Performance Review: Fiat Strada-Ritmo Abarth 125 TC - [1984]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Fiat Strada-Ritmo Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Fiat Strada-Ritmo Abarth 125 TC is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1984. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S QV and the 1984 Audi Quattro Sport 2.2 T.This particular Fiat Strada-Ritmo has a 1995cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 5 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St5's includes the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo

The Strada-Ritmo shares its Petrol St5 engine configuration with the likes of the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo and the 2018 Audi TT RS 2.5 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Strada-Ritmo'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 950 kgs (2094 lbs) this makes the Fiat Strada-Ritmo Abarth 125 TC in the same weight category as the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Fiat Strada-Ritmo shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1995cc 8V St5 engine produces 123 bhp (91 kW) @ 5800 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 St5 throws out 126 lb-ft (170.8 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (148 lb-ft) or the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (151 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1987 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 Convertible (154.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Fiat Strada-Ritmo.

The Fiat Strada-Ritmo has a Power to weight ratio of 129.4 bhp per ton and 132.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1984 Strada-Ritmo competing with the 1987 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 Convertible (154.3 bhp per ton) or the 1993 BMW 8 Series 840Ci 4.0 V8 2d Auto (154.0 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 Fiat Strada-Ritmo generating around 132.6 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 1962 Bentley S 3 (157.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2010 Volkswagen-VW Scirocco 2.0 TSI DSG (157.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.9 secs, this made the Fiat Strada-Ritmo Abarth 125 TC as fast as the 2012 Jaguar XJ V6 (8.60 secs) the 2006 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.6 TDV8 (8.60 secs) the 2004 Audi A4 1.8T Sport (8.60 secs) the or the 2003 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 FSI (8.60 secs). This Fiat Strada-Ritmo Abarth 125 TC is also faster than the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (8.70 secs) the 2011 Renault Twingo 1.6 133 Renaultsport Cup (8.70 secs) the 2009 Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDi 200 GT (8.70 secs) the and the 2003 Lancia Thesis 3.2 V6 24v Comfortronic (8.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Strada-Ritmo and the 1988 Aston-Martin Virage 5.3 V8 1988

When talking about the performance of the Fiat Strada-Ritmo on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16 secs @ 85.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1988 Aston-Martin Virage 5.3 V8 1988 (15.92 secs), the 2004 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - EP3 (15.92 secs), and the 2001 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R EP2 - EDM (15.92 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1984 version of the Fiat Strada-Ritmo Abarth 125 TC has a maximum speed of 121mph.

Top Speed of the 1984 Strada-Ritmo equals the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (132 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1984 Fiat Strada-Ritmo Abarth 125 TC then how about the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (132 mph), the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (132 mph), or the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (132 mph).

Related Links:

1984 Strada-Ritmo Rivals List.

A Brief History of Fiat

Car Comparison