Performance Review: Peugeot 309 1.9 GTi 8V - [1986]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Peugeot 309 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Peugeot 309 1.9 GTi 8V is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1986. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1987 Porsche 959 Turbo and the 1987 Ferrari F40 2.9 V8.This particular Peugeot 309 has a 1905cc 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 309 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 309'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 985 kgs (2171 lbs) this makes the Peugeot 309 1.9 GTi 8V in the same weight category as the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Peugeot 309 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1905cc 8V St4 engine produces 130 bhp (96 kW) @ 6000 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 119 lb-ft (161.3 Nm) @ 4750 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 Peugeot 309 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo (156.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Peugeot 309.

The Peugeot 309 has a Power to weight ratio of 131.9 bhp per ton and 120.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1986 309 competing with the 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo (156.8 bhp per ton) or the 2001 BMW X5 4.6is V8 (156.8 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 Peugeot 309 generating around 120.8 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 2002 Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro (145.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 1996 Porsche Boxster 2.5 Roadster (145.7 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 Peugeot 309 1.9 GTi 8V as fast as the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (8.30 secs) the 2005 Peugeot 407 3.0 V6 Coupe (8.30 secs) the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (8.30 secs) the or the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi (8.30 secs). This Peugeot 309 1.9 GTi 8V 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 309 and the 2001 BMW X5 4.6is V8

When talking about the performance of the Peugeot 309 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.88 secs @ 86.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2001 BMW X5 4.6is V8 (15.81 secs), the 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe 6.7 V12 (15.82 secs), and the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GSR Ralliart Sportback SST (15.82 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1986 version of the Peugeot 309 1.9 GTi 8V has a maximum speed of 124mph.

Top Speed of the 1986 309 equals the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1986 Peugeot 309 1.9 GTi 8V then how about the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (135 mph).

Related Links:

1986 309 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Peugeot

Car Comparison