Vauxhall Firenza

Vauxhall Firenza: which version to buy

The Vauxhall Firenza was sold in 1 generation (1970–1975) as a Coupe with 5 gasoline versions, all Manual 4-speed and RWD. There is no later generation to “wait for,” so the choice is which engine: 1.3 MT at 54 hp, 1.3 MT at 64 hp, 1.8 MT at 78 hp, 2.3 MT at 111 hp, or 2.3 MT at 132 hp.

The Vauxhall Firenza was sold in 1 generation (1970–1975) as a Coupe with 5 gasoline versions, all Manual 4-speed and RWD. There is no later generation to “wait for,” so the choice is which engine: 1.3 MT at 54 hp, 1.3 MT at 64 hp, 1.8 MT at 78 hp, 2.3 MT at 111 hp, or 2.3 MT at 132 hp. Kerb weight, 0–100, and fuel use are not measured on every version, so ranking is by power, displacement, and the few figures that exist.

Generations compared (what actually changed)

1 generation (1970–1975), Coupe, 5 versions. Production start and stop are the same for every modification: 1970-01-01 to 1975-12-31. Chassis pattern does not change between versions: Independent, spring front and rear, front Disc, rear Drum, Front, longitudinal engine, Carburetor, No boost, 4 Inline cylinders, 2 valves per cylinder, 36 L tank. Restyling is not listed as a separate generation. Buying a later calendar year does not, on this data, buy a different drivetrain layout.

Engines and specs: the five versions side by side

Two names repeat: both 1.3 MT rows are 1256 cc; both 2.3 MT rows are 2300 cc. Distinguish them by power (54 vs 64, 111 vs 132). Compression 8.5 and bore/stroke 81 × 61 are measured only on the two 1.3 MT versions; on 1.8 MT and both 2.3 MT those figures are not measured.

Specific output (hp per litre, from the table):

• 1.3 MT 54 hp: 54 ÷ 1.256 ≈ 43.0 hp/L
• 1.3 MT 64 hp: 64 ÷ 1.256 ≈ 51.0 hp/L
• 1.8 MT 78 hp: 78 ÷ 1.800 ≈ 43.3 hp/L
• 2.3 MT 111 hp: 111 ÷ 2.300 ≈ 48.3 hp/L
• 2.3 MT 132 hp: 132 ÷ 2.300 ≈ 57.4 hp/L

The 1.8 MT is almost the same specific output as the weaker 1.3 MT (43.3 vs 43.0 hp/L). The stronger 1.3 MT is the most “worked” small engine. The 2.3 MT 132 hp is the highest specific output in the catalogue.

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

0–100 km/h: not measured on all five versions. You cannot rank sprint from this file.

Top speed: measured only on 1.3 MT 64 hp — 132 km/h. On 1.3 MT 54 hp, 1.8 MT 78 hp, 2.3 MT 111 hp, and 2.3 MT 132 hp, top speed is not measured. Do not assume the 132 hp car is 132 km/h; that number is the 64 hp car’s maximum, not the 132 hp engine.

Fuel consumption (city / highway / mixed) and CO2: not measured on every version. MPG cannot be compared. Tank is 36 L on all five, so range differences would come only from consumption, which is not measured. Eco class is not measured.

Torque: only 1.3 MT 64 hp has 96 Nm at 5400. Peak power on that version is also at 5400. The 54 hp 1.3 MT has the same 1256 cc, 8.5 compression, and 81 × 61 bore/stroke, so the 10 hp gap (64 − 54) is not a larger engine — it is a different state of tune of the same displacement.

Dimensions and weight

Kerb weight: not measured (all versions). Gross weight: not measured. Ground clearance: not measured. Wheels: not measured. Fuel tank: 36 L on every version.

Weight per horsepower cannot be calculated. A 132 hp 2.3 MT is 78 hp more than the 54 hp 1.3 MT (132 − 54), about 2.44× the power (132 ÷ 54), but without kerb mass you cannot say it is lighter or heavier on the road.

Which version to choose

There is 1 generation, so “which generation” is not a fork. All five share RWD, Manual 4, Gasoline, Carburetor, No boost, Coupe, 36 L tank, the same suspension and brake labels, and the same years. The extra you “buy” is displacement and horsepower.

If you want the smallest engine and the lowest listed power: 1.3 MT (54 hp). 1256 cc, 54 hp / 40 kW, torque not measured, 0–100 not measured, top speed not measured. Same 8.5 compression and 81 × 61 as the other 1.3 MT. Versus the 64 hp twin you give up 10 hp (≈18.5%: 10 ÷ 54) and 7 kW (47 − 40). Versus the range-topping 2.3 MT 132 hp you give up 78 hp and 1044 cc (2300 − 1256). Choose this only if you specifically want the mild 1256 tune; the data does not show a fuel or weight benefit.

If you want the same 1.3 displacement but the version with measured speed and torque: 1.3 MT (64 hp). This is the only Firenza here with 96 Nm, power rpm 5400, and top speed 132 km/h. Specific output ≈51.0 hp/L beats the 1.8 MT (≈43.3 hp/L) and the 2.3 MT 111 hp (≈48.3 hp/L). Versus 1.8 MT you have 14 hp less (78 − 64) and 544 cc less (1800 − 1256), but you have the only complete small-engine performance row. If the question is “which 1.3,” take 64 hp over 54 hp unless you need the weaker tune for a documented reason this file does not give.

If you want a middle displacement without jumping to 2.3: 1.8 MT (78 hp). 1800 cc, 78 hp / 57 kW. Versus 1.3 MT 64 hp: +14 hp, +10 kW (57 − 47), +544 cc. Versus 2.3 MT 111 hp: −33 hp, −25 kW (82 − 57), −500 cc (2300 − 1800). Specific output (≈43.3 hp/L) matches the 54 hp 1.3 MT, not the stronger 1.3. Torque, 0–100, and top speed are not measured. This version is the arithmetic midpoint of the line: more litres than either 1.3 MT, less power than either 2.3 MT.

If you want the larger engine without the peak tune: 2.3 MT (111 hp). 2300 cc, 111 hp / 82 kW. Versus 1.8 MT: +33 hp (≈42%: 33 ÷ 78), +500 cc. Versus the other 2.3 MT: −21 hp (132 − 111), ≈18.9% less (21 ÷ 111), same 2300 cc. Specific output ≈48.3 hp/L sits between 1.8 MT and the 132 hp 2.3 MT. Torque, 0–100, top speed, consumption, and weight remain not measured. Choose this when you want 2.3 litres and 111 hp, not 132.

If you want the most power in the catalogue: 2.3 MT (132 hp). 2300 cc, 132 hp / 97 kW. Highest specific output (≈57.4 hp/L). Versus 2.3 MT 111 hp: +21 hp, +15 kW (97 − 82), 0 cc difference — same displacement, stronger tune. Versus 1.8 MT: +54 hp (132 − 78), +40 kW (97 − 57), +500 cc. Versus 1.3 MT 64 hp: +68 hp, +50 kW (97 − 47), +1044 cc. Versus 1.3 MT 54 hp: +78 hp, +57 kW. Same gearbox, drive, tank, and chassis labels as the 54 hp car. 0–100, top speed, Nm, and weight are still not measured, so you cannot prove it is quicker than 132 km/h (that figure belongs to 1.3 MT 64 hp).

Practical ranking from these numbers only

1. Most complete measured row: 1.3 MT 64 hp (only Nm and top speed). 2. Most horsepower and highest hp/L: 2.3 MT 132 hp. 3. Same 2.3 litres, less power: 2.3 MT 111 hp. 4. Displacement step without 2.3: 1.8 MT 78 hp. 5. Least power, same 1.3 hardware family: 1.3 MT 54 hp.

Nothing in the data supports choosing by generation, body, gearbox, or drive: they do not differ. Nothing supports choosing by mpg, reliability, or kerb weight: those are not measured. Prices are not in this file. The buy decision is 54 / 64 / 78 / 111 / 132 hp under the exact names 1.3 MT, 1.3 MT, 1.8 MT, 2.3 MT, and 2.3 MT.