Performance Review: Ford Capri RS 3100 - [1973]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Capri Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Capri RS 3100 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1973. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1973 Monteverdi Hai 450 GTS and the 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona.This particular Ford Capri has a 3093cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The Capri shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Capri's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1050 kgs (2314 lbs) this makes the Ford Capri RS 3100 in the same weight category as the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Capri shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 3093cc 12V V6 engine produces 148 bhp (110 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 192 lb-ft (260.3 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Capri you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1967 Plymouth Fury 384 (165.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Capri.

The Ford Capri has a Power to weight ratio of 140.9 bhp per ton and 182.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1973 Capri competing with the 1967 Plymouth Fury 384 (165.9 bhp per ton) or the 1972 Dodge Charger SE Hardtop 7.2L TorqueFlite (165.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Capri generating around 182.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1960 Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop (207.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Dodge Charger 5.7 V8 R/T (207.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.9 secs, this made the Ford Capri RS 3100 as fast as the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (7.60 secs) the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the or the 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 GTi (7.60 secs). This Ford Capri RS 3100 is also faster than the 2010 Citroen DS4 200 1.6 Turbo (7.70 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Polo 1.8T GTi (7.70 secs) the 2005 Audi Q7 4.2 V8 (7.70 secs) the and the 2005 Mitsubishi Colt CZT 1.5 Turbo (7.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Capri and the 2002 Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe

When talking about the performance of the Ford Capri on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.8 secs @ 86.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe (15.75 secs), the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26R (15.75 secs), and the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 (15.75 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1973 version of the Ford Capri RS 3100 has a maximum speed of 125mph.

Top Speed of the 1973 Capri equals the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1973 Ford Capri RS 3100 then how about the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph), the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (136 mph), or the 1992 Subaru Legacy 2.0 Turbo (136 mph).

Related Links:

1973 Capri Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison