Performance Review: Ford Mustang M81 Mclaren 2.3 Turbo - [1980]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Mustang Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Mustang M81 Mclaren 2.3 Turbo is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1980. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1980 Lotus Esprit S2.2 Turbo and the 1981 Porsche 924 Carrera GTS 937.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, 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 1171 kgs (2581 lbs) this makes the Ford Mustang M81 Mclaren 2.3 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 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 130 bhp (96 kW) @ 5400 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 145 lb-ft (196.5 Nm) @ 3000 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 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 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 1994 Fiat Punto 1.4 GT (136.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Mustang.

The Ford Mustang has a Power to weight ratio of 111.0 bhp per ton and 123.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1980 Mustang competing with the 1994 Fiat Punto 1.4 GT (136.0 bhp per ton) or the 1953 Jaguar XK 120 DHC (136.0 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 123.8 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 1988 Volkswagen-VW Corrado G60 (148.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (148.7 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 M81 Mclaren 2.3 Turbo as fast as the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (9.80 secs) the 1979 Ford Mustang Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Turbo (9.80 secs) the 1979 Ford Mustang Cobra 2.3 V6 Turbo (9.80 secs) the or the 1979 Volvo 242 GT 2.3 (9.80 secs). This Ford Mustang M81 Mclaren 2.3 Turbo 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 1968 Oldsmobile Delmont 88 7.5L V8

When talking about the performance of the Ford Mustang on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.08 secs @ 80.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1968 Oldsmobile Delmont 88 7.5L V8 (17.00 secs), the 2007 Volvo S40 T5 2.5 Turbo AWD (17.03 secs), and the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS 2.0 Supercharged (17.04 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1980 version of the Ford Mustang M81 Mclaren 2.3 Turbo has a maximum speed of 95mph.

Top Speed of the 1980 Mustang equals the 2019 Ford Ranger F-150 Raptor 2.0 (106 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1980 Ford Mustang M81 Mclaren 2.3 Turbo then how about the 2019 Ford Ranger F-150 Raptor 2.0 (106 mph), the 2011 Aston-Martin Cygnet 1.3L Launch Edition (106 mph), or the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V (106 mph).

Related Links:

1980 Mustang Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison