Performance Review: Ford Mustang Cobra 2 302 4.9 V8 - [1976]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Mustang Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Mustang Cobra 2 302 4.9 V8 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 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 1405 kgs (3097 lbs) this makes the Ford Mustang Cobra 2 302 4.9 V8 in the same weight category as the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto 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 134 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 248 lb-ft (336.2 Nm) @ 1800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 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 1977 Triumph Stag 3.0 V8 Convertible Mk2 (120.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Mustang.

The Ford Mustang has a Power to weight ratio of 95.3 bhp per ton and 176.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1976 Mustang competing with the 1977 Triumph Stag 3.0 V8 Convertible Mk2 (120.3 bhp per ton) or the 1991 Audi 80 2.8 E V6 Quattro (120.2 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 Mustang generating around 176.5 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 2012 Porsche Boxster S 3.4L (201.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2000 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI GSR (201.4 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 Cobra 2 302 4.9 V8 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 Volvo 242 GT 2.3 (9.80 secs). This Ford Mustang Cobra 2 302 4.9 V8 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 1997 Alfa-Romeo 156 2.5 V6

When talking about the performance of the Ford Mustang on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.9 secs @ 76.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1997 Alfa-Romeo 156 2.5 V6 (17.82 secs), the 2003 Audi A8 4.0 TDI Quattro (17.82 secs), and the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (17.83 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1976 version of the Ford Mustang Cobra 2 302 4.9 V8 has a maximum speed of 106mph.

Top Speed of the 1976 Mustang equals the 2007 Mazda 2 1.5 Sport (117 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1976 Ford Mustang Cobra 2 302 4.9 V8 then how about the 2007 Mazda 2 1.5 Sport (117 mph), the 1983 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GTE (117 mph), or the 1982 Ford Granada 2.8i V6 (117 mph).

Related Links:

1976 Mustang Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison