Performance Review: Audi 80 GT 1.8 - [1975]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi 80 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi 80 GT 1.8 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1975. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1976 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 and the 1975 Lotus Esprit S1 2.0.This particular Audi 80 has a 1781cc 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 80 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 80'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 935 kgs (2061 lbs) this makes the Audi 80 GT 1.8 in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi 80 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1781cc 8V St4 engine produces 112 bhp (83 kW) @ 5800 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 118 lb-ft (159.9 Nm) @ 3500 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 Audi 80 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1947 Ferrari 159 S 1.9L V12 (144.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi 80.

The Audi 80 has a Power to weight ratio of 119.7 bhp per ton and 126.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1975 80 competing with the 1947 Ferrari 159 S 1.9L V12 (144.7 bhp per ton) or the 1988 Toyota Supra 3.0 Turbo (144.7 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 Audi 80 generating around 126.2 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 1955 Aston-Martin 2/4 MK II (151.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2008 Seat Leon Linea R 2.0 TSI FR DSG (151.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.2 secs, this made the Audi 80 GT 1.8 as fast as the 2008 Audi A4 1.8T Avant (8.90 secs) the 2005 Suzuki Swift 1.6 VVT Sport (8.90 secs) the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Omega 3.2 V6 Automatic (8.90 secs) the or the 1990 Alfa-Romeo 33 1.7 Boxer Cloverleaf (8.90 secs). This Audi 80 GT 1.8 is also faster than the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (9.00 secs) the 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (9.00 secs) the 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi (9.00 secs) the and the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (9.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 80 and the 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Audi 80 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.73 secs @ 81.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo (16.67 secs), the 2002 Toyota Corolla 1.8 VVTL-I T SPORT (16.67 secs), and the 2000 Audi A4 3.0 V6 Quattro (16.68 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1975 version of the Audi 80 GT 1.8 has a maximum speed of 116mph.

Top Speed of the 1975 80 equals the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (127 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1975 Audi 80 GT 1.8 then how about the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (127 mph), the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (127 mph), or the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer (127 mph).

Related Links:

1975 80 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison