Performance Review: Ford Capri 3000S X Pack - [1978]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Capri Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Capri 3000S X Pack is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1978. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1979 DeTomaso Pantera GT5 S 5.8 V8 and the 1978 BMW M1 3.5 2d Manual.This particular Ford Capri has a 2994cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The Capri shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Capri'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 1170 kgs (2579 lbs) this makes the Ford Capri 3000S X Pack in the same weight category as the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 2994cc 12V V6 engine produces 175 bhp (130 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 194 lb-ft (263.0 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 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 Ford Capri you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2015 BMW 3 Series 335d xDrive LCI Touring F31 (174.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Capri.

The Ford Capri has a Power to weight ratio of 149.5 bhp per ton and 165.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1978 Capri competing with the 2015 BMW 3 Series 335d xDrive LCI Touring F31 (174.5 bhp per ton) or the 1989 Jaguar XJ R-S 6.0 V12 (174.4 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 Ford Capri generating around 165.8 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 2002 BMW 5 Series 540i M-Sport E39 (190.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (190.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.7 secs, this made the Ford Capri 3000S X Pack as fast as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (7.50 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (7.50 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG (7.50 secs) the or the 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Premium (7.50 secs). This Ford Capri 3000S X Pack is also faster than the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (7.60 secs) the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the and the 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 GTi (7.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Capri and the 2000 Mitsubishi FTO 2.0 GPX

When talking about the performance of the Ford Capri on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.46 secs @ 88.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2000 Mitsubishi FTO 2.0 GPX (15.39 secs), the 1968 Alpine A110 1300 (15.40 secs), and the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (15.40 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1978 version of the Ford Capri 3000S X Pack has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 1978 Capri equals the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1978 Ford Capri 3000S X Pack then how about the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph), the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (141 mph), or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (141 mph).

Related Links:

1978 Capri Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison