Performance Review: Hudson Hornet 308 5L - [1954]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Hudson Hornet Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Hudson Hornet 308 5L is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1954. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1954 Jaguar D Type 3.4L and the 1955 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 1.This particular Hudson Hornet has a 5047cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The Hornet shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Hornet'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 1801 kgs (3970 lbs) this makes the Hudson Hornet 308 5L in the same weight category as the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage V12 5.2 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Hudson Hornet shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 5047cc 12V St6 engine produces 170 bhp (126 kW) @ 3800 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 278 lb-ft (376.9 Nm) @ 2600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (119.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Hudson Hornet.

The Hudson Hornet has a Power to weight ratio of 94.3 bhp per ton and 154.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1954 Hornet competing with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (119.3 bhp per ton) or the 2000 Proton Satria 1.8 GTi (119.2 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 Hudson Hornet generating around 154.3 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 Lancia Delta Integrale 8v (179.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2002 Ford Focus RS (179.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 12.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 12.6 secs, this made the Hudson Hornet 308 5L as fast as the 1970 Vauxhall-Opel Manta Rallye 1.9 8v (12.20 secs) the 1966 Austin-Healey Sprite MK IV AN8 (12.20 secs) the 1955 Austin-Healey 100 M BN2 2.6L (12.20 secs) the or the 1963 Lancia Flaminia Coupe 3 B 2.5 GT (12.30 secs). This Hudson Hornet 308 5L is also faster than the 1963 Lancia Flaminia Coupe 3 B 2.5 GT (12.30 secs) the 1962 Lincoln Continental 7.0L V8 (12.40 secs) the 1950 Aston-Martin DB2 2.6L (12.40 secs) the and the 1955 Triumph TR3 2.0L Convertible (12.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Hornet and the 2002 Ford Mondeo ST220

When talking about the performance of the Hudson Hornet on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 18.11 secs @ 75.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Ford Mondeo ST220 (18.03 secs), the 2004 BMW 5 Series 535d M-Sport Saloon Auto E60 (18.05 secs), and the 2001 MG ZR 1.8i VVC 160 (18.09 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1954 version of the Hudson Hornet 308 5L has a maximum speed of 106mph.

Top Speed of the 1954 Hornet 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 1954 Hudson Hornet 308 5L 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:

1954 Hornet Rivals List.

A Brief History of Hudson

Car Comparison