Performance Review: Daihatsu Charade 1.0 Turbo - [1979]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Daihatsu Charade Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Daihatsu Charade 1.0 Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1979. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1979 DeTomaso Pantera GT5 S 5.8 V8 and the 1980 Lotus Esprit S2.2 Turbo.This particular Daihatsu Charade has a 993cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 3 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St3's includes the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo

The Charade shares its Petrol St3 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo and the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Charade'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 720 kgs (1587 lbs) this makes the Daihatsu Charade 1.0 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2007 KTM X-Bow 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Daihatsu Charade shares the same bhp with the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp)

In terms of power the 993cc 6V St3 engine produces 67 bhp (49 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp) or the 2005 Citroen C1 1.0 VTR 3dr (67 bhp).

The Turbo St3 throws out 78 lb-ft (105.7 Nm) @ 3200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft) or the 2011 Morgan 3 Wheeler 2.0l V-Twin (103 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2001 MG ZS 2.5 V6 180 (118.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Daihatsu Charade.

The Daihatsu Charade has a Power to weight ratio of 93.0 bhp per ton and 108.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1979 Charade competing with the 2001 MG ZS 2.5 V6 180 (118.0 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (118.0 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 Daihatsu Charade generating around 108.3 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 1972 Lamborghini Urraco 2.5L V8 P250 (133.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 1989 Ford Sierra XR4X4 (133.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 11.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 11.7 secs, this made the Daihatsu Charade 1.0 Turbo as fast as the 1974 Ford Mustang Mach 1 170 2.8 V6 (11.40 secs) the 1970 Ford Escort MK1 Mexico RS (11.50 secs) the 1956 Austin-Healey 100 SIX BN4 (11.50 secs) the or the 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 350 Coupe 2nd Gen (11.60 secs). This Daihatsu Charade 1.0 Turbo is also faster than the 1974 Ford Mustang Mach 1 170 2.8 V6 (11.40 secs) the 1970 Ford Escort MK1 Mexico RS (11.50 secs) the 1956 Austin-Healey 100 SIX BN4 (11.50 secs) the and the 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 350 Coupe 2nd Gen (11.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Charade and the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Astra GTC VXR 2.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Daihatsu Charade on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 18 secs @ 76.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Astra GTC VXR 2.0 Turbo (17.92 secs), the 1994 Rover 600 620 Ti (17.92 secs), and the 1986 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 8v (17.93 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1979 version of the Daihatsu Charade 1.0 Turbo has a maximum speed of 100mph.

Top Speed of the 1979 Charade equals the 1979 Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 (111 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1979 Daihatsu Charade 1.0 Turbo then how about the 1979 Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 (111 mph), the 1976 Ford Granada 3.0 V6 (111 mph), or the 1975 Ford Escort Mk2 RS1800 (111 mph).

Related Links:

1979 Charade Rivals List.

A Brief History of Daihatsu

Car Comparison