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ZAZ 968 M 1.2 V4 (42 Hp)
Overall Rating
ZAZ 968:
ZAZ Zaporozhets was a series of rear-wheel-drive superminis designed and built from 1958 at the ZAZ factory in Soviet Ukraine. Different models of the Zaporozhets, all of which had an air-cooled engine in the rear, were produced until 1994. Since the late 1980s, the final series, ZAZ-968M, was replaced by the cardinally different ZAZ-1102 Tavria hatchback, which featured a front-wheel drive and a more powerful water-cooled engine....(Read more on Wikipedia)
M Overview:
ZAZ 968 (M). With 74 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. It has moderate fuel consumption (~9.5 l/100km). Weighing only 800 kg, it’s quite light. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 32 s). The top speed reaches 120 km/h. A two-door car with a fixed roof, known for its sporty design and dynamic performance. Seating for 4 makes it ideal for daily use.
The ZAZ 968M was produced long before modern safety standards and Euro NCAP testing. It lacks contemporary safety features, offering only basic passive safety inherent to its structure.
1.2 V4 (42 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
Extremely modest performance, suitable only for low-speed urban driving. Acceleration is sluggish (32 seconds 0-100 km/h), making highway merging challenging and top speed limited.
Fuel Economy
Given its low power output and carburettor system, the fuel economy is not particularly impressive, especially in urban cycles (9.5 l/100 km). It's a basic, air-cooled unit.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Simple, easy-to-repair mechanics
- • Low purchase and running costs (historically)
- • Unique rear-engine, air-cooled design
- • Compact size for city driving
- • Good visibility due to large windows
Cons:
- • Very poor performance and acceleration
- • Basic safety features (none by modern standards)
- • Noisy engine, especially at higher speeds
- • Limited comfort and refinement
- • Dated design and technology
- • Prone to rust (depending on climate and maintenance)
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(A: 1973 - 1979).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | ZAZ |
| Model: | 968 |
| Generation: | M |
| Modification (Engine): | 1.2 V4 (42 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1979 |
| End of production: | 1994 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Coupe |
| Seats: | 4 |
| Doors: | 2 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 42 Hp @ 4200 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 35.1 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 74 Nm @ 2700 rpm. |
| Engine displacement: | 1197 |
| Number of cylinders: | 4 |
| Engine configuration: | V-engine |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 2 |
| Fuel injection system: | Carburettor |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Engine layout: | Rear, Longitudinal |
| Cylinder Bore: | 76 mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 66 mm |
| Compression ratio: | 7.2:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - urban: | 9.5 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban: | 6.5 l/100 km |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 32 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 32 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 120 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 19 kg/Hp, 52.5 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 10.8 kg/Nm, 92.5 Nm/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 30.4 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 800 |
| Max. weight: | 1200 |
| Max load: | 400 |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 40 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 3765 mm [35mm more] |
| Width: | 1490 mm [80mm less] |
| Height: | 1425 mm [25mm more] |
| Wheelbase: | 2160 mm [Same wheelbase.] |
| Front track: | 1228 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1212 mm |
| 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 |
| Steering type | Cone worm with recirculation balls |
| Tires size | 155/70 R13 |
| Wheel rims size | 4J x 13 |
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