1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V Review and Performance Comparison

Fiat X1/9 Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V is a powered by a Petrol Straight 0. This variant of the Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out around 1982. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1982 Lamborghini Countach LP500S and the 1983 Ford Capri Tickford Turbo.

This particular Fiat X1/9 has a 1498cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant driven by the Fiat Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol Straight 0's include the 2000 Mitsubishi Galant VR4 Type S

The X1/9 shares its Petrol Straight 0 engine configuration with the likes of the 2000 Mitsubishi Galant VR4 Type S and the 1952 Bentley R-Type 4.6 4d Saloon.If you're looking for other similar performing cars which share the X1/9's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce or the earlier 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 962 kgs (2120 lbs) places the Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V in a similar weight category as the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the excellent 2008 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S, give or take 50kg.

The Fiat X1/9 shares the same bhp with the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 1498cc 8 valve, Straight 0 engine produces around 67 bhp (49 kW) @ 5250 rpm which is comparable to the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp) and also the 2005 Citroen C1 1.0 VTR 3dr (67 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated Straight 0 throws out 0 lb-ft (0.0 Nm) @ 0 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Rezvani Beast 6.2 V8 (0 lb-ft) or the 2022 Mercedes AMG One 1.6 V6 Turbo Hybrid (1 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 1982 Fiat X1/9 in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 2009 Citroen DS3 1.6 HDi 110 (94.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Fiat X1/9.

The Fiat X1/9 has a power to weight ratio of 69.6 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 1982 X1/9 1.5 8V means you're competing with the 2009 Citroen DS3 1.6 HDi 110 (94.4 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 1954 Hudson Hornet 308 5L (94.3 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V generates around 0.0 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 2022 Mercedes AMG One 1.6 V6 Turbo Hybrid (0.5 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 1952 Bentley R-Type 4.6 4d Saloon (0.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V can accelerate 0–60mph in 0.00 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 0.0 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V include the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 (0.00 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2021 McMurtry Speirling Goodwood (1.40 secs).

The Straight 0 engine of the Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2021 McMurtry Speirling Goodwood (1.40 secs) and the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 (1.66 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V and the Peugeot 504 1.8 8v

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 1982 Fiat X1/9 can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 19.95 secs with a trap speed around 68.3 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Peugeot 504 1.8 8v (19.98 seconds @ 68.2 mph) and a close race between the Austin-Healey Sprite MKII AN7 (20.25 seconds @ 67.2 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. The 1982 version of the Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V has a maximum speed of 106mph.

Top Speed of the 1982 X1/9 equals the Plymouth Road Runner 426 Hemi V8 1st Gen (105 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V then there's the slightly slower the Plymouth Road Runner 426 Hemi V8 1st Gen (105 mph) or how about the impressive Chevrolet Impala Custom Hardtop 6.6L V8 (105 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 1982 X1/9 Rivals List.
• 1982 X1/9: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Fiat
• Compare the 1982 Fiat X1/9