Performance Review: Ford Cortina Mk4 1600 GL - [1976]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Cortina Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Cortina Mk4 1600 GL is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1976. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo and the 1977 Lamborghini Countach LP400S.This particular Ford Cortina has a 1593cc 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 Cortina 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 Cortina's Front Wheel Drive, Saloon 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 1035 kgs (2281 lbs) this makes the Ford Cortina Mk4 1600 GL in the same weight category as the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Cortina shares the same bhp with the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp)

In terms of power the 1593cc 8V St4 engine produces 73 bhp (54 kW) @ 5300 rpm similar to the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (98 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 86 lb-ft (116.6 Nm) @ 2700 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1950 Jaguar Mark VII 3.4L (95.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Cortina.

The Ford Cortina has a Power to weight ratio of 70.5 bhp per ton and 83.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1976 Cortina competing with the 1950 Jaguar Mark VII 3.4L (95.4 bhp per ton) or the 1976 Ford Mustang Cobra 2 302 4.9 V8 (95.3 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 Cortina generating around 83.0 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 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (107.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (107.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 14.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 14.8 secs, this made the Ford Cortina Mk4 1600 GL as fast as the 1967 Vauxhall-Opel Viva Brabham 1.2 8v (14.40 secs) the 1951 Mercedes 300 S Roadster (14.50 secs) the 1979 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade 4.2L (15.00 secs) the or the 1962 Rover P5 MkII/III (15.00 secs). This Ford Cortina Mk4 1600 GL is also faster than the 1967 Vauxhall-Opel Viva Brabham 1.2 8v (14.40 secs) the 1951 Mercedes 300 S Roadster (14.50 secs) the 1979 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade 4.2L (15.00 secs) the and the 1962 Rover P5 MkII/III (15.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Cortina and the 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 454 Coupe 4 Speed 2nd Gen

When talking about the performance of the Ford Cortina on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 19.55 secs @ 70.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 454 Coupe 4 Speed 2nd Gen (19.47 secs), the 1986 BMW 3 Series 325i Sport Manual E30 (19.49 secs), and the 1986 Saab 9000 2.0 Turbo (19.49 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1976 version of the Ford Cortina Mk4 1600 GL has a maximum speed of 94mph.

Top Speed of the 1976 Cortina equals the 1972 Chevrolet Impala Custom Hardtop 6.6L V8 (105 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1976 Ford Cortina Mk4 1600 GL then how about the 1972 Chevrolet Impala Custom Hardtop 6.6L V8 (105 mph), the 1970 Vauxhall-Opel Manta Rallye 1.9 8v (105 mph), or the 1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS 454 LS6 (105 mph).

Related Links:

1976 Cortina Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison