FSO Polonez III 1.6 i GLi (81 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 125 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. Weighing only 1115 kg, it’s quite light. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 15 s). The top speed reaches 156 km/h. 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 i GLi (81 Hp) Verdict:

Rating 3 stars

Performance Verdict

A modest 81 Hp results in a 15-second 0-100 km/h, making it adequate for city driving but strained on highways.

Fuel Economy

Improved fuel injection helps achieve a more respectable 8.1 l/100 km compared to carbureted versions.

Best Use Case: City / Suburban Commuting

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  • • Outdated design and interior quality compared to Western rivals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 i GLi (81 Hp)
Start of production:1992
End of production:2002
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Hatchback
Seats:5
Doors:3/5
Engine:
Power:81 Hp @ 5200 rpm.
Power per litre:50.7 Hp/l [worst than previous generation]
Torque:125 Nm @ 3200 rpm.
Engine displacement:1598
Number of cylinders:4
Engine configuration:Inline
Number of valves per cylinder:2
Fuel injection system:Single-point injection
Engine aspiration:Naturally aspirated engine
Engine layout:Front, Longitudinal
Cylinder Bore:80 mm mm
Piston Stroke:79.5 mm mm
Compression ratio:9.5:1
Performance:
Fuel Type:Petrol (Gasoline)
Fuel consumption (economy) - combined:8.1 l/100 km
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h:15 sec
Acceleration 0 - 62 mph:15 sec
Maximum speed:156 km/h
Weight-to-power ratio:13.8 kg/Hp, 72.6 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:8.9 kg/Nm, 112.1 Nm/tonne
Acceleration 0 - 60 mph:14.3 sec
Space:
Kerb Weight:1115
Max. weight:1540
Max load:425
Trunk (boot) space - maximum:1070 l
Trunk (boot) space - minimum:300 l
Fuel tank capacity:45 l
Size:
Length:4318 mm mm
Width:1650 mm mm
Height:1420 mm mm
Wheelbase:2509 mm mm
Front track:1315 mm
Rear (Back) track:1292 mm
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

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