VAZ 21099

VAZ 21099: which version to buy

If the choice is between the two catalogue versions of the VAZ 21099, buy 1.5 MT unless you specifically need the smaller 1289 cm³ engine. 1.5 MT has 6 more horsepower (70 vs 64), 11 more newton-metres (106 vs 95), 10 kg less kerb weight (960 vs 970), and 40 kg less gross weight (1340 vs 1380). Both are the same generation, the same Sedan body, the same 5-speed Manual, and the same FWD layout.

If the choice is between the two catalogue versions of the VAZ 21099, buy 1.5 MT unless you specifically need the smaller 1289 cm³ engine. 1.5 MT has 6 more horsepower (70 vs 64), 11 more newton-metres (106 vs 95), 10 kg less kerb weight (960 vs 970), and 40 kg less gross weight (1340 vs 1380). Both are the same generation, the same Sedan body, the same 5-speed Manual, and the same FWD layout. There is no second generation to wait for: production of this generation runs from 1990-01-01 to 2011-12-31, with two versions only.

Specs that actually differ: 1.5 MT vs 1.3 MT

Shared and therefore not a reason to switch: Gasoline, 4 Inline cylinders, 2 valves per cylinder, No boost, Front, transverse, Carburetor, compression 9.9, fuel 92, 5-speed Manual, FWD, 43-litre tank, Independent, spring front, Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem rear, Disc front brakes, Drum rear. Years for both versions: 1990-01-01 to 2011-12-31.

Which engine: power per litre and weight per horsepower

1.5 MT is the larger engine: 1499 cm³, 70 hp (51 kW) at 5600 rpm, 106 Nm at 3400 rpm, bore and stroke 82 x 71. 1.3 MT is 1289 cm³, 64 hp (47 kW) at 5600 rpm, 95 Nm at 3400 rpm, bore and stroke 76 x 71. Stroke is the same 71; the 1.5 MT gains 6 mm of bore (82 vs 76) and 210 cm³.

Power per litre (hp divided by litres): 1.3 MT 64 / 1.289 ≈ 49.7 hp/l; 1.5 MT 70 / 1.499 ≈ 46.7 hp/l. The smaller engine is more densely rated; the larger one still has the higher absolute output.

Kerb weight per horsepower: 1.5 MT 960 / 70 ≈ 13.7 kg/hp; 1.3 MT 970 / 64 ≈ 15.2 kg/hp. 1.5 MT is both lighter and stronger, so the mass it must move per horsepower is about 1.5 kg/hp lower.

Torque per litre: 1.5 MT 106 / 1.499 ≈ 70.7 Nm/l; 1.3 MT 95 / 1.289 ≈ 73.7 Nm/l. Again the 1.3 MT is denser on paper; 1.5 MT still has 11 Nm more at the same 3400 rpm.

What the extra displacement buys, in the numbers we have: +210 cm³, +6 hp, +11 Nm, −10 kg kerb, −40 kg gross. There is no price in this dataset, so “extra money” cannot be stated; the extra hardware in the catalogue is that 210 cm³ and the 82 mm bore.

Performance: 0–100, top speed, and the odd 0.5 s

Top speed is identical: 155 for both. 0–100 is not in the 1.5 MT’s favour: 1.3 MT is listed at 13.5 s, 1.5 MT at 14 s — 0.5 s quicker for the weaker, heavier car. If the only criterion is the 0–100 figure in this table, 1.3 MT wins. If the criterion is power, torque, and kg per hp, 1.5 MT wins. Those two rankings contradict each other; both are what the data says.

Peak power and peak torque rpm are the same on both (5600 and 3400). Gearbox type and gear count are the same (Manual, 5). Drive is the same (FWD). The 0–100 gap is therefore not explained by a different transmission or driveline in this catalogue.

MPG and range: only 1.5 MT is measured

Fuel consumption is measured only for 1.5 MT: 9.1 city, 5.7 highway, 7.7 mixed. For 1.3 MT city, highway, and mixed are not measured. CO2 is not measured on either. Eco class is not measured on either. Do not treat the 1.5 MT figures as if they applied to 1.3 MT.

On the 43-litre tank and 1.5 MT mixed 7.7: 43 / 7.7 × 100 ≈ 558 km mixed. City 9.1: ≈ 473 km. Highway 5.7: ≈ 754 km. 1.3 MT range cannot be calculated: consumption is not measured.

If you need a stated city / highway / mixed number in the catalogue, only 1.5 MT has it. If you need the 1.3-litre engine, you accept not measured consumption.

Dimensions and weight: clearance and wheels are not measured

Payload from the two masses: 1.5 MT 1340 − 960 = 380 kg; 1.3 MT 1380 − 970 = 410 kg. 1.3 MT has 30 kg more payload on paper (410 vs 380) and 10 kg more kerb. Ground clearance is not measured for either; wheel sizes are not measured for either. Body is Sedan for the one generation. Tank is 43 on both, so tank size is not a reason to pick one version.

Generations: nothing changed between “eras” because there is only one

There is 1 generation. Years: 1990-01-01 to 2011-12-31. Body: Sedan. Versions in that generation: 2 — 1.5 MT and 1.3 MT. Both versions use the same start and stop dates. There is no restyle listed as a separate generation, and no later generation with a different gearbox, drive, or body. “Which generation” is not a choice on this model: every 21099 in this catalogue is generation 1.

What did not change between the two versions (so it cannot decide the purchase): Carburetor, No boost, Front, transverse, 4 Inline, 2 valves per cylinder, compression 9.9, fuel 92, Manual 5, FWD, 43-litre tank, Independent, spring front, Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem rear, Disc / Drum brakes, top speed 155.

Which version to choose

Choose 1.5 MT if you want the higher outputs (70 hp, 106 Nm), the lower kerb and gross mass (960 / 1340), the better kg/hp (≈13.7 vs ≈15.2), and the only measured consumption (9.1 / 5.7 / 7.7). That is the version whose numbers are complete enough to plan mixed range (≈558 km on 43 litres at 7.7).

Choose 1.3 MT if you want the 1289 cm³ engine, the higher listed 0–100 (13.5 vs 14), the higher payload (410 vs 380 kg), and the higher specific output (≈49.7 hp/l vs ≈46.7). You then accept not measured city, highway, and mixed consumption.

Do not choose on generation, body, gearbox, or drive: all are one Sedan generation, Manual, 5, FWD, 1990-01-01 to 2011-12-31.

Do not choose on clearance, wheels, CO2, or eco class: all not measured on both.

Do not choose on price: prices are not in this dataset.

Short arithmetic recap: 1.5 MT minus 1.3 MT = +6 hp, +11 Nm, +210 cm³, −10 kg kerb, −40 kg gross, +0.5 s 0–100 (slower), 0 km/h top-speed difference, consumption known vs not measured. For a catalogue pick with complete economy figures and more torque, 1.5 MT. For the quicker listed sprint and the smaller engine, 1.3 MT.