Performance Review: Datsun 280 ZX Turbo - [1981]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Datsun 280 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Datsun 280 ZX Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1981. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V and the 1982 Lamborghini Countach LP500S.This particular Datsun 280 has a 2753cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The 280 shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 280'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 1297 kgs (2859 lbs) this makes the Datsun 280 ZX Turbo in the same weight category as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Datsun 280 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 2753cc 12V St6 engine produces 180 bhp (134 kW) @ 5600 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Turbo St6 throws out 202 lb-ft (273.8 Nm) @ 2800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Datsun 280 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Roadster (163.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Datsun 280.

The Datsun 280 has a Power to weight ratio of 138.7 bhp per ton and 155.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1981 280 competing with the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Roadster (163.7 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (163.7 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 Datsun 280 generating around 155.7 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 2006 Audi A8 4.2 Quattro (180.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible 6.4L V8 3rd Gen (180.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.6 secs, this made the Datsun 280 ZX Turbo as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue (7.40 secs) the 2013 KIA Pro Ceed GT 1.6 Turbo (7.40 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper S Paceman (7.40 secs) the or the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (7.40 secs). This Datsun 280 ZX Turbo is also faster than the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (7.50 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (7.50 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG (7.50 secs) the and the 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Premium (7.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 280 and the 2002 Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe

When talking about the performance of the Datsun 280 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.82 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 1981 version of the Datsun 280 ZX Turbo has a maximum speed of 129mph.

Top Speed of the 1981 280 equals the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (140 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1981 Datsun 280 ZX Turbo then how about the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (140 mph), the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (140 mph), or the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (140 mph).

Related Links:

1981 280 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Datsun

Car Comparison