Performance Review: Ferrari 250 Europa - [1954]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ferrari 250 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ferrari 250 Europa is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1954. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1954 Jaguar D Type 3.4L and the 1955 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 1.This particular Ferrari 250 has a 2963cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The 250 shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 250'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 1250 kgs (2755 lbs) this makes the Ferrari 250 Europa in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari 250 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp)

In terms of power the 2963cc 24V V12 engine produces 200 bhp (149 kW) @ 6300 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 175 lb-ft (237.2 Nm) @ 5000 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 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ferrari 250 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2001 Seat Ibiza 1.8 Cupra R 20vt (184.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari 250.

The Ferrari 250 has a Power to weight ratio of 160.0 bhp per ton and 140.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1954 250 competing with the 2001 Seat Ibiza 1.8 Cupra R 20vt (184.9 bhp per ton) or the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (184.7 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 Ferrari 250 generating around 140.0 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 1976 Ferrari 400 GTS (165.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Audi TT 3.2 V6 Quattro S-Line (165.0 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 Ferrari 250 Europa 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 Volvo 940 2.3 Turbo (8.90 secs). This Ferrari 250 Europa 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 250 and the 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 2

When talking about the performance of the Ferrari 250 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.1 secs @ 90.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 (15.03 secs), the 1988 BMW 3 Series M3 Evolution E30 (15.04 secs), and the 2003 Nissan 350Z Coupe (15.04 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1954 version of the Ferrari 250 Europa has a maximum speed of 135mph.

Top Speed of the 1954 250 equals the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (146 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1954 Ferrari 250 Europa then how about the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (146 mph), the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (146 mph), or the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (146 mph).

Related Links:

1954 250 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ferrari

Car Comparison