Performance Review: Ford Cortina MkIII 2000GT - [1970]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Cortina Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Cortina MkIII 2000GT is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1970. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS and the 1970 Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8.This particular Ford Cortina has a 1993cc 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 1000 kgs (2204 lbs) this makes the Ford Cortina MkIII 2000GT in the same weight category as the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo 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 1993cc 8V St4 engine produces 98 bhp (73 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp) or the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 111 lb-ft (150.4 Nm) @ 3500 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 1978 Triumph TR8 3.5 V8 (123.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Cortina.

The Ford Cortina has a Power to weight ratio of 98.0 bhp per ton and 111.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1970 Cortina competing with the 1978 Triumph TR8 3.5 V8 (123.0 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0 V6 Diesel (122.9 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 111.0 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 1986 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 8v (136.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2001 Mini Cooper S 1.6 (135.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 11.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 11.5 secs, this made the Ford Cortina MkIII 2000GT as fast as the 2006 Peugeot 207 1.6 16v (11.10 secs) the 1968 Peugeot 504 1.8 8v (11.10 secs) the 2011 Aston-Martin Cygnet 1.3L Launch Edition (11.20 secs) the or the 1981 Mercedes 230 CE (11.20 secs). This Ford Cortina MkIII 2000GT is also faster than the 2011 Aston-Martin Cygnet 1.3L Launch Edition (11.20 secs) the 1981 Mercedes 230 CE (11.20 secs) the 1972 Chevrolet Impala Custom Hardtop 6.6L V8 (11.20 secs) the and the 1979 Daihatsu Charade 1.0 Turbo (11.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Cortina and the 2003 MG ZT 4.6 V8 260

When talking about the performance of the Ford Cortina on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.86 secs @ 76.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2003 MG ZT 4.6 V8 260 (17.78 secs), the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTI 2.0 Turbo (17.78 secs), and the 1992 BMW 7 Series 740i E32 (17.79 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1970 version of the Ford Cortina MkIII 2000GT has a maximum speed of 103mph.

Top Speed of the 1970 Cortina equals the 2005 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (114 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1970 Ford Cortina MkIII 2000GT then how about the 2005 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (114 mph), the 1995 Caterham Super 7 1.4 Supersport (114 mph), or the 1990 Mazda MX5 1.6 (114 mph).

Related Links:

1970 Cortina Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison