Performance Review: Mercury Zephyr Z-7 Sports Coupe - [1978]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercury Zephyr Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercury Zephyr Z-7 Sports Coupe is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1978. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1979 DeTomaso Pantera GT5 S 5.8 V8 and the 1978 BMW M1 3.5 2d Manual.This particular Mercury Zephyr has a 2301cc 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 Zephyr 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 Zephyr'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 1246 kgs (2746 lbs) this makes the Mercury Zephyr Z-7 Sports Coupe in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercury Zephyr shares the same bhp with the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp)

In terms of power the 2301cc 8V St4 engine produces 89 bhp (66 kW) @ 4600 rpm similar to the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (98 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 119 lb-ft (161.3 Nm) @ 2600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (140 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1966 Volvo 144 Grand Luxe 2.0 8v (96.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercury Zephyr.

The Mercury Zephyr has a Power to weight ratio of 71.4 bhp per ton and 95.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1978 Zephyr competing with the 1966 Volvo 144 Grand Luxe 2.0 8v (96.1 bhp per ton) or the 2011 Dacia Sandero 1.6 16v (96.1 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 Mercury Zephyr generating around 95.5 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 2012 Subaru BRZ 2L (120.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1974 Peugeot 504 2.7 V6 (120.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 15.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 15.6 secs, this made the Mercury Zephyr Z-7 Sports Coupe as fast as the 1977 Austin Allegro 2 Super De Luxe 1500 (15.20 secs) the 1958 Rover P5 Mk1/1A (16.00 secs) the 1994 Toyota Land Cruiser 3.0 TD (16.40 secs) the or the 1980 Porsche 911 SC (16.50 secs). This Mercury Zephyr Z-7 Sports Coupe is also faster than the 1977 Austin Allegro 2 Super De Luxe 1500 (15.20 secs) the 1958 Rover P5 Mk1/1A (16.00 secs) the 1994 Toyota Land Cruiser 3.0 TD (16.40 secs) the and the 1980 Porsche 911 SC (16.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Zephyr and the 1985 Pontiac Firebird 5.0L Trans Am

When talking about the performance of the Mercury Zephyr on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 19.76 secs @ 69.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1985 Pontiac Firebird 5.0L Trans Am (19.69 secs), the 2012 Mini Cooper S Paceman (19.71 secs), and the 2015 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-2 TDCi 185PS (19.71 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1978 version of the Mercury Zephyr Z-7 Sports Coupe has a maximum speed of 93mph.

Top Speed of the 1978 Zephyr equals the 1963 Ford Cortina MkI Lotus Type 28 (104 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1978 Mercury Zephyr Z-7 Sports Coupe then how about the 1963 Ford Cortina MkI Lotus Type 28 (104 mph), the 1955 Jaguar Mark VII M 3.4L (104 mph), or the 1972 Chevrolet Impala Custom Hardtop 6.6L V8 (105 mph).

Related Links:

1978 Zephyr Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercury

Car Comparison