Performance Review: Ford Granada 3.0 V6 - [1976]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Granada Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Granada 3.0 V6 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1976. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo and the 1977 Lamborghini Countach LP400S.This particular Ford Granada has a 2994cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The Granada shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. 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 1372 kgs (3024 lbs) this makes the Ford Granada 3.0 V6 in the same weight category as the 2022 Koenigsegg CC850 4.9 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 2994cc 12V V6 engine produces 138 bhp (102 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 192 lb-ft (260.3 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 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 1988 Porsche 944 2.7 (125.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Granada.

The Ford Granada has a Power to weight ratio of 100.5 bhp per ton and 139.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1976 Granada competing with the 1988 Porsche 944 2.7 (125.5 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi (125.5 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 139.9 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 2003 Chrysler Crossfire 3.2 V6 2d (164.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1992 BMW 7 Series 740i E32 (164.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.3 secs, this made the Ford Granada 3.0 V6 as fast as 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 or the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (9.00 secs). This Ford Granada 3.0 V6 is also faster than the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (9.10 secs) the 1999 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (9.10 secs) the 1990 Mazda MX5 1.6 (9.10 secs) the and the 1983 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GTE (9.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Granada and the 1968 Ferrari 206 Dino GT

When talking about the performance of the Ford Granada on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.6 secs @ 77.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1968 Ferrari 206 Dino GT (17.52 secs), the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (17.53 secs), and the 1995 Fiat Coupe 2.0 16V Turbo (17.54 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1976 version of the Ford Granada 3.0 V6 has a maximum speed of 111mph.

Top Speed of the 1976 Granada equals the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (122 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1976 Ford Granada 3.0 V6 then how about the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (122 mph), the 1997 Ford Puma 1.7 16V (122 mph), or the 1985 Ford Escort Mk4 RS Turbo (122 mph).

Related Links:

1976 Granada Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison