Performance Review: Alfa-Romeo 90 2.5 V6 Gold Cloverleaf - [1985]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Alfa-Romeo 90 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Alfa-Romeo 90 2.5 V6 Gold Cloverleaf is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1985. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S QV and the 1985 TVR 390 SE 3.9l V8.This particular Alfa-Romeo 90 has a 2492cc 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 90 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 90's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon 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 1170 kgs (2579 lbs) this makes the Alfa-Romeo 90 2.5 V6 Gold Cloverleaf in the same weight category as the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Alfa-Romeo 90 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 2492cc 12V V6 engine produces 154 bhp (114 kW) @ 5600 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 V6 throws out 155 lb-ft (210.1 Nm) @ 4000 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 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Alfa-Romeo 90 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1971 Ford Mustang 351 5.8 V8 Convertible (156.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Alfa-Romeo 90.

The Alfa-Romeo 90 has a Power to weight ratio of 131.6 bhp per ton and 132.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1985 90 competing with the 1971 Ford Mustang 351 5.8 V8 Convertible (156.6 bhp per ton) or the 2011 Infiniti FX 37 3.7 V6 (156.5 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 90 generating around 132.4 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 1962 Bentley S 3 (157.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2010 Volkswagen-VW Scirocco 2.0 TSI DSG (157.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.8 secs, this made the Alfa-Romeo 90 2.5 V6 Gold Cloverleaf as fast as the 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 (8.50 secs) the 2004 Land-Rover Discovery 3 4.4 V8 (8.50 secs) the 2000 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 150 (8.50 secs) the or the 1997 Peugeot 306 2.0 XSi (8.50 secs). This Alfa-Romeo 90 2.5 V6 Gold Cloverleaf is also faster than 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 and the 2003 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 FSI (8.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 90 and the 2009 Ford Fiesta ST185

When talking about the performance of the Alfa-Romeo 90 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.13 secs @ 84.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Ford Fiesta ST185 (16.06 secs), the 1989 Jaguar XJ R-S 6.0 V12 (16.06 secs), and the 2012 Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II Drop-Head Coupe (16.06 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1985 version of the Alfa-Romeo 90 2.5 V6 Gold Cloverleaf has a maximum speed of 126mph.

Top Speed of the 1985 90 equals the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1985 Alfa-Romeo 90 2.5 V6 Gold Cloverleaf then how about the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph), the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (137 mph), or the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (137 mph).

Related Links:

1985 90 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Alfa-Romeo

Car Comparison