Performance Review: Daihatsu Charade GTti - [1987]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Daihatsu Charade Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Daihatsu Charade GTti is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1987. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1987 Porsche 959 Turbo and the 1987 Ferrari F40 2.9 V8.This particular Daihatsu Charade has a 993cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 3 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St3's includes the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo

The Charade shares its Petrol St3 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo and the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Charade's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 816 kgs (1798 lbs) this makes the Daihatsu Charade GTti in the same weight category as the 2011 Ginetta G40 R 2.0L or the give or take 50kg.

The Daihatsu Charade shares the same bhp with the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp)

In terms of power the 993cc 12V St3 engine produces 100 bhp (74 kW) @ 0 rpm similar to the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp) or the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St3 throws out 96 lb-ft (130.1 Nm) @ 0 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 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (147.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Daihatsu Charade.

The Daihatsu Charade has a Power to weight ratio of 122.5 bhp per ton and 117.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1987 Charade competing with the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (147.5 bhp per ton) or the 1996 BMW Z3 E36 2.8L Roadster (147.4 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 Daihatsu Charade generating around 117.6 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 1967 Rover P5 B 3.5 V8 Coupe (142.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 1967 Rover P5 B 3.5 V8 (142.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.2 secs, this made the Daihatsu Charade GTti as fast as the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (7.90 secs) the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TDI (7.90 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps Sportshift (7.90 secs) the or the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (7.90 secs). This Daihatsu Charade GTti is also faster than the 2011 Citroen DS5 1.6 THP 200 (8.00 secs) the 2009 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (8.00 secs) the 2008 Alfa-Romeo Mito 1.4 155 T-Jet Veloce (8.00 secs) the and the 2007 Fiat Bravo 1.9 Sport Multijet (8.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Charade and the 1959 Maserati 5000 GT

When talking about the performance of the Daihatsu Charade on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.36 secs @ 83.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1959 Maserati 5000 GT (16.28 secs), the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (16.28 secs), and the 2001 Lexus SC 430 4.3 (16.29 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1987 version of the Daihatsu Charade GTti has a maximum speed of 114mph.

Top Speed of the 1987 Charade equals the 2011 Renault Twingo 1.6 133 Renaultsport Cup (125 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1987 Daihatsu Charade GTti then how about the 2011 Renault Twingo 1.6 133 Renaultsport Cup (125 mph), the 2011 Fisker Karma Hybrid (125 mph), or the 2009 Tesla Roadster Electric 248bhp (125 mph).

Related Links:

1987 Charade Rivals List.

A Brief History of Daihatsu

Car Comparison