Performance Review: Nissan Sunny GTi R - [1992]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Nissan Sunny Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Nissan Sunny GTi R is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1992. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo and the 1992 Bugatti EB110 SuperSport.This particular Nissan Sunny has a 1998cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

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

The Sunny 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 Sunny'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 1269 kgs (2797 lbs) this makes the Nissan Sunny GTi R in the same weight category as the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Nissan Sunny shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1998cc 16V St4 engine produces 220 bhp (164 kW) @ 6400 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 197 lb-ft (267.0 Nm) @ 4800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 4.6 V8 (198.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Nissan Sunny.

The Nissan Sunny has a Power to weight ratio of 173.3 bhp per ton and 155.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1992 Sunny competing with the 1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 4.6 V8 (198.3 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5 Turbo (198.3 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 Nissan Sunny generating around 155.2 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 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (180.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2003 Lotus Elise 1.8 S2 Sport 190 (180.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.3 secs, this made the Nissan Sunny GTi R as fast as the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the or the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (6.10 secs). This Nissan Sunny GTi R is also faster than the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (6.20 secs) the and the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (6.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Sunny and the 2004 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8

When talking about the performance of the Nissan Sunny on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.42 secs @ 94.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 (14.35 secs), the 1960 Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop (14.37 secs), and the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (14.37 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1992 version of the Nissan Sunny GTi R has a maximum speed of 134mph.

Top Speed of the 1992 Sunny equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (145 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1992 Nissan Sunny GTi R then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (145 mph), the 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 350 Roadster 3.5 V6 (145 mph), or the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD (145 mph).

Related Links:

1992 Sunny Rivals List.

A Brief History of Nissan

Car Comparison