Performance Review: Mazda 323 Turbo - [1986]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mazda 323 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mazda 323 Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1986. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1987 Porsche 959 Turbo and the 1987 Ferrari F40 2.9 V8.This particular Mazda 323 has a 1598cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

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

The 323 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 323's All Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1110 kgs (2447 lbs) this makes the Mazda 323 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Mazda 323 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1598cc 16V St4 engine produces 148 bhp (110 kW) @ 6000 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 144 lb-ft (195.2 Nm) @ 5000 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 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (159 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mazda 323 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi DSG 2.0 Turbo (158.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mazda 323.

The Mazda 323 has a Power to weight ratio of 133.3 bhp per ton and 129.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1986 323 competing with the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi DSG 2.0 Turbo (158.3 bhp per ton) or the 2011 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa VXR OPC Nurburgring 1.6Turbo (158.3 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 Mazda 323 generating around 129.7 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 2004 Lotus Elise 111R (154.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Porsche Cayman 2.7 (154.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.1 secs, this made the Mazda 323 Turbo as fast as the 2017 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3 TDCi 185PS (7.80 secs) the 2015 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-2 TDCi 185PS (7.80 secs) the 2007 Lexus IS 250 AWD (7.80 secs) the or the 2001 MG ZT 2.5 V6 190 (7.80 secs). This Mazda 323 Turbo is also faster than the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (7.90 secs) the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TDI (7.90 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps Sportshift (7.90 secs) the and the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (7.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 323 and the 2002 Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro

When talking about the performance of the Mazda 323 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.5 secs @ 88.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro (15.43 secs), the 1991 Lancia Delta HF Integrale 16v (15.43 secs), and the 1969 Mercury Marauder X-100 (15.43 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1986 version of the Mazda 323 Turbo has a maximum speed of 125mph.

Top Speed of the 1986 323 equals the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1986 Mazda 323 Turbo then how about the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph), the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (136 mph), or the 1992 Subaru Legacy 2.0 Turbo (136 mph).

Related Links:

1986 323 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mazda

Car Comparison