Performance Review: Ford Fiesta XR2 - [1981]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Fiesta Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Fiesta XR2 is the 4 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 Ford Fiesta has a 1598cc Naturally Aspirated 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 800 kgs (1763 lbs) this makes the Ford Fiesta XR2 in the same weight category as the 2011 KTM X-Bow R 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Fiesta shares the same bhp with the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp)

In terms of power the 1598cc 8V St4 engine produces 84 bhp (62 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (98 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 91 lb-ft (123.3 Nm) @ 2800 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 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 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 2004 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.9 TDI (130.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Fiesta.

The Ford Fiesta has a Power to weight ratio of 105.0 bhp per ton and 113.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1981 Fiesta competing with the 2004 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.9 TDI (130.0 bhp per ton) or the 1991 Bentley Continental R 6.8 V8 Turbo (130.0 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 Ford Fiesta generating around 113.7 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 2002 Vauxhall-Opel Vectra 3.2 V6 GSi (138.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1973 Vauxhall-Opel Firenza Droop Snoot 2.3 Litre (138.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.6 secs, this made the Ford Fiesta XR2 as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (9.30 secs) the 2000 Alfa-Romeo 166 2.0 ts (9.30 secs) the 1993 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 GSi 16V (9.30 secs) the or the 1991 Peugeot 205 Rallye 1.3 8v (9.30 secs). This Ford Fiesta XR2 is also faster than the 1986 Ford Granada Scorpio 4x4 2.8 V6 (9.40 secs) the 1973 Vauxhall-Opel Firenza Droop Snoot 2.3 Litre (9.40 secs) the 1955 Ford Thunderbird 292 Fordomatic 1st Gen. (9.40 secs) the and the 2001 Alfa-Romeo 147 TS Selespeed (9.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Fiesta and the 1998 BMW 7 Series 740i E38 Auto

When talking about the performance of the Ford Fiesta on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.23 secs @ 79.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1998 BMW 7 Series 740i E38 Auto (17.16 secs), the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (17.16 secs), and the 1954 Ferrari 250 Europa (17.19 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1981 version of the Ford Fiesta XR2 has a maximum speed of 106mph.

Top Speed of the 1981 Fiesta equals the 2007 Mazda 2 1.5 Sport (117 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1981 Ford Fiesta XR2 then how about the 2007 Mazda 2 1.5 Sport (117 mph), the 1983 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GTE (117 mph), or the 1982 Ford Granada 2.8i V6 (117 mph).

Related Links:

1981 Fiesta Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison