Performance Review: Jensen Healey 2.0 16v - [1972]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Jensen Healey Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Jensen Healey 2.0 16v is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1972. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1973 Monteverdi Hai 450 GTS and the 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona.This particular Jensen Healey has a 1973cc 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 Healey 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 Healey's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet 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 965 kgs (2127 lbs) this makes the Jensen Healey 2.0 16v in the same weight category as the 2008 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 1973cc 16V St4 engine produces 140 bhp (104 kW) @ 6500 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 Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 130 lb-ft (176.2 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (148 lb-ft) or the 2013 Caterham 7 485 2.0L (152 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1996 Honda Integra 1.8 Type R DC2 (169.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Jensen Healey.

The Jensen Healey has a Power to weight ratio of 145.0 bhp per ton and 134.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1972 Healey competing with the 1996 Honda Integra 1.8 Type R DC2 (169.8 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Peugeot 208 GTi 1.6 Turbo (169.8 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 Jensen Healey generating around 134.7 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 1997 Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 (159.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2005 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 4.2 V8 Supercharged (159.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.1 secs, this made the Jensen Healey 2.0 16v as fast as the 2017 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3 TDCi 185PS (7.80 secs) the 2015 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-2 TDCi 185PS (7.80 secs) the 2007 Lexus IS 250 AWD (7.80 secs) the or the 2001 MG ZT 2.5 V6 190 (7.80 secs). This Jensen Healey 2.0 16v is also faster than 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 and the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (7.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Healey and the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Coupe

When talking about the performance of the Jensen Healey on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.69 secs @ 87.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Coupe (15.62 secs), the 1975 Lotus Esprit S1 2.0 (15.62 secs), and the 1990 Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 1 (15.63 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1972 version of the Jensen Healey 2.0 16v has a maximum speed of 119mph.

Top Speed of the 1972 Healey equals the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (130 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1972 Jensen Healey 2.0 16v then how about the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (130 mph), the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (130 mph), or the 2017 BMW 2 Series M240i (130 mph).

Related Links:

1972 Healey Rivals List.

A Brief History of Jensen

Car Comparison