Performance Review: Frazer-Nash Targa Florio 2.0 Cabriolet - [1952]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Frazer-Nash Targa Florio Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Frazer-Nash Targa Florio 2.0 Cabriolet is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1952. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1952 Ferrari 340 Mexico and the 1953 Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 1900 Touring Coupe.This particular Frazer-Nash Targa Florio has a 1971cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

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

The Targa Florio 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 Targa Florio's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet 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 1067 kgs (2352 lbs) this makes the Frazer-Nash Targa Florio 2.0 Cabriolet in the same weight category as the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Frazer-Nash Targa Florio shares the same bhp with the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp)

In terms of power the 1971cc 12V St6 engine produces 100 bhp (74 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp) or the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 118 lb-ft (159.9 Nm) @ 3750 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 Frazer-Nash Targa Florio you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2008 Abarth 500 1.4 Turbo (118.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Frazer-Nash Targa Florio.

The Frazer-Nash Targa Florio has a Power to weight ratio of 93.7 bhp per ton and 110.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1952 Targa Florio competing with the 2008 Abarth 500 1.4 Turbo (118.7 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Audi A4 1.8T Sport (118.5 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 Frazer-Nash Targa Florio generating around 110.5 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 Maserati Merak 3.0 V6 (135.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2003 Peugeot 206 RC 2.0 16v (135.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 10.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.7 secs, this made the Frazer-Nash Targa Florio 2.0 Cabriolet as fast as the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (10.40 secs) the 2007 Mazda 2 1.5 Sport (10.40 secs) the 1977 Bentley T 2 6.8 V8 (10.40 secs) the or the 1965 BMW 2000 CS (10.40 secs). This Frazer-Nash Targa Florio 2.0 Cabriolet is also faster than the 1993 Toyota T100 3.0 V6 (10.50 secs) the 1975 Chevrolet Vega Cosworth Twin Cam (10.50 secs) the 1971 Chevrolet Vega 2300 GT 4 Speed (10.50 secs) the and the 1963 Mercedes SL Class 230SL W113 (10.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Targa Florio and the 1967 Bristol 410 5.2 V8

When talking about the performance of the Frazer-Nash Targa Florio on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 18.1 secs @ 75.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1967 Bristol 410 5.2 V8 (18.02 secs), the 1999 Ford Mondeo ST200 (18.02 secs), and the 2002 Ford Mondeo ST220 (18.03 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1952 version of the Frazer-Nash Targa Florio 2.0 Cabriolet has a maximum speed of 114mph.

Top Speed of the 1952 Targa Florio equals the 2011 Fisker Karma Hybrid (125 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1952 Frazer-Nash Targa Florio 2.0 Cabriolet then how about the 2011 Fisker Karma Hybrid (125 mph), the 2011 Renault Twingo 1.6 133 Renaultsport Cup (125 mph), or the 2009 Tesla Roadster Electric 248bhp (125 mph).

Related Links:

1952 Targa Florio Rivals List.

A Brief History of Frazer-Nash

Car Comparison