Performance Review: Fiat Barchetta 1.8 16V - [1995]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Fiat Barchetta Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Fiat Barchetta 1.8 16V is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1995. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1 4.7l V12 and the 1995 McLaren F1 LM 6.1 V12.This particular Fiat Barchetta has a 1747cc 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 Barchetta 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 Barchetta's Front Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1060 kgs (2336 lbs) this makes the Fiat Barchetta 1.8 16V in the same weight category as the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 1747cc 16V St4 engine produces 130 bhp (96 kW) @ 6300 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 117 lb-ft (158.6 Nm) @ 4300 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 Fiat Barchetta you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2013 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (147.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Fiat Barchetta.

The Fiat Barchetta has a Power to weight ratio of 122.6 bhp per ton and 110.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1995 Barchetta competing with the 2013 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (147.6 bhp per ton) or the 1954 Jaguar XK 140 SE (147.6 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 Barchetta generating around 110.3 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 2017 BMW X4 M40i 2.0 Turbo F26 (135.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 1984 Peugeot 205 T16 1.8 16v Turbo (135.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.0 secs, this made the Fiat Barchetta 1.8 16V as fast as the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (8.70 secs) the 2011 Renault Twingo 1.6 133 Renaultsport Cup (8.70 secs) the 2009 Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDi 200 GT (8.70 secs) the or the 2003 Lancia Thesis 3.2 V6 24v Comfortronic (8.70 secs). This Fiat Barchetta 1.8 16V is also faster than the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Zafira Tourer CDTi BiTurbo (8.80 secs) the the 2002 Toyota Camry 3.0 V6 (8.80 secs) the and the 2000 Mitsubishi FTO 2.0 GPX (8.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Barchetta and the 2007 Volvo C30 2.5T 230bhp R Design

When talking about the performance of the Fiat Barchetta on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.25 secs @ 84.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 Volvo C30 2.5T 230bhp R Design (16.17 secs), the 1998 Bentley Continental T 6.8 V8 Turbo (16.17 secs), and the 1999 Audi TT 1.8T 225 (16.18 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1995 version of the Fiat Barchetta 1.8 16V has a maximum speed of 124mph.

Top Speed of the 1995 Barchetta equals the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1995 Fiat Barchetta 1.8 16V then how about the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (135 mph).

Related Links:

1995 Barchetta Rivals List.

A Brief History of Fiat

Car Comparison