FSO Polonez III 1.6 GL (87 Hp)


Overall Rating

5.9 / 10
Safety N/A / 5
Not Rated
Engine 2.5 / 5
Value 4.0 / 5
Performance 2.0 / 5
Comfort 2.5 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

FSO Polonez:

The FSO Polonez is a motor vehicle that was developed in Poland in collaboration with Fiat and produced by Fabryka Samochodów Osobowych from 1978 to 2002. It was based on the Polski Fiat 125p platform with a new hatchback designed by Zbigniew Wattson , Walter de Silva and Giorgetto Giugiaro. It was available in body styles that included two- and four-door compact-sized cars, station wagons, as well as commercial versions as pickup truck, cargo van, and ambulance. Production totaled more than one million units, excluding the pickup truck and van variants. The Polonez was marketed in other nations and was popular in its domestic market until Poland joined the European Union in 2004....(Read more on Wikipedia)

III Overview:

FSO Polonez (III). With 132 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. A compact car with a rear door that swings upward to provide access to the cargo area. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.

Safety Rating
Not rated
Euro NCAP Year N/A
Adult Occupant N/A
Stars N/A
Expert Note:
The FSO Polonez III was not tested by Euro NCAP. As a vehicle from the 1990s with a budget focus, its passive and active safety features are likely to be significantly below modern standards.

1.6 GL (87 Hp) Verdict:

Rating 3 stars

Performance Verdict

With 87 Hp, it likely offered slightly better performance than the 1.5 GL, but still expected to be quite modest.

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy data is unavailable, but likely similar to or slightly worse than the 1.5 GL due to its carbureted nature.

Best Use Case: City / Rural Driving

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Extremely affordable purchase price and low running costs (especially diesel)
  • • Spacious interior and large trunk for its class
  • • Simple, robust mechanicals that are easy to maintain
  • • Good visibility from the driver's seat

Cons:

  • • Outdated design and interior quality compared to Western rivals
  • • Generally poor performance across most engine options
  • • Lack of modern safety features and poor crash test performance (untested by NCAP)
  • • High fuel consumption on older petrol engines

Specifications:

Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(II: 1988 - 1992).

General:
Brand:FSO
Model:Polonez
Generation:III
Modification (Engine):1.6 GL (87 Hp)
Start of production:1992
End of production:2002
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Hatchback
Seats:5
Doors:3/5
Engine:
Power:87 Hp @ 5200 rpm.
Power per litre:54.4 Hp/l [worst than previous generation]
Torque:132 Nm @ 3800 rpm.
Engine displacement:1598
Number of cylinders:4
Engine configuration:Inline
Number of valves per cylinder:2
Fuel injection system:Carburettor
Engine aspiration:Naturally aspirated engine
Engine layout:Front, Longitudinal
Performance:
Fuel Type:Petrol (Gasoline)
Powertrain:
Drivetrain ArchitectureThe Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle.
Drive wheelRear wheel drive
Number of gears5
Transmission typeManual
Front brakesDisc
Rear brakesDisc
Tires size175/70 R13
Front suspensionCoil spring
Rear suspensionCoil spring

The hidden gems or the annoying flaws? Expose the truth about the FSO Polonez!