Performance Review: Volvo 144 Grand Luxe 2.0 8v - [1966]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volvo 144 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volvo 144 Grand Luxe 2.0 8v is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1966. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1966 AC Cobra 427 and the 1966 Chevrolet Corvette C2 Stingray 427 425hp.This particular Volvo 144 has a 1986cc 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 144 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 144's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon 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 1290 kgs (2843 lbs) this makes the Volvo 144 Grand Luxe 2.0 8v in the same weight category as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Volvo 144 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1986cc 8V St4 engine produces 124 bhp (92 kW) @ 6000 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 123 lb-ft (166.7 Nm) @ 3500 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 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (148 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Volvo 144 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2010 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 VXR OPC (121.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volvo 144.

The Volvo 144 has a Power to weight ratio of 96.1 bhp per ton and 95.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1966 144 competing with the 2010 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 VXR OPC (121.0 bhp per ton) or the 1969 Mercedes 300 SEL 3.5 (120.8 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 Volvo 144 generating around 95.3 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 2005 Toyota Corolla TS Compressor 2.0L (120.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 1968 Ford Cortina MkII GT (120.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 10.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.4 secs, this made the Volvo 144 Grand Luxe 2.0 8v as fast as the 1967 Pontiac Firebird Sprint 3.8L (10.10 secs) the 2019 Ford Ranger F-150 Raptor 2.0 (10.20 secs) the 1983 Alfa-Romeo Alfasud 1.5 Ti QV (10.20 secs) the or the 1974 Peugeot 504 2.7 V6 (10.20 secs). This Volvo 144 Grand Luxe 2.0 8v is also faster than the 2019 Ford Ranger F-150 Raptor 2.0 (10.20 secs) the 1983 Alfa-Romeo Alfasud 1.5 Ti QV (10.20 secs) the 1974 Peugeot 504 2.7 V6 (10.20 secs) the and the 1970 GMC Jimmy 5.7 V8 (10.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 144 and the 1989 Toyota Starlet-Glanza GT Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Volvo 144 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.88 secs @ 76.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1989 Toyota Starlet-Glanza GT Turbo (17.80 secs), the 2011 Mini Cooper Cooper S (17.81 secs), and the 1997 Alfa-Romeo 156 2.5 V6 (17.82 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1966 version of the Volvo 144 Grand Luxe 2.0 8v has a maximum speed of 106mph.

Top Speed of the 1966 144 equals the 2007 Mazda 2 1.5 Sport (117 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1966 Volvo 144 Grand Luxe 2.0 8v then how about the 2007 Mazda 2 1.5 Sport (117 mph), the 1983 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GTE (117 mph), or the 1982 Ford Granada 2.8i V6 (117 mph).

Related Links:

1966 144 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volvo

Car Comparison