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ZAZ 968 A 1.2 A (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)
A Overview:
ZAZ 968 (A). With 74 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. Weighing only 790 kg, it’s quite light. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 38 s). The top speed reaches 116 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 4 makes it ideal for daily use.
As a vehicle from the 1970s, the ZAZ 968A predates modern safety standards and Euro NCAP testing. It lacks contemporary safety features like airbags, ABS, or advanced crumple zones, offering only basic passive safety for its era.
1.2 A (42 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
The 42 Hp 1.2 A engine provides extremely modest performance, with a 0-100 km/h time of 38 seconds. It is strictly suited for urban driving and leisurely pace, struggling significantly on highways or inclines.
Fuel Economy
With a combined fuel consumption of 7 l/100 km, the economy is acceptable for a carburetted engine of its era and displacement, though not particularly efficient by modern standards.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Affordable and simple to maintain (for its era)
- • Distinctive rear-engined, air-cooled V4 design
- • Compact and maneuverable for city driving
- • Robust and basic mechanicals
- • Unique classic car appeal
Cons:
- • Extremely poor acceleration and top speed
- • Basic safety features (typical for 1970s)
- • Limited comfort and refinement
- • Noisy engine, especially at higher speeds
- • Drum brakes all around offer limited stopping power
- • Dated technology and driving dynamics
Specifications:
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | ZAZ |
| Model: | 968 |
| Generation: | A |
| Modification (Engine): | 1.2 A (42 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1973 |
| End of production: | 1979 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| 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) - combined: | 7 l/100 km |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 38 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 38 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 116 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 18.8 kg/Hp, 53.2 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 10.7 kg/Nm, 93.7 Nm/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 36.1 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 790 |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 40 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 3730 mm |
| Width: | 1570 mm |
| Height: | 1400 mm |
| Wheelbase: | 2160 mm |
| Front track: | 1220 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1200 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 |
| Front brakes | Drum |
| Rear brakes | Drum |
| Steering type | Worm-reduction unit |
| Tires size | 155/80 SR13 |
| Front suspension | Torsion |
| Rear suspension | Coil spring |
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