Performance Review: Fiat Strada-Ritmo Abarth 125 TC - [1981]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Fiat Strada-Ritmo Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Fiat Strada-Ritmo Abarth 125 TC is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1981. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V and the 1982 Lamborghini Countach LP500S.This particular Fiat Strada-Ritmo 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-Ritmo 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-Ritmo'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 980 kgs (2160 lbs) this makes the Fiat Strada-Ritmo Abarth 125 TC in the same weight category as the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 1995cc 16V St4 engine produces 123 bhp (91 kW) @ 5800 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 127 lb-ft (172.1 Nm) @ 3500 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-Ritmo you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (150.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Fiat Strada-Ritmo.

The Fiat Strada-Ritmo has a Power to weight ratio of 125.5 bhp per ton and 129.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1981 Strada-Ritmo competing with the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (150.5 bhp per ton) or the 1963 Maserati Quattroporte AM 107 4.1 V8 (150.4 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-Ritmo generating around 129.5 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 1963 Maserati Quattroporte AM 107 4.1 V8 (154.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1991 Audi Coupe S2 2.2T Quattro (154.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.5 secs, this made the Fiat Strada-Ritmo Abarth 125 TC as fast as the 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR (8.20 secs) the 2005 Land-Rover Range Rover 4.4 V8 (8.20 secs) the 2003 BMW X5 3.0d (8.20 secs) the or the 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (8.20 secs). This Fiat Strada-Ritmo Abarth 125 TC is also faster than the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (8.30 secs) the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (8.30 secs) the 2005 Peugeot 407 3.0 V6 Coupe (8.30 secs) the and the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi (8.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Strada-Ritmo and the 1987 Buick Regal GNX 3.8 V6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Fiat Strada-Ritmo on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.15 secs @ 84.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1987 Buick Regal GNX 3.8 V6 Turbo (16.09 secs), the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Clubman (16.09 secs), and the 2005 BMW 3 Series 330i M-Sport Manual E90 (16.09 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1981 version of the Fiat Strada-Ritmo Abarth 125 TC has a maximum speed of 118mph.

Top Speed of the 1981 Strada-Ritmo equals the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (129 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1981 Fiat Strada-Ritmo Abarth 125 TC then how about the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (129 mph), the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (129 mph), or the 2009 Ford Fiesta ST185 (129 mph).

Related Links:

1981 Strada-Ritmo Rivals List.

A Brief History of Fiat

Car Comparison