Performance Review: Ford Mustang 2 King Cobra - [1978]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Mustang Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Mustang 2 King Cobra is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1978. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1979 DeTomaso Pantera GT5 S 5.8 V8 and the 1978 BMW M1 3.5 2d Manual.This particular Ford Mustang has a 4942cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Mustang shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Mustang's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe 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 1359 kgs (2996 lbs) this makes the Ford Mustang 2 King Cobra in the same weight category as the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 4942cc 16V V8 engine produces 133 bhp (99 kW) @ 3600 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 V8 throws out 243 lb-ft (329.4 Nm) @ 1600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (267 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1964 Mercedes 600 W-100 (122.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Mustang.

The Ford Mustang has a Power to weight ratio of 97.8 bhp per ton and 178.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1978 Mustang competing with the 1964 Mercedes 600 W-100 (122.8 bhp per ton) or the 2007 Fiat Bravo 1.9 Sport Multijet (122.7 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 Mustang generating around 178.8 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 1999 Ford Mustang 4th Gen SVT Cobra Coupe (203.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2014 Porsche Boxster GTS PDK (203.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.1 secs, this made the Ford Mustang 2 King Cobra as fast as the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (9.80 secs) the 1980 Ford Mustang M81 Mclaren 2.3 Turbo (9.80 secs) the 1979 Ford Mustang Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Turbo (9.80 secs) the or the 1979 Ford Mustang Cobra 2.3 V6 Turbo (9.80 secs). This Ford Mustang 2 King Cobra is also faster than 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 and the 1979 Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 (9.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mustang and the 1996 Nissan 200SX S14a 2.0T

When talking about the performance of the Ford Mustang on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.76 secs @ 77.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1996 Nissan 200SX S14a 2.0T (17.68 secs), the 1965 Ford Falcon 2nd Gen Sprint Hardtop 289 V8 4-Speed (17.68 secs), and the 1987 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 Convertible (17.68 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1978 version of the Ford Mustang 2 King Cobra has a maximum speed of 132mph.

Top Speed of the 1978 Mustang equals the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (143 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1978 Ford Mustang 2 King Cobra then how about the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (143 mph), the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (143 mph), or the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (143 mph).

Related Links:

1978 Mustang Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison