Performance Review: Datsun 240 Z Coupe - [1969]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Datsun 240 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Datsun 240 Z Coupe is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1969. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS and the 1969 McLaren M6 GT 5.7 V8.This particular Datsun 240 has a 2393cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

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

The 240 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 240'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 1025 kgs (2259 lbs) this makes the Datsun 240 Z Coupe in the same weight category as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Datsun 240 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 2393cc 12V St6 engine produces 161 bhp (120 kW) @ 5600 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 146 lb-ft (197.9 Nm) @ 4400 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 Datsun 240 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1995 Maserati Quattroporte 2.8 V6 (182.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Datsun 240.

The Datsun 240 has a Power to weight ratio of 157.0 bhp per ton and 142.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1969 240 competing with the 1995 Maserati Quattroporte 2.8 V6 (182.0 bhp per ton) or the 1970 Plymouth AAR Cuda 340 V8 (181.9 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 Datsun 240 generating around 142.4 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 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (167.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (167.3 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 Datsun 240 Z Coupe as fast as the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (8.30 secs) the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (8.30 secs) the 2005 Peugeot 407 3.0 V6 Coupe (8.30 secs) the or the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi (8.30 secs). This Datsun 240 Z Coupe 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 240 and the 2001 Renault Clio 3.0 V6 255

When talking about the performance of the Datsun 240 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.26 secs @ 89.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2001 Renault Clio 3.0 V6 255 (15.19 secs), the 1957 Mercedes 300 SL II Roadster W198 (15.19 secs), and the 2005 Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 (15.19 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1969 version of the Datsun 240 Z Coupe has a maximum speed of 125mph.

Top Speed of the 1969 240 equals the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1969 Datsun 240 Z Coupe then how about the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph), the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (136 mph), or the 1992 Subaru Legacy 2.0 Turbo (136 mph).

Related Links:

1969 240 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Datsun

Car Comparison