Performance Review: Ford Puma 1.7 16V - [1997]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Puma Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Puma 1.7 16V is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1997. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1997 McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12.This particular Ford Puma has a 1679cc 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 Puma 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 Puma's Front Wheel Drive, Coupe 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 1041 kgs (2295 lbs) this makes the Ford Puma 1.7 16V in the same weight category as the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 1679cc 16V St4 engine produces 123 bhp (91 kW) @ 6300 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 116 lb-ft (157.2 Nm) @ 4500 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 Ford Puma you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1986 Aston-Martin Lagonda Series 3 5.3L V8 (143.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Puma.

The Ford Puma has a Power to weight ratio of 118.1 bhp per ton and 111.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1997 Puma competing with the 1986 Aston-Martin Lagonda Series 3 5.3L V8 (143.1 bhp per ton) or the 1988 Volkswagen-VW Jetta GTi 1.8 16v (143.1 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 Ford Puma generating around 111.4 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 1990 Alfa-Romeo 164 3.0 V6 Cloverleaf (136.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 1978 Triumph TR8 3.5 V8 (136.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.9 secs, this made the Ford Puma 1.7 16V as fast as the 2012 Jaguar XJ V6 (8.60 secs) the 2006 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.6 TDV8 (8.60 secs) the 2004 Audi A4 1.8T Sport (8.60 secs) the or the 2003 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 FSI (8.60 secs). This Ford Puma 1.7 16V is also faster than the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (8.70 secs) the 2011 Renault Twingo 1.6 133 Renaultsport Cup (8.70 secs) the 2009 Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDi 200 GT (8.70 secs) the and the 2003 Lancia Thesis 3.2 V6 24v Comfortronic (8.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Puma and the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Ford Puma on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.46 secs @ 83.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (16.38 secs), the 2017 Dodge Charger SXT AWD 3.7 V6 (16.38 secs), and the 2001 Jaguar X Type 3.0 V6 Sport (16.39 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1997 version of the Ford Puma 1.7 16V has a maximum speed of 122mph.

Top Speed of the 1997 Puma equals the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (133 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1997 Ford Puma 1.7 16V then how about the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (133 mph), the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (133 mph), or the 2009 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (133 mph).

Related Links:

1997 Puma Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison