Performance Review: Nissan Cherry 1.5 Turbo - [1984]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Nissan Cherry Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Nissan Cherry 1.5 Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1984. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S QV and the 1984 Audi Quattro Sport 2.2 T.This particular Nissan Cherry has a 1488cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

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

The Cherry 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 Cherry'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 884 kgs (1948 lbs) this makes the Nissan Cherry 1.5 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2009 Lotus Exige Cup 260 1.8 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 1488cc 8V St4 engine produces 114 bhp (85 kW) @ 5600 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 121 lb-ft (164.0 Nm) @ 3200 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 Nissan Cherry you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (153.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Nissan Cherry.

The Nissan Cherry has a Power to weight ratio of 128.9 bhp per ton and 136.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1984 Cherry competing with the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (153.9 bhp per ton) or the 1980 Mercedes SL Class 500SL V8 R107 (153.8 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 Nissan Cherry generating around 136.8 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 2016 Renault Clio RS Trophy 220 1.6 Turbo (161.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (161.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.5 secs, this made the Nissan Cherry 1.5 Turbo as fast as the 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR (8.20 secs) the 2005 Land-Rover Range Rover 4.4 V8 (8.20 secs) the 2003 BMW X5 3.0d (8.20 secs) the or the 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (8.20 secs). This Nissan Cherry 1.5 Turbo is also faster than the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (8.30 secs) the 2005 Peugeot 407 3.0 V6 Coupe (8.30 secs) the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (8.30 secs) the and the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi (8.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Cherry and the 1997 Mercedes SL Class 500

When talking about the performance of the Nissan Cherry on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.05 secs @ 85.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1997 Mercedes SL Class 500 (15.97 secs), the 2010 Audi A8 3.0 TFSI Quattro (15.97 secs), and the 1975 Jaguar XJ S V12 (15.99 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1984 version of the Nissan Cherry 1.5 Turbo has a maximum speed of 114mph.

Top Speed of the 1984 Cherry equals the 2011 Fisker Karma Hybrid (125 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1984 Nissan Cherry 1.5 Turbo then how about the 2011 Fisker Karma Hybrid (125 mph), the 2011 Renault Twingo 1.6 133 Renaultsport Cup (125 mph), or the 2009 Tesla Roadster Electric 248bhp (125 mph).

Related Links:

1984 Cherry Rivals List.

A Brief History of Nissan

Car Comparison