Performance Review: MG Maestro 2.0 Turbo - [1988]

Figures & Specs Summary:

MG Maestro Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the MG Maestro 2.0 Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1988. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10.This particular MG Maestro has a 1994cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

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

The Maestro 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 Maestro's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1087 kgs (2396 lbs) this makes the MG Maestro 2.0 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Cup 430 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 1994cc 8V St4 engine produces 150 bhp (111 kW) @ 5100 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 169 lb-ft (229.1 Nm) @ 3500 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 MG Maestro you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2011 Toyota GT 86 2.0L Coupe (162.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the MG Maestro.

The MG Maestro has a Power to weight ratio of 137.9 bhp per ton and 155.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1988 Maestro competing with the 2011 Toyota GT 86 2.0L Coupe (162.8 bhp per ton) or the 2009 Ford Fiesta ST185 (162.7 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 MG Maestro generating around 155.4 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 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible 6.4L V8 3rd Gen (180.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2007 Maserati GranTurismo 4.2 V8 (180.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.0 secs, this made the MG Maestro 2.0 Turbo as fast as the 2017 Dodge Charger SXT AWD 3.7 V6 (6.80 secs) the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (6.80 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Countrman (6.80 secs) the or the 2010 Volkswagen-VW Scirocco 2.0 TSI DSG (6.80 secs). This MG Maestro 2.0 Turbo is also faster than the 2015 Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Coupe (6.90 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 V6 Supercharged (6.90 secs) the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.90 secs) the and the 2009 Ford Fiesta ST185 (6.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Maestro and the 2002 Lotus Elise S2 1.8 111S

When talking about the performance of the MG Maestro on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.61 secs @ 87.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Lotus Elise S2 1.8 111S (15.55 secs), the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TSI 4Motion (15.56 secs), and the 1972 Lamborghini Urraco 2.5L V8 P250 (15.57 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1988 version of the MG Maestro 2.0 Turbo has a maximum speed of 129mph.

Top Speed of the 1988 Maestro equals the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (140 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1988 MG Maestro 2.0 Turbo then how about the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (140 mph), the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (140 mph), or the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (140 mph).

Related Links:

1988 Maestro Rivals List.

A Brief History of MG

Car Comparison