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Triumph Dolomite 1500 HL (72 Hp)
Overall Rating
Triumph Dolomite:
The Triumph Dolomite is a small saloon car which was produced by the Triumph Motor Company division of the British Leyland in Canley, Coventry, between October 1972 and August 1980.
The Dolomite was the final addition to Triumph's small-car range , which had started in 1965 with the Triumph 1300. Designed to be a replacement for the rear-wheel drive Triumph Herald, the 1300 was originally fitted with a 1,296 cc engine and front-wheel drive. The later model, introduced in September 1970 as the Triumph 1500, featured a remodelled front and rear, styled by Michelotti, and a larger 1,493 cc engine....(Read more on Wikipedia)
Dolomite Overview:
Triumph Dolomite (Dolomite). With 111 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. It has moderate fuel consumption (~10.6 l/100km). Weighing only 956 kg, it’s quite light. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
The Triumph Dolomite was produced before the establishment of modern crash testing standards like Euro NCAP. Safety features are rudimentary by contemporary measures, typical for vehicles of its era.
1500 HL (72 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
Offers adequate performance for daily driving and light touring, with a respectable 72 Hp from its 1.5L engine.
Fuel Economy
Provides reasonable fuel economy for a 1970s petrol engine, suitable for mixed driving conditions.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Sporting handling (especially Sprint)
- • Distinctive classic British styling
- • Range of engines to suit different needs
- • Relatively affordable classic car entry
- • Good community support for enthusiasts
Cons:
- • Prone to rust
- • Reliability issues common for British Leyland era
- • Dated safety features
- • Finding parts can be challenging for some components
- • Fuel economy is not competitive by modern standards
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(Dolomite: 1973 - 1981).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Triumph |
| Model: | Dolomite |
| Generation: | Dolomite |
| Modification (Engine): | 1500 HL (72 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1977 |
| End of production: | 1981 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 72 Hp @ 5500 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 48.2 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 111 Nm @ 3000 rpm. |
| Engine displacement: | 1493 |
| 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: | 4.5 l |
| Coolant: | 4.8 l |
| Engine layout: | Front, Longitudinal |
| Cylinder Bore: | 73.7 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 87.5 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 9:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - urban: | 10.6 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban: | 6.1 l/100 km |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 13.3 kg/Hp, 75.3 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 8.6 kg/Nm, 116.1 Nm/tonne |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 956 |
| Max. roof load: | 50 kg |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 57 l |
| Permitted trailer load without brakes: | 762 kg |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4122 mm mm [Same length.] |
| Width: | 1588 mm mm [Same width.] |
| Height: | 1372 mm mm [Same height.] |
| Wheelbase: | 1454 mm mm [1000mm less] |
| Front track: | 1352 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1267 mm |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 9.3 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, 222 mm [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Drum, 204 mm [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Front suspension | Independent coil spring |
| Rear suspension | Independent multi-link suspension |
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