Performance Review: Peugeot 309 1.9 GTi 16v - [1992]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Peugeot 309 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Peugeot 309 1.9 GTi 16v 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 Peugeot 309 has a 1905cc 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 309 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 309'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 975 kgs (2149 lbs) this makes the Peugeot 309 1.9 GTi 16v in the same weight category as the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Peugeot 309 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1905cc 16V St4 engine produces 148 bhp (110 kW) @ 6400 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 122 lb-ft (165.4 Nm) @ 5000 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 Peugeot 309 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1972 Lamborghini Urraco 2.5L V8 P250 (176.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Peugeot 309.

The Peugeot 309 has a Power to weight ratio of 151.7 bhp per ton and 125.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1992 309 competing with the 1972 Lamborghini Urraco 2.5L V8 P250 (176.7 bhp per ton) or the 2011 Mazda 3 2.3 Mazdaspeed (176.7 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 Peugeot 309 generating around 125.1 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 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP 3.9 V6 (150.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 1986 Lancia Thema 2.9 V8 8.32 (150.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.0 secs, this made the Peugeot 309 1.9 GTi 16v as fast as the 2010 Citroen DS4 200 1.6 Turbo (7.70 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Polo 1.8T GTi (7.70 secs) the 2005 Audi Q7 4.2 V8 (7.70 secs) the or the 2005 Mitsubishi Colt CZT 1.5 Turbo (7.70 secs). This Peugeot 309 1.9 GTi 16v is also faster than 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 and the 2001 MG ZT 2.5 V6 190 (7.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 309 and the 2011 Fisker Karma Hybrid

When talking about the performance of the Peugeot 309 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.16 secs @ 90.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2011 Fisker Karma Hybrid (15.09 secs), the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (15.10 secs), and the 2016 Audi A6 3.0 TDI BiTurbo Quattro Tiptronic (15.11 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1992 version of the Peugeot 309 1.9 GTi 16v has a maximum speed of 134mph.

Top Speed of the 1992 309 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 Peugeot 309 1.9 GTi 16v 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 309 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Peugeot

Car Comparison