Performance Review: Fiat 1100 1.1L - [1953]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Fiat 1100 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Fiat 1100 1.1L is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1953. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1954 Jaguar D Type 3.4L and the 1953 Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 1900 Touring Coupe.This particular Fiat 1100 has a 1089cc 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 1100 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 1100'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 865 kgs (1906 lbs) this makes the Fiat 1100 1.1L in the same weight category as the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer or the give or take 50kg.

The Fiat 1100 shares the same bhp with the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (34 bhp)

In terms of power the 1089cc 8V St4 engine produces 36 bhp (26 kW) @ 4400 rpm similar to the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (34 bhp) or the 1980 Skoda 120 L 1200 (52 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 50 lb-ft (67.7 Nm) @ 2500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (41 lb-ft) or the 2005 Citroen C1 1.0 VTR 3dr (68 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Fiat 1100 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1958 Austin-Healey Sprite MK1 AN5 (64.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Fiat 1100.

The Fiat 1100 has a Power to weight ratio of 41.6 bhp per ton and 57.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1953 1100 competing with the 1958 Austin-Healey Sprite MK1 AN5 (64.1 bhp per ton) or the 1974 Skoda S110 R/T 426 7.0 V8 Hemi (61.9 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 Fiat 1100 generating around 57.8 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 1974 Alfa-Romeo Alfasud 1.2 Sprint Ti (79.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1961 Triumph Herald 1200 (79.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 32.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 33.8 secs, this made the Fiat 1100 1.1L as fast as the This Fiat 1100 1.1L is also faster than the

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 1100 and the 1991 Ford Thunderbird 4.9 V8

When talking about the performance of the Fiat 1100 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 23.85 secs @ 57.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1991 Ford Thunderbird 4.9 V8 (23.78 secs), the 2008 Audi A4 1.8T Avant (23.98 secs), and the 1947 Ferrari 125 S 1.5L V12 (24.01 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1953 version of the Fiat 1100 1.1L has a maximum speed of 76mph.

Top Speed of the 1953 1100 equals the 1980 Skoda 120 L 1200 (87 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1953 Fiat 1100 1.1L then how about the 1980 Skoda 120 L 1200 (87 mph), the 1952 Porsche 356 1.5l 2+2 (87 mph), or the 1974 Skoda S110 R/T 426 7.0 V8 Hemi (90 mph).

Related Links:

1953 1100 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Fiat

Car Comparison