Performance Review: Ford Mustang Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Turbo - [1979]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Mustang Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Mustang Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Turbo is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1979. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1979 DeTomaso Pantera GT5 S 5.8 V8 and the 1980 Lotus Esprit S2.2 Turbo.This particular Ford Mustang has a 2301cc Turbo 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 1200 kgs (2645 lbs) this makes the Ford Mustang Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Turbo in the same weight category as the 2018 McLaren Senna 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 2301cc 8V St4 engine produces 116 bhp (86 kW) @ 5200 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 135 lb-ft (183.0 Nm) @ 3200 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 Mustang you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2008 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (121.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Mustang.

The Ford Mustang has a Power to weight ratio of 96.6 bhp per ton and 112.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1979 Mustang competing with the 2008 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (121.6 bhp per ton) or the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (121.4 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 112.5 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 1986 Lamborghini LM002 5.2 V12 (137.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Beetle 2.0 TSi Cabriolet (137.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.1 secs, this made the Ford Mustang Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Turbo as fast as the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (9.80 secs) the 1980 Ford Mustang M81 Mclaren 2.3 Turbo (9.80 secs) the 1979 Ford Mustang Cobra 2.3 V6 Turbo (9.80 secs) the or the 1979 Volvo 242 GT 2.3 (9.80 secs). This Ford Mustang Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Turbo is also faster than the 2001 Citroen C5 2.2 HDi 16v (9.90 secs) the 1997 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (9.90 secs) the 1980 Nissan Skyline Hardtop 2000 Turbo GT-E (9.90 secs) the and the 1979 Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 (9.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mustang and the 1992 BMW 7 Series 740i E32

When talking about the performance of the Ford Mustang on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.87 secs @ 76.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1992 BMW 7 Series 740i E32 (17.79 secs), the 2013 Porsche Panamera S E Hybrid 3.0 V6 (17.79 secs), and the 1989 Toyota Starlet-Glanza GT Turbo (17.80 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1979 version of the Ford Mustang Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Turbo has a maximum speed of 112mph.

Top Speed of the 1979 Mustang equals the 1994 Fiat Punto 1.4 GT (123 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1979 Ford Mustang Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Turbo then how about the 1994 Fiat Punto 1.4 GT (123 mph), the 1986 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 8v (123 mph), or the 1983 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 Convertible (123 mph).

Related Links:

1979 Mustang Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison