Performance Review: Fiat 130 3.2 V6 Coupe - [1971]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Fiat 130 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Fiat 130 3.2 V6 Coupe is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1971. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1971 Chevrolet Corvette C3 ZR2 Stingray 7.4 V8 Convertible and the 1971 Ford Mustang 351 5.8 V8 Convertible.This particular Fiat 130 has a 3235cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The 130 shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 130'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 1559 kgs (3437 lbs) this makes the Fiat 130 3.2 V6 Coupe in the same weight category as the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Fiat 130 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 3235cc 12V V6 engine produces 167 bhp (124 kW) @ 5600 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 184 lb-ft (249.4 Nm) @ 3400 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 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Fiat 130 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1986 Peugeot 309 1.9 GTi 8V (131.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Fiat 130.

The Fiat 130 has a Power to weight ratio of 107.1 bhp per ton and 118.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1971 130 competing with the 1986 Peugeot 309 1.9 GTi 8V (131.9 bhp per ton) or the 1985 Toyota MR2 Mk1 (131.8 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 Fiat 130 generating around 118.0 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 1988 Vauxhall-Opel Kadett 2.0 16V GSi (142.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1992 Volkswagen-VW Vento 2.8 VR6 (142.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.9 secs, this made the Fiat 130 3.2 V6 Coupe as fast as the 2009 Citroen DS3 1.6 HDi 110 (9.60 secs) the 2008 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (9.60 secs) the 2003 Skoda Fabia 1.9 vRS 130bhp (9.60 secs) the or the 1993 Bentley Brooklands 4d (9.60 secs). This Fiat 130 3.2 V6 Coupe is also faster than the 2005 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (9.70 secs) the 1996 BMW 3 Series 318is 4d Saloon E46 (9.70 secs) the 1994 Peugeot 106 Rallye (9.70 secs) the and the 1984 Peugeot 604 GTi 2.8 V6 (9.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 130 and the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD

When talking about the performance of the Fiat 130 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.2 secs @ 79.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD (17.12 secs), the 1989 Audi 200 2.2T 20v Quattro (17.15 secs), and the 1998 BMW 7 Series 740i E38 Auto (17.16 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1971 version of the Fiat 130 3.2 V6 Coupe has a maximum speed of 123mph.

Top Speed of the 1971 130 equals the 2012 Peugeot 208 1.6 THP (134 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1971 Fiat 130 3.2 V6 Coupe then how about the 2012 Peugeot 208 1.6 THP (134 mph), the 2009 Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDi 200 GT (134 mph), or the 2008 Alfa-Romeo Mito 1.4 155 T-Jet Veloce (134 mph).

Related Links:

1971 130 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Fiat

Car Comparison