Performance Review: Ford Fiesta RS Turbo - [1990]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Fiesta Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Fiesta RS Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1990. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1991 Jaguar XJ R-15 6.0 V12 and the 1991 Jaguar XJ 220.This particular Ford Fiesta has a 1597cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Fiesta shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Fiesta'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 910 kgs (2006 lbs) this makes the Ford Fiesta RS Turbo in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Fiesta shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1597cc 8V St4 engine produces 133 bhp (99 kW) @ 5500 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 Turbo St4 throws out 135 lb-ft (183.0 Nm) @ 2400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (159 lb-ft) or the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (148 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1995 Volvo 850 2.3 T5 R (171.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Fiesta.

The Ford Fiesta has a Power to weight ratio of 146.1 bhp per ton and 148.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1990 Fiesta competing with the 1995 Volvo 850 2.3 T5 R (171.1 bhp per ton) or the 1962 Buick Riviera 6.6 V8 (170.9 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 Ford Fiesta generating around 148.3 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 2009 Audi A5 S5 3.0 Quattro Cabriolet (173.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2003 Skoda Fabia 1.9 vRS 130bhp (173.3 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 Ford Fiesta RS Turbo 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 Ford Fiesta RS Turbo 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 Fiesta and the 2005 Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Spec B

When talking about the performance of the Ford Fiesta on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.38 secs @ 88.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2005 Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Spec B (15.32 secs), the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 265 DSG (15.32 secs), and the 1990 Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo (15.34 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1990 version of the Ford Fiesta RS Turbo has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 1990 Fiesta equals the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1990 Ford Fiesta RS Turbo then how about the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph), the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (141 mph), or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (141 mph).

Related Links:

1990 Fiesta Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison