Performance Review: Ford Mustang 2 Cobra 140 2.3 - [1978]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Mustang Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Mustang 2 Cobra 140 2.3 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1978. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1979 DeTomaso Pantera GT5 S 5.8 V8 and the 1978 BMW M1 3.5 2d Manual.This particular Ford Mustang has a 2301cc 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 Mustang 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 Mustang'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 1250 kgs (2755 lbs) this makes the Ford Mustang 2 Cobra 140 2.3 in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 2301cc 8V St4 engine produces 88 bhp (65 kW) @ 4800 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 118 lb-ft (159.9 Nm) @ 2800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (140 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 Ford Mustang you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1950 Jaguar Mark VII 3.4L (95.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Mustang.

The Ford Mustang has a Power to weight ratio of 70.4 bhp per ton and 94.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1978 Mustang competing with the 1950 Jaguar Mark VII 3.4L (95.4 bhp per ton) or the 1976 Ford Mustang Cobra 2 302 4.9 V8 (95.3 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 Mustang generating around 94.4 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 1998 Peugeot 306 2.0 Rallye (119.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 1996 Peugeot 306 GTi 6 (119.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 12.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 12.4 secs, this made the Ford Mustang 2 Cobra 140 2.3 as fast as the 1977 Ford Thunderbird 400 6.6L V8 7th Gen (12.00 secs) the 1968 Ford Cortina MkII GT (12.00 secs) the 1965 Bentley T 6.2 V8 (12.00 secs) the or the 1959 Bentley S 2 Saloon (12.00 secs). This Ford Mustang 2 Cobra 140 2.3 is also faster than the 1967 Mercedes 200 W114 Sedan Serie 1 (12.10 secs) the 1967 Rover P5 B 3.5 V8 Coupe (12.10 secs) the 1967 Rover P5 B 3.5 V8 (12.10 secs) the and the 1970 Vauxhall-Opel Manta Rallye 1.9 8v (12.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mustang and the 1970 Ford Escort MK1 RS1600

When talking about the performance of the Ford Mustang on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 19.85 secs @ 68.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1970 Ford Escort MK1 RS1600 (19.77 secs), the 1998 BMW 3 Series 328i Saloon E46 (19.77 secs), and the 1981 Datsun 280 ZX Turbo (19.78 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1978 version of the Ford Mustang 2 Cobra 140 2.3 has a maximum speed of 100mph.

Top Speed of the 1978 Mustang equals the 1979 Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 (111 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1978 Ford Mustang 2 Cobra 140 2.3 then how about the 1979 Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 (111 mph), the 1976 Ford Granada 3.0 V6 (111 mph), or the 1975 Ford Escort Mk2 RS1800 (111 mph).

Related Links:

1978 Mustang Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison