This edition of the Ford Fiesta XR2i is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1989. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10.This particular Ford Fiesta has a 1597cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.
The Fiesta 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 Fiesta's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.
Weighing in at 918 kgs (2023 lbs) this makes the Ford Fiesta XR2i in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.
The Ford Fiesta shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)
In terms of power the 1597cc 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 102 lb-ft (138.2 Nm) @ 2800 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 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).
If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Fiesta you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.
The 1989 Mercedes 190 Series E 2.5 16 (144.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Fiesta.
The Ford Fiesta has a Power to weight ratio of 119.8 bhp per ton and 111.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1989 Fiesta competing with the 1989 Mercedes 190 Series E 2.5 16 (144.8 bhp per ton) or the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais HO Quad 4 (144.8 bhp per ton).
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 Fiesta generating around 111.1 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 1984 MG Maestro 2.0 EFi (136.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 1981 Ford Capri 2.8i (136.1 lb-ft per ton).
With a 0-60mph time of 8.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.2 secs, this made the Ford Fiesta XR2i as fast as the 2008 Audi A4 1.8T Avant (8.90 secs) the 2005 Suzuki Swift 1.6 VVT Sport (8.90 secs) the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Omega 3.2 V6 Automatic (8.90 secs) the or the 1990 Volvo 940 2.3 Turbo (8.90 secs). This Ford Fiesta XR2i is also faster than the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (9.00 secs) the 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (9.00 secs) the 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi (9.00 secs) the and the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (9.00 secs).
When talking about the performance of the Ford Fiesta on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.43 secs @ 83.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1999 Peugeot 206 2.0 GTi 180 (16.35 secs), the 1962 Buick Riviera 6.6 V8 (16.35 secs), and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (16.35 secs).
Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1989 version of the Ford Fiesta XR2i has a maximum speed of 118mph.
If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1989 Ford Fiesta XR2i then how about the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (129 mph), the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (129 mph), or the 2009 Ford Fiesta ST185 (129 mph).
Chevrolet Corvette C3 ZR2 Stingray 7.4 V8 Convertible
Engine: Naturally Aspirated Petrol | 7446cc 16v V8
Top Speed: 152 mph
0-60mph: 5.30 seconds
Maserati Ghibli S Q4 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo
Engine: Twin Turbo Petrol | 2979cc 24v V6
Top Speed: 286.4 kph
0-100kph: 4.8 seconds