Performance Review: Ford Cortina MkI Lotus Type 28 - [1963]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Cortina Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Cortina MkI Lotus Type 28 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1963. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1964 Jaguar XJ 13 5.0 V12 and the 1963 Ferrari 275 GTB 3.3 V12.This particular Ford Cortina has a 1558cc 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 Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon 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 775 kgs (1708 lbs) this makes the Ford Cortina MkI Lotus Type 28 in the same weight category as the 2011 Ginetta G40 R 2.0L or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Cortina shares the same bhp with the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp)

In terms of power the 1558cc 8V St4 engine produces 106 bhp (79 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp) or the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (120 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 108 lb-ft (146.4 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 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 1961 Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 (161.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Cortina.

The Ford Cortina has a Power to weight ratio of 136.7 bhp per ton and 139.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1963 Cortina competing with the 1961 Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 (161.7 bhp per ton) or the 1989 Lotus Elan SE (161.4 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 Cortina generating around 139.3 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 Nissan 350Z Roadster 300bhp (164.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2002 Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe (164.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.9 secs, this made the Ford Cortina MkI Lotus Type 28 as fast as the 2012 Jaguar XJ V6 (8.60 secs) the 2006 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.6 TDV8 (8.60 secs) the 2004 Audi A4 1.8T Sport (8.60 secs) the or the 2003 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 FSI (8.60 secs). This Ford Cortina MkI Lotus Type 28 is also faster than the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (8.70 secs) the 2011 Renault Twingo 1.6 133 Renaultsport Cup (8.70 secs) the 2009 Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDi 200 GT (8.70 secs) the and the 2003 Lancia Thesis 3.2 V6 24v Comfortronic (8.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Cortina and the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray ZR-1

When talking about the performance of the Ford Cortina on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.09 secs @ 85.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray ZR-1 (16.02 secs), the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (16.02 secs), and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (16.03 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1963 version of the Ford Cortina MkI Lotus Type 28 has a maximum speed of 104mph.

Top Speed of the 1963 Cortina equals the 2011 Morgan 3 Wheeler 2.0l V-Twin (115 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1963 Ford Cortina MkI Lotus Type 28 then how about the 2011 Morgan 3 Wheeler 2.0l V-Twin (115 mph), the 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (115 mph), or the 1999 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (115 mph).

Related Links:

1963 Cortina Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison