Performance Review: Ferrari 125 S 1.5L V12 - [1947]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ferrari 125 S Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ferrari 125 S 1.5L V12 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1947. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1948 Jaguar XK 120 SE FHC and the 1948 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster.This particular Ferrari 125 S has a 1496cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The 125 S shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 125 S'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 850 kgs (1873 lbs) this makes the Ferrari 125 S 1.5L V12 in the same weight category as the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer or the give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari 125 S shares the same bhp with the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp)

In terms of power the 1496cc 24V V12 engine produces 100 bhp (74 kW) @ 7000 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 V12 throws out 92 lb-ft (124.7 Nm) @ 5000 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 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ferrari 125 S you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Insignia 2.0 SIDI Turbo 4x4 (142.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari 125 S.

The Ferrari 125 S has a Power to weight ratio of 117.6 bhp per ton and 108.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1947 125 S competing with the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Insignia 2.0 SIDI Turbo 4x4 (142.5 bhp per ton) or the 2002 Ford Mondeo ST220 (142.5 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 Ferrari 125 S generating around 108.2 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 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (133.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (133.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 10.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 11.2 secs, this made the Ferrari 125 S 1.5L V12 as fast as the 2002 Ford KA Street KA (10.80 secs) the 1984 Talbot Samba Rallye 1.2 (10.80 secs) the 1963 Ford Falcon 1st Gen Sports Hardtop 260 V8 4-Speed (10.80 secs) the or the 1975 Rolls-Royce Camargue 6.8 V8 (10.90 secs). This Ferrari 125 S 1.5L V12 is also faster than the 1975 Rolls-Royce Camargue 6.8 V8 (10.90 secs) the 1961 Triumph TR4 2.1L (10.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Ranger Double Cab High Rider 3.2 TDCI (11.00 secs) the and the 2011 Dacia Sandero 1.6 16v (11.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 125 S and the 2016 BMW Z4 sDrive28i

When talking about the performance of the Ferrari 125 S on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.88 secs @ 81.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2016 BMW Z4 sDrive28i (16.81 secs), the 2010 Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari 1.4 Turbo (16.81 secs), and the 1985 Volkswagen-VW Polo GT G40 1.3 Supercharged (16.82 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1947 version of the Ferrari 125 S 1.5L V12 has a maximum speed of 106mph.

Top Speed of the 1947 125 S 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 1947 Ferrari 125 S 1.5L V12 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:

1947 125 S Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ferrari

Car Comparison