Performance Review: Ford Mustang GT 2.3 Turbo - [1983]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Mustang Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Mustang GT 2.3 Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1983. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1984 Audi Quattro Sport 2.2 T and the 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO.This particular Ford Mustang has a 2301cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Mustang 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 Mustang's Rear Wheel Drive, Hatchback 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 1300 kgs (2866 lbs) this makes the Ford Mustang GT 2.3 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo 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 2301cc 8V St4 engine produces 145 bhp (108 kW) @ 4600 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 Turbo St4 throws out 180 lb-ft (244.0 Nm) @ 3600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 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 Mustang you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (136.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Mustang.

The Ford Mustang has a Power to weight ratio of 111.5 bhp per ton and 138.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1983 Mustang competing with the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (136.4 bhp per ton) or the 1972 Fiat 124 Abarth Rallye (136.3 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 138.4 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 BMW 6 Series M635 CSi E24 (163.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Porsche Cayman 2.7l (163.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.8 secs, this made the Ford Mustang GT 2.3 Turbo as fast as the 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 (8.50 secs) the 2004 Land-Rover Discovery 3 4.4 V8 (8.50 secs) the 2000 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 150 (8.50 secs) the or the 1997 Peugeot 306 2.0 XSi (8.50 secs). This Ford Mustang GT 2.3 Turbo is also faster than the 2012 Jaguar XJ V6 (8.60 secs) the 2006 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.6 TDV8 (8.60 secs) the 2004 Audi A4 1.8T Sport (8.60 secs) the and the 2003 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 FSI (8.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mustang and the 1983 Renault 5 Turbo 2

When talking about the performance of the Ford Mustang on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.02 secs @ 80.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1983 Renault 5 Turbo 2 (16.95 secs), the 1961 Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 (16.95 secs), and the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TSI 2.0 Turbo (16.95 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1983 version of the Ford Mustang GT 2.3 Turbo has a maximum speed of 121mph.

Top Speed of the 1983 Mustang equals the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (132 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1983 Ford Mustang GT 2.3 Turbo then how about the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (132 mph), the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (132 mph), or the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (132 mph).

Related Links:

1983 Mustang Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison