Performance Review: Ford Escort 1.6 Twin Cam - [1968]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Escort Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Escort 1.6 Twin Cam is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1968. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1969 McLaren M6 GT 5.7 V8 and the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429.This particular Ford Escort 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 Escort 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 Escort'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 871 kgs (1920 lbs) this makes the Ford Escort 1.6 Twin Cam in the same weight category as the 2013 Alfa-Romeo 4C 1.8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 1558cc 8V St4 engine produces 110 bhp (82 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 145 lb-ft (196.5 Nm) @ 4500 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 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2007 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.8 20v Turbo (151.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Escort.

The Ford Escort has a Power to weight ratio of 126.2 bhp per ton and 166.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1968 Escort competing with the 2007 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.8 20v Turbo (151.2 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.8 20VT (151.2 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 Escort generating around 166.4 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 1992 Subaru Impreza WRX Type RA - Classic JDM (191.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R 5.0 V8 (191.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.2 secs, this made the Ford Escort 1.6 Twin Cam as fast as the 2001 Citroen C5 2.2 HDi 16v (9.90 secs) the 1997 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (9.90 secs) the 1980 Nissan Skyline Hardtop 2000 Turbo GT-E (9.90 secs) the or the 1979 Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 (9.90 secs). This Ford Escort 1.6 Twin Cam is also faster than the 1980 Renault 18 1.6 Turbo (10.00 secs) the 1976 Triumph 2500 TC (10.00 secs) the 1966 Pontiac Tempest Le Mans Sprint (10.00 secs) the and the 1950 Ferrari 195 Inter (10.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Escort and the 1989 Mercedes SL Class 500SL R129

When talking about the performance of the Ford Escort on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.47 secs @ 83.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1989 Mercedes SL Class 500SL R129 (16.40 secs), the 1977 Porsche 928 4.5 V8 (16.42 secs), and the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (16.42 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1968 version of the Ford Escort 1.6 Twin Cam has a maximum speed of 113mph.

Top Speed of the 1968 Escort equals the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (124 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1968 Ford Escort 1.6 Twin Cam then how about the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (124 mph), the 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 (124 mph), or the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (124 mph).

Related Links:

1968 Escort Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison