Performance Review: Ford Capri Mk1 RS2600 - [1971]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Capri Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Capri Mk1 RS2600 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1971. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1971 Chevrolet Corvette C3 ZR2 Stingray 7.4 V8 Convertible and the 1971 Ford Mustang 351 5.8 V8 Convertible.This particular Ford Capri has a 2637cc 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 1060 kgs (2336 lbs) this makes the Ford Capri Mk1 RS2600 in the same weight category as the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 2637cc 12V V6 engine produces 148 bhp (110 kW) @ 5600 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 V6 throws out 165 lb-ft (223.7 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 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 2016 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Cabriolet (164.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Capri.

The Ford Capri has a Power to weight ratio of 139.6 bhp per ton and 155.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1971 Capri competing with the 2016 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Cabriolet (164.6 bhp per ton) or the 1983 Ford Capri Tickford Turbo (164.6 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 Ford Capri generating around 155.6 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 2006 Audi A8 4.2 Quattro (180.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible 6.4L V8 3rd Gen (180.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.5 secs, this made the Ford Capri Mk1 RS2600 as fast as the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (7.30 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (7.30 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (7.30 secs) the or the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD DSG 2.0 Turbo Diesel (7.30 secs). This Ford Capri Mk1 RS2600 is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue (7.40 secs) the 2013 KIA Pro Ceed GT 1.6 Turbo (7.40 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper S Paceman (7.40 secs) the and the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (7.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Capri and the 2007 Mazda 6 MPS 2.3T

When talking about the performance of the Ford Capri on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.85 secs @ 86.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 Mazda 6 MPS 2.3T (15.78 secs), the 2011 Lexus GS 350 (15.79 secs), and the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 V8 1st Gen (15.80 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1971 version of the Ford Capri Mk1 RS2600 has a maximum speed of 126mph.

Top Speed of the 1971 Capri equals the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1971 Ford Capri Mk1 RS2600 then how about the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph), the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (137 mph), or the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (137 mph).

Related Links:

1971 Capri Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison