Performance Review: Alfa-Romeo 1900C 1.9L Coupe - [1952]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Alfa-Romeo 1900C Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Alfa-Romeo 1900C 1.9L Coupe 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 Alfa-Romeo 1900C has a 1884cc 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 1900C 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 1900C'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 1000 kgs (2204 lbs) this makes the Alfa-Romeo 1900C 1.9L Coupe in the same weight category as the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Alfa-Romeo 1900C shares the same bhp with the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp)

In terms of power the 1884cc 8V St4 engine produces 99 bhp (73 kW) @ 5500 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 St4 throws out 104 lb-ft (141.0 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 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 Alfa-Romeo 1900C you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (123.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Alfa-Romeo 1900C.

The Alfa-Romeo 1900C has a Power to weight ratio of 99.0 bhp per ton and 104.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1952 1900C competing with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (123.7 bhp per ton) or the 1970 Mercedes SL Class 280SL W113 (123.5 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 Alfa-Romeo 1900C generating around 104.0 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 2004 Audi A4 1.8T Sport (128.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais HO Quad 4 (128.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 12.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 12.4 secs, this made the Alfa-Romeo 1900C 1.9L Coupe as fast as the 1978 Ford Mustang 2 Cobra 140 2.3 (12.00 secs) the 1977 Ford Thunderbird 400 6.6L V8 7th Gen (12.00 secs) the 1968 Ford Cortina MkII GT (12.00 secs) the or the 1965 Bentley T 6.2 V8 (12.00 secs). This Alfa-Romeo 1900C 1.9L Coupe is also faster than the 1967 Rover P5 B 3.5 V8 Coupe (12.10 secs) the 1967 Rover P5 B 3.5 V8 (12.10 secs) the 1967 Mercedes 200 W114 Sedan Serie 1 (12.10 secs) the and the 1970 Vauxhall-Opel Manta Rallye 1.9 8v (12.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 1900C and the 1996 Lotus Elise S1

When talking about the performance of the Alfa-Romeo 1900C on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.81 secs @ 76.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1996 Lotus Elise S1 (17.73 secs), the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Countrman (17.73 secs), and the 1993 Renault Clio 2.0 16V Williams (17.74 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1952 version of the Alfa-Romeo 1900C 1.9L Coupe has a maximum speed of 106mph.

Top Speed of the 1952 1900C equals the 2007 Mazda 2 1.5 Sport (117 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1952 Alfa-Romeo 1900C 1.9L Coupe then how about the 2007 Mazda 2 1.5 Sport (117 mph), the 1983 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GTE (117 mph), or the 1982 Ford Granada 2.8i V6 (117 mph).

Related Links:

1952 1900C Rivals List.

A Brief History of Alfa-Romeo

Car Comparison