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Opel Ascona B 1.2 S (60 Hp)
Overall Rating
Opel Ascona:
The Opel Ascona is a large family car that was produced by the German automaker Opel from 1970 to 1988. It was produced in three separate generations, beginning with rear-wheel-drive and ending up as a front-wheel drive J-car derivative. The Ascona was developed to fill the gap in the Opel range as the Opel Rekord was gradually growing in size.
The Ascona took its name from the lakeside resort of that name in Ticino, Switzerland, and already in the 1950s a special edition of the Opel Rekord P1 was sold as an Opel Ascona in Switzerland, where the name was again used in 1968 for a locally adapted version of the Opel Kadett B into which the manufacturers had persuaded a 1. 7-litre engine borrowed from the larger Rekord model of the time. The Opel Ascona A launched in 1970 and sold across Europe was, however, the first mainstream Opel model to carry the name — departing from Opel's long standing convention of using German naval rank designations for its models....(Read more on Wikipedia)
B Overview:
Opel Ascona (B). With 88 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. Weighing only 895 kg, it’s quite light. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 19 s). The top speed reaches 142 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
The Opel Ascona B was produced long before Euro NCAP testing began (1997). Safety features were rudimentary by modern standards, typical of vehicles from the late 1970s, primarily relying on basic seatbelts and a rigid body structure.
1.2 S (60 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
The smallest and slowest petrol engine, offering very basic performance. Best suited for sedate driving, as acceleration was notably poor.
Fuel Economy
Likely the most economical petrol option, but its limited power meant it struggled on anything but flat terrain, potentially impacting real-world efficiency.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Robust and reliable mechanicals
- • Simple, easy-to-maintain design
- • Good range of engine options for its time
- • Comfortable ride for its class
- • Rear-wheel drive handling appeal
Cons:
- • Outdated safety features by modern standards
- • Fuel economy generally poor compared to modern cars
- • Basic interior amenities
- • Rust susceptibility (common for cars of this era)
- • Entry-level engines are very underpowered
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(A: 1972 - 1975).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Opel |
| Model: | Ascona |
| Generation: | B |
| Modification (Engine): | 1.2 S (60 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1975 |
| End of production: | 1979 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 2-4 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 60 Hp @ 5400 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 50.2 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 88 Nm @ 2600-3400 rpm. |
| Engine Model/Code: | 12S [Same engine] More details about the engine 12S |
| Engine displacement: | 1196 |
| Number of cylinders: | 4 |
| Engine configuration: | Inline |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 2 |
| Fuel injection system: | Carburettor |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | OHV |
| Engine oil capacity: | 2.75 l |
| Coolant: | 5.1 l |
| Cylinder Bore: | 79 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 61 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 9:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 19 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 19 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 142 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 14.9 kg/Hp, 67 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 10.2 kg/Nm, 98.3 Nm/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 18.1 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 895 |
| Max. weight: | 1320 |
| Max load: | 425 |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 380 l |
| Permitted trailer load with brakes (12%): | 1000 kg |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 50 l |
| Permitted trailer load without brakes: | 485 kg |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4321 mm mm [197mm more] |
| Width: | 1670 mm mm [44mm more] |
| Height: | 1380 mm mm [5mm less] |
| Wheelbase: | 2518 mm mm [88mm more] |
| Front track: | 1374 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1374 mm |
| Ride height (ground clearance): | 130 mm |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 10.1 m [above average] |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Rear wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 4 |
| Transmission type | Manual |
| Front brakes | Disc [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Drum [bad for performance and cooling.] |
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