Performance Review: Austin-Healey Sprite MKII AN7 - [1961]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Austin-Healey Sprite Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Austin-Healey Sprite MKII AN7 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1961. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1 327 V8 and the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO.This particular Austin-Healey Sprite has a 948cc 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 685 kgs (1510 lbs) this makes the Austin-Healey Sprite MKII AN7 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 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (34 bhp)

In terms of power the 948cc 8V St4 engine produces 47 bhp (35 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (34 bhp) or the 2005 Citroen C1 1.0 VTR 3dr (67 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 53 lb-ft (71.8 Nm) @ 2750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (41 lb-ft) or the 2005 Citroen C1 1.0 VTR 3dr (68 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 1971 Bentley Corniche 6.8 V8 Convertible (93.4 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 68.6 bhp per ton and 77.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1961 Sprite competing with the 1971 Bentley Corniche 6.8 V8 Convertible (93.4 bhp per ton) or the 1962 Bentley S 3 (93.4 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 77.3 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 1962 Rover P5 MkII/III (102.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2000 Citroen C2 VTR (102.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 16.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 17.4 secs, this made the Austin-Healey Sprite MKII AN7 as fast as the 1961 Skoda Felicia 1.1L Cabriolet (16.80 secs) the 1953 Studebaker Commander 3.8 V8 Coupe (16.90 secs) the 1952 Porsche 356 1.5l 2+2 (17.00 secs) the or the 1980 Skoda 120 L 1200 (17.50 secs). This Austin-Healey Sprite MKII AN7 is also faster than the 1953 Studebaker Commander 3.8 V8 Coupe (16.90 secs) the 1952 Porsche 356 1.5l 2+2 (17.00 secs) the 1980 Skoda 120 L 1200 (17.50 secs) the and the 1974 Skoda S110 R/T 426 7.0 V8 Hemi (17.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Sprite and the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG

When talking about the performance of the Austin-Healey Sprite on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 20.34 secs @ 67.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (20.27 secs), the 2004 Land-Rover Discovery 3 4.4 V8 (20.27 secs), and the 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR (20.28 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1961 version of the Austin-Healey Sprite MKII AN7 has a maximum speed of 86mph.

Top Speed of the 1961 Sprite equals the 1976 Triumph 2500 TC (99 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite MKII AN7 then how about the 1976 Triumph 2500 TC (99 mph), the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (100 mph), or the 2005 Citroen C1 1.0 VTR 3dr (100 mph).

Related Links:

1961 Sprite Rivals List.

A Brief History of Austin-Healey

Car Comparison