Performance Review: Ferrari 159 S 1.9L V12 - [1947]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ferrari 159 S Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ferrari 159 S 1.9L V12 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1947. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1948 Jaguar XK 120 SE FHC and the 1948 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster.This particular Ferrari 159 S has a 1903cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The 159 S shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 159 S'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 850 kgs (1873 lbs) this makes the Ferrari 159 S 1.9L V12 in the same weight category as the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer or the give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari 159 S shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1903cc 24V V12 engine produces 123 bhp (91 kW) @ 7000 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 V12 throws out 96 lb-ft (130.1 Nm) @ 5000 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 Ferrari 159 S you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo (169.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari 159 S.

The Ferrari 159 S has a Power to weight ratio of 144.7 bhp per ton and 112.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1947 159 S competing with the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo (169.7 bhp per ton) or the 1993 Mercedes E Class 400 W124 (169.7 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 Ferrari 159 S generating around 112.9 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 Volvo C70 2.5 T5 Coupe Convertible Sport (137.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1996 BMW 5 Series 530i Saloon E39 (137.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 10.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.3 secs, this made the Ferrari 159 S 1.9L V12 as fast as the 1980 Renault 18 1.6 Turbo (10.00 secs) the 1976 Triumph 2500 TC (10.00 secs) the 1966 Pontiac Tempest Le Mans Sprint (10.00 secs) the or the 1950 Ferrari 195 Inter (10.00 secs). This Ferrari 159 S 1.9L V12 is also faster than the 1967 Pontiac Firebird Sprint 3.8L (10.10 secs) the 1966 Volvo 144 Grand Luxe 2.0 8v (10.10 secs) the 2019 Ford Ranger F-150 Raptor 2.0 (10.20 secs) the and the 1983 Alfa-Romeo Alfasud 1.5 Ti QV (10.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 159 S and the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup

When talking about the performance of the Ferrari 159 S on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.75 secs @ 86.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (15.68 secs), the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray 454 7.4 V8 (15.69 secs), and the 2003 Chrysler 300 c 5.7 Hemi (15.70 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1947 version of the Ferrari 159 S 1.9L V12 has a maximum speed of 124mph.

Top Speed of the 1947 159 S equals the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1947 Ferrari 159 S 1.9L V12 then how about the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (135 mph).

Related Links:

1947 159 S Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ferrari

Car Comparison