1.1 MT and 1.9 MT share an Independent, spring front suspension and a Dependent, spring rear suspension. Both use Disc front brakes and Drum rear brakes. As these specifications are identical, the data does not provide a suspension or braking reason to select one first-generation engine over the other.
The 2.0 MT has Independent, spring suspension at both the front and rear. It also uses Disc brakes at both ends. Buyers comparing generations therefore get an independently sprung rear and rear Disc brakes with the later Roadster, in addition to its higher engine output and 5-speed Manual gearbox.
Which Opel GT version should you choose?
Choose the 1.1 MT if the priority is the lowest-output first-generation Coupe configuration rather than performance. It produces 60 hp and 86 Nm, takes 17.7 seconds to reach 100 km/h and has a top speed of 157 km/h. It shares its 4-speed Manual gearbox, RWD layout, 55 L tank, suspension arrangement and brake types with the more powerful 1.9 MT.
Choose the 1.9 MT for the strongest first-generation Opel GT in this catalogue. Compared with the 1.1 MT, it adds 29 hp and 63 Nm, cuts 6.7 seconds from the 0–100 km/h time and raises maximum speed by 30 km/h. Because the two versions otherwise share many listed mechanical specifications, the 1.9 MT is the straightforward Coupe choice for a buyer who values stronger acceleration and torque.
Choose the 2.0 MT when maximum performance is decisive. Its 264 hp and 353 Nm are paired with a 5-speed Manual gearbox and RWD, producing a 5.7-second 0–100 km/h time and a 230 km/h maximum speed. It is also the only version with Turbo induction, 4 valves per cylinder, Distributed injection (multi-point), independent rear suspension and rear Disc brakes. However, it is a Roadster rather than a Coupe, and its 2006–2009 production period makes it a fundamentally different generation from the 1968–1973 cars.
There is no supplied Opel GT price, reliability, parts-availability or sale information, so none of these versions can be recommended on purchase cost, maintenance burden or market availability. Based strictly on the measured specifications, the 1.9 MT is the preferred classic Coupe performance choice, while the 2.0 MT is the preferred overall performance choice.