Performance Review: Jensen GT 2.0 16v - [1976]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Jensen GT Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Jensen GT 2.0 16v is the 5 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 Jensen GT has a 1973cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

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

The GT 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 GT's Rear Wheel Drive, Estate 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 1097 kgs (2418 lbs) this makes the Jensen GT 2.0 16v in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 1973cc 16V St4 engine produces 144 bhp (107 kW) @ 6500 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 St4 throws out 134 lb-ft (181.6 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (159 lb-ft) or the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (148 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2000 Volvo S60 T5 2.4 Turbo (156.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Jensen GT.

The Jensen GT has a Power to weight ratio of 131.2 bhp per ton and 122.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1976 GT competing with the 2000 Volvo S60 T5 2.4 Turbo (156.2 bhp per ton) or the 2010 Audi A8 3.0 TFSI Quattro (156.2 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 Jensen GT generating around 122.1 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 1957 Jaguar XK 150 SE Fixed Head Coupe (147.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 1991 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.8 VR6 (147.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.0 secs, this made the Jensen GT 2.0 16v as fast as the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (8.70 secs) the 2011 Renault Twingo 1.6 133 Renaultsport Cup (8.70 secs) the 2009 Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDi 200 GT (8.70 secs) the or the 2003 Lancia Thesis 3.2 V6 24v Comfortronic (8.70 secs). This Jensen GT 2.0 16v is also faster than the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Zafira Tourer CDTi BiTurbo (8.80 secs) the the 2002 Toyota Camry 3.0 V6 (8.80 secs) the and the 2000 Mitsubishi FTO 2.0 GPX (8.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the GT and the 2007 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 VXR

When talking about the performance of the Jensen GT on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.17 secs @ 84.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 VXR (16.10 secs), the 2003 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 225 (16.10 secs), and the 2010 Citroen DS3 Racing 200 (16.12 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1976 version of the Jensen GT 2.0 16v has a maximum speed of 119mph.

Top Speed of the 1976 GT equals the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (130 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1976 Jensen GT 2.0 16v then how about the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (130 mph), the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (130 mph), or the 2017 BMW X4 M40i 2.0 Turbo F26 (130 mph).

Related Links:

1976 GT Rivals List.

A Brief History of Jensen

Car Comparison