Performance Review: Fiat Strada Abarth 130 TC - [1984]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Fiat Strada Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Fiat Strada Abarth 130 TC is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1984. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S QV and the 1984 Audi Quattro Sport 2.2 T.This particular Fiat Strada has a 1995cc 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 Strada 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 Strada's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback 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 950 kgs (2094 lbs) this makes the Fiat Strada Abarth 130 TC in the same weight category as the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 1995cc 8V St4 engine produces 128 bhp (95 kW) @ 5900 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 130 lb-ft (176.2 Nm) @ 3600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (148 lb-ft) or the 2013 Caterham 7 485 2.0L (152 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1999 BMW 7 Series 750i E38 (159.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Fiat Strada.

The Fiat Strada has a Power to weight ratio of 134.7 bhp per ton and 136.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1984 Strada competing with the 1999 BMW 7 Series 750i E38 (159.7 bhp per ton) or the 1967 Cadillac Eldorado 7.0l V8 Hardtop Coupe (159.7 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 Fiat Strada generating around 136.8 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 2016 Renault Clio RS Trophy 220 1.6 Turbo (161.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (161.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.2 secs, this made the Fiat Strada Abarth 130 TC as fast as the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (7.90 secs) the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TDI (7.90 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps Sportshift (7.90 secs) the or the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (7.90 secs). This Fiat Strada Abarth 130 TC is also faster than the 2011 Citroen DS5 1.6 THP 200 (8.00 secs) the 2009 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (8.00 secs) the 2008 Alfa-Romeo Mito 1.4 155 T-Jet Veloce (8.00 secs) the and the 2007 Fiat Bravo 1.9 Sport Multijet (8.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Strada and the 1991 Alpine A610 3.0 V6

When talking about the performance of the Fiat Strada on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.79 secs @ 86.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1991 Alpine A610 3.0 V6 (15.71 secs), the 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT 3.8 V6 (15.72 secs), and the 2003 Alfa-Romeo GTV 3.2 V6 24v (15.72 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1984 version of the Fiat Strada Abarth 130 TC has a maximum speed of 0mph.

Top Speed of the 1984 Strada equals the 1953 Ford F-100 4.5 V8 (65 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1984 Fiat Strada Abarth 130 TC then how about the 1953 Ford F-100 4.5 V8 (65 mph), the 1992 Hummer H1 6.2 V8 4 Door (68 mph), or the 1961 Renault 4 L Export (70 mph).

Related Links:

1984 Strada Rivals List.

A Brief History of Fiat

Car Comparison