Opel Ascona B 2.0 N (90 Hp)


Overall Rating

7.5 / 10
Safety N/A / 5
Not Rated
Engine 3.8 / 5
Value 4.0 / 5
Performance 3.5 / 5
Comfort 3.0 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

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 142 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. Weighing only 1000 kg, it’s quite light. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 12 s). The top speed reaches 167 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.

Safety Rating
Not rated
Euro NCAP Year N/A
Adult Occupant N/A
Stars N/A
Expert Note:
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.

2.0 N (90 Hp) Verdict:

Rating 4 stars

Performance Verdict

A solid mid-range performer for its era, offering a decent balance of power and drivability. The 90 Hp provided adequate acceleration for both city and highway cruising.

Fuel Economy

Typical carburettor-fed economy for the late 70s; not particularly frugal but acceptable for a 2.0L engine of the time.

Best Use Case: Mixed driving, suitable for both daily commuting and longer journeys.

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(B: 1976 - 1979).

General:
Brand:Opel
Model:Ascona
Generation:B
Modification (Engine):2.0 N (90 Hp)
Start of production:1977
End of production:1979
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Sedan
Seats:5
Doors:2-4
Engine:
Power:90 Hp @ 5200 rpm. Same horsepower
Power per litre:45.5 Hp/l [Same length.]
Torque:142 Nm @ 3800 rpm.
Engine Model/Code:20N More details about the engine 20N
Engine displacement:1979
Number of cylinders:4
Engine configuration:Inline
Number of valves per cylinder:2
Fuel injection system:Carburettor
Engine aspiration:Naturally aspirated engine
Valvetrain:SOHC
Engine oil capacity:3.8 l
Coolant:6.2 l
Cylinder Bore:95 mm mm
Piston Stroke:69.8 mm mm
Compression ratio:8:1
Performance:
Fuel Type:Petrol (Gasoline)
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h:12 sec
Acceleration 0 - 62 mph:12 sec
Maximum speed:167 km/h
Weight-to-power ratio:11.1 kg/Hp, 90 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:7 kg/Nm, 142 Nm/tonne
Acceleration 0 - 60 mph:11.4 sec
Space:
Kerb Weight:1000
Max. weight:1420
Max load:420
Trunk (boot) space - minimum:380 l
Fuel tank capacity:50 l
Permitted trailer load without brakes:420 kg
Size:
Length:4321 mm mm [Same length.]
Width:1670 mm mm [Same width.]
Height:1380 mm mm [Same height.]
Wheelbase:2518 mm mm [Same wheelbase.]
Front track:1380 mm
Rear (Back) track:1375 mm
Ride height (ground clearance):130 mm
Minimum turning circle (turning diameter):10.1 m [above average]
Powertrain:
Drivetrain ArchitectureThe Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle.
Drive wheelRear wheel drive
Number of gears4
Transmission typeManual
Front brakesDisc [bad for performance and cooling.]
Rear brakesDrum [bad for performance and cooling.]

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