Performance Review: Austin-Healey Sprite MK IV AN8 - [1966]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Austin-Healey Sprite Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Austin-Healey Sprite MK IV AN8 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1966. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1966 AC Cobra 427 and the 1966 Chevrolet Corvette C2 Stingray 427 425hp.This particular Austin-Healey Sprite has a 1275cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Sprite shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Sprite's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet 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 714 kgs (1574 lbs) this makes the Austin-Healey Sprite MK IV AN8 in the same weight category as the 2003 Lotus Elise 1.8 S2 Sport 190 or the give or take 50kg.

The Austin-Healey Sprite shares the same bhp with the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp)

In terms of power the 1275cc 8V St4 engine produces 64 bhp (47 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp) or the 2005 Citroen C1 1.0 VTR 3dr (67 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 72 lb-ft (97.6 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft) or the 2011 Aston-Martin Cygnet 1.3L Launch Edition (92 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1983 Vauxhall-Opel Kadett 1.8 GTE (114.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Austin-Healey Sprite.

The Austin-Healey Sprite has a Power to weight ratio of 89.6 bhp per ton and 100.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1966 Sprite competing with the 1983 Vauxhall-Opel Kadett 1.8 GTE (114.4 bhp per ton) or the 1963 Mercedes SL Class 230SL W113 (114.2 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 Austin-Healey Sprite generating around 100.8 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 2005 Hummer H2 6.0 V8 (125.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2001 Skoda Octavia 1.8t vRS (125.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 12.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 12.6 secs, this made the Austin-Healey Sprite MK IV AN8 as fast as the 1970 Vauxhall-Opel Manta Rallye 1.9 8v (12.20 secs) the 1955 Austin-Healey 100 M BN2 2.6L (12.20 secs) the 1954 Hudson Hornet 308 5L (12.20 secs) the or the 1963 Lancia Flaminia Coupe 3 B 2.5 GT (12.30 secs). This Austin-Healey Sprite MK IV AN8 is also faster than the 1963 Lancia Flaminia Coupe 3 B 2.5 GT (12.30 secs) the 1962 Lincoln Continental 7.0L V8 (12.40 secs) the 1950 Aston-Martin DB2 2.6L (12.40 secs) the and the 1955 Triumph TR3 2.0L Convertible (12.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Sprite and the 1954 Jaguar XK 140 SE

When talking about the performance of the Austin-Healey Sprite on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 18.58 secs @ 73.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1954 Jaguar XK 140 SE (18.49 secs), the 1988 Volkswagen-VW Jetta GTi 1.8 16v (18.49 secs), and the 1951 Ferrari 212 Export (18.50 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1966 version of the Austin-Healey Sprite MK IV AN8 has a maximum speed of 95mph.

Top Speed of the 1966 Sprite equals the 2019 Ford Ranger F-150 Raptor 2.0 (106 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1966 Austin-Healey Sprite MK IV AN8 then how about the 2019 Ford Ranger F-150 Raptor 2.0 (106 mph), the 2011 Aston-Martin Cygnet 1.3L Launch Edition (106 mph), or the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V (106 mph).

Related Links:

1966 Sprite Rivals List.

A Brief History of Austin-Healey

Car Comparison