Renault 8: which version to buy — 1.1 MT vs 1.3 MT specs compared
Between the two Renault 8 versions in this catalogue, the buying choice is 1.1 MT versus 1.3 MT. Both belong to the same 1 generation (1962-01-01 to 1973-12-31), both are Sedan, both put a Gasoline engine at the Rear and drive the rear wheels (RWD). The extra 5 hp, 147 cm³, a fourth gearbox ratio, and the only measured top speed (140) sit on 1.3 MT.
Between the two Renault 8 versions in this catalogue, the buying choice is 1.1 MT versus 1.3 MT. Both belong to the same 1 generation (1962-01-01 to 1973-12-31), both are Sedan, both put a Gasoline engine at the Rear and drive the rear wheels (RWD). The extra 5 hp, 147 cm³, a fourth gearbox ratio, and the only measured top speed (140) sit on 1.3 MT. 1.1 MT is the smaller-displacement, three-speed car. There is no second generation in the data, so the comparison is version-to-version, not generation-to-generation.
Renault 8 generations — what actually changed
1 generation ran from 1962-01-01 to 1973-12-31. Body type: Sedan. Number of versions: 2 — 1.1 MT and 1.3 MT. Both versions share the same start and stop dates, so neither is a later restyle of the other in this dataset. Restyling is not listed as a separate generation.
What did not change between versions: fuel type (Gasoline), cylinder count (4), cylinder layout (Inline), valves per cylinder (2), boost (No), engine location (Rear), fuel system (Carburetor), gearbox type (Manual), drive (RWD), front suspension (Independent, spring), front brakes (Drum). Rear suspension, rear brakes, kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, tank, wheels, 0–100, city/highway/combined consumption, CO2, and eco class are not measured on either car.
What did change: displacement (1108 vs 1255), power (43 hp / 32 kW vs 48 hp / 35 kW), gears (3 vs 4), and the presence of a peak-power rpm and a top speed on 1.3 MT only.
Engine and specs — 1.1 MT vs 1.3 MT side by side
| Version | hp | Nm | Displacement (cm³) | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 MT | 43 | not measured | 1108 | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | Manual, 3 | RWD |
| 1.3 MT | 48 | not measured | 1255 | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | No | Manual, 4 | RWD |
1.1 MT engine: 43 hp (32 kW), peak-power rpm not measured, torque not measured, 1108 cm³, Gasoline, 4 cylinders, Inline, 2 valves per cylinder, boost No, engine Rear, Carburetor, Manual with 3 gears, RWD. Years: 1962-01-01 to 1973-12-31.
1.3 MT engine: 48 hp (35 kW) at 4800 rpm, torque not measured, 1255 cm³, Gasoline, 4 cylinders, Inline, 2 valves per cylinder, boost No, engine Rear, Carburetor, Manual with 4 gears, RWD. Years: 1962-01-01 to 1973-12-31.
Power arithmetic: 1.3 MT has 5 hp more than 1.1 MT (48 − 43) and 3 kW more (35 − 32). That is about 11.6% more horsepower and 9.4% more kilowatts. Displacement is 147 cm³ larger (1255 − 1108), about 13.3% more capacity.
Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): 1.1 MT is 43 ÷ 1.108 ≈ 38.8 hp/l. 1.3 MT is 48 ÷ 1.255 ≈ 38.2 hp/l. The smaller engine is slightly denser on paper; the extra displacement on 1.3 MT is not “free” extra specific output — you buy cubic centimetres more than you buy extra hp per litre.
kW per litre: 1.1 MT 32 ÷ 1.108 ≈ 28.9 kW/l; 1.3 MT 35 ÷ 1.255 ≈ 27.9 kW/l. Same pattern.
Torque (Nm) is not measured on both versions, so you cannot compare pulling force in newton-metres, and you cannot compute Nm per litre.
Boost is No on both. Neither version is a forced-induction choice.
Performance, mpg, and top speed — what is measured
0–100: not measured for 1.1 MT. not measured for 1.3 MT. You cannot pick a version on sprint figures from this catalogue.
Top speed: not measured for 1.1 MT. 140 for 1.3 MT. If a numbered maximum speed is a buying filter, only 1.3 MT has one in the data.
Fuel consumption (mpg / city / highway / mixed): city not measured, highway not measured, mixed not measured on 1.1 MT. The same three figures are not measured on 1.3 MT. CO2 not measured on both. Eco class not measured on both. There is no mpg comparison to make from measured litres; any economy argument would be invention.
Fuel type: both Gasoline, both Carburetor. Switching versions does not change fuel family or injection type in this dataset.
Gearbox as a performance tool: 1.1 MT is Manual with 3 gears. 1.3 MT is Manual with 4 gears. The extra ratio is the clearest mechanical difference besides displacement. You cannot assign 0–100 or mpg to that extra gear because those numbers are not measured.
Dimensions, weight, clearance, tank — all not measured
Kerb weight: not measured for 1.1 MT. not measured for 1.3 MT. Weight per horsepower cannot be calculated for either version.
Gross weight: not measured for 1.1 MT. not measured for 1.3 MT.
Ground clearance: not measured for 1.1 MT. not measured for 1.3 MT.
Fuel tank: not measured for 1.1 MT. not measured for 1.3 MT. Range from tank size is not available.
Wheel sizes: not measured for 1.1 MT. not measured for 1.3 MT.
Chassis items that are measured and identical: front suspension Independent, spring on both; front brakes Drum on both. Rear suspension not measured on both. Rear brakes not measured on both.
Because kerb weight is missing, you cannot say which Renault 8 is the lighter car, and you cannot say which has the better power-to-weight ratio. The 5 hp gap on 1.3 MT is a power gap only, not a proven power-to-mass gap.
Which Renault 8 version to buy and why
There is one generation and two versions. “Which generation changed what” does not apply: 1 generation is the whole production window, 1962-01-01 to 1973-12-31, Sedan, two versions in parallel on the same dates.
Buy 1.1 MT if you want the smaller Gasoline engine: 1108 cm³, 43 hp (32 kW), Manual 3 gears, RWD, engine Rear, boost No, Carburetor, 4 Inline cylinders, 2 valves per cylinder. Specific output is slightly higher (~38.8 hp/l vs ~38.2 hp/l). You accept that 0–100, top speed, mpg, tank, kerb weight, gross weight, clearance, and wheels are not measured. You also accept no fourth gear.
Buy 1.3 MT if you want the larger engine and the only extra hardware counted in the data: 1255 cm³ (+147 cm³), 48 hp (+5 hp) / 35 kW (+3 kW), peak power at 4800 rpm (rpm not measured on 1.1 MT), Manual 4 gears (one more than 1.1 MT), and top speed 140 (the only measured top speed of the pair). Layout stays Rear engine, RWD, Gasoline, Carburetor, boost No, 4 Inline, 2 valves per cylinder. You still do not get 0–100, mpg, weights, tank, or clearance.
What the extra displacement buys, in numbers only: +13.3% capacity for +11.6% horsepower. You do not buy a different body, a different drive, a different fuel, a turbo, or a later generation. You buy 5 hp, 3 kW, 147 cm³, one extra Manual ratio, a 4800 rpm power peak, and a 140 top speed figure. Prices are not in this catalogue, so “extra money” cannot be stated as a currency amount — only as those specification deltas.
Problems and reliability: this dataset has no failure rates, recalls, or durability scores. Do not treat missing mpg, missing weight, or drum front brakes as a reliability ranking. Front brakes are Drum on both versions; that is a spec, not a fault count.
Short pick: if the filter is “smallest engine, three speeds,” the version name is 1.1 MT. If the filter is “more hp, four speeds, and a numbered top speed,” the version name is 1.3 MT. Those are the only two Renault 8 versions in the data.