Performance Review: Ford Granada 2.1 Diesel - [1977]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Granada Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Granada 2.1 Diesel is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1977. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo and the 1978 BMW M1 3.5 2d Manual.This particular Ford Granada has a 2112cc Naturally Aspirated Diesel powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Diesel St4's includes the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d XDrive

The Granada shares its Diesel St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d XDrive and the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Granada'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 1275 kgs (2810 lbs) this makes the Ford Granada 2.1 Diesel in the same weight category as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 2112cc 8V St4 engine produces 63 bhp (46 kW) @ 4500 rpm similar to the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp) or the 2005 Citroen C1 1.0 VTR 3dr (67 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 89 lb-ft (120.6 Nm) @ 2000 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 Granada you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1953 Ford F-100 4.5 V8 (73.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Granada.

The Ford Granada has a Power to weight ratio of 49.4 bhp per ton and 69.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1977 Granada competing with the 1953 Ford F-100 4.5 V8 (73.6 bhp per ton) or the 1977 Austin Allegro 2 Super De Luxe 1500 (73.5 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 Granada generating around 69.8 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 1993 Rover 200 216 GTi Coupe (94.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 1978 Ford Mustang 2 Cobra 140 2.3 (94.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 26.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 27.0 secs, this made the Ford Granada 2.1 Diesel as fast as the 1961 Triumph Herald 1200 (28.60 secs) the 1961 Renault 4 L Export (30.30 secs) the 1953 Fiat 1100 1.1L (32.70 secs) the This Ford Granada 2.1 Diesel is also faster than the 1961 Triumph Herald 1200 (28.60 secs) the 1961 Renault 4 L Export (30.30 secs) the 1953 Fiat 1100 1.1L (32.70 secs) the

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Granada and the 1997 Ford Puma 1.7 16V

When talking about the performance of the Ford Granada on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 22.34 secs @ 61.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1997 Ford Puma 1.7 16V (22.26 secs), the 1970 Citroen SM 2.7L V6 (22.26 secs), and the 1968 Ford Escort 1.6 Twin Cam (22.33 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1977 version of the Ford Granada 2.1 Diesel has a maximum speed of 78mph.

Top Speed of the 1977 Granada equals the 1974 Skoda S110 R/T 426 7.0 V8 Hemi (90 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1977 Ford Granada 2.1 Diesel then how about the 1974 Skoda S110 R/T 426 7.0 V8 Hemi (90 mph), the 1967 Vauxhall-Opel Viva Brabham 1.2 8v (90 mph), or the 1964 Austin-Healey Sprite MKIII AN8 (90 mph).

Related Links:

1977 Granada Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison