Performance Review: Datsun 280 ZX - [1979]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Datsun 280 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Datsun 280 ZX 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 Datsun 280 has a 2753cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The 280 shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 280's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe 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 1272 kgs (2804 lbs) this makes the Datsun 280 ZX in the same weight category as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Datsun 280 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 2753cc 12V St6 engine produces 140 bhp (104 kW) @ 5200 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 St6 throws out 149 lb-ft (202.0 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Datsun 280 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1991 Ford Granada Scorpio Cosworth (135.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Datsun 280.

The Datsun 280 has a Power to weight ratio of 110.0 bhp per ton and 117.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1979 280 competing with the 1991 Ford Granada Scorpio Cosworth (135.0 bhp per ton) or the 1990 Volvo 940 2.3 Turbo (135.0 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 Datsun 280 generating around 117.1 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 1997 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.8 VR6 4MOTION (142.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1988 Nissan 200SX S13 1.8T (141.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.6 secs, this made the Datsun 280 ZX as fast as the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (8.30 secs) the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (8.30 secs) the 2005 Peugeot 407 3.0 V6 Coupe (8.30 secs) the or the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi (8.30 secs). This Datsun 280 ZX is also faster than the 2007 Seat Ibiza 1.8 20vt FR (8.40 secs) the 2006 Peugeot 207 CC GT (8.40 secs) the 2003 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.2 16V (8.40 secs) the and the 1996 Peugeot 106 16v GTi (8.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 280 and the 2007 Volvo S40 T5 2.5 Turbo AWD

When talking about the performance of the Datsun 280 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.1 secs @ 80.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 Volvo S40 T5 2.5 Turbo AWD (17.03 secs), the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS 2.0 Supercharged (17.04 secs), and the 1978 Maserati Merak SS 3.0 V6 (17.04 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1979 version of the Datsun 280 ZX has a maximum speed of 117mph.

Top Speed of the 1979 280 equals the 1993 Bentley Brooklands 4d (128 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1979 Datsun 280 ZX then how about the 1993 Bentley Brooklands 4d (128 mph), the 1971 Dodge Dart Demon Sport Coupe 5.5 V8 340 (128 mph), or the 1966 Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 (128 mph).

Related Links:

1979 280 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Datsun

Car Comparison