Performance Review: Mitsubishi FTO 1.8 - [1994]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mitsubishi FTO Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mitsubishi FTO 1.8 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1994. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1995 McLaren F1 LM 6.1 V12 and the 1995 Ford GT 90 6.0L V12.This particular Mitsubishi FTO has a 1834cc 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 FTO 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 FTO's Front Wheel Drive, Coupe 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 1120 kgs (2469 lbs) this makes the Mitsubishi FTO 1.8 in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 1834cc 16V St4 engine produces 125 bhp (93 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 Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 125 lb-ft (169.4 Nm) @ 6000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (148 lb-ft) or the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (148 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (136.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mitsubishi FTO.

The Mitsubishi FTO has a Power to weight ratio of 111.6 bhp per ton and 111.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1994 FTO competing with the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (136.4 bhp per ton) or the 1972 Fiat 124 Abarth Rallye (136.3 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 Mitsubishi FTO generating around 111.6 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 1990 Alfa-Romeo 164 3.0 V6 Cloverleaf (136.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 1978 Triumph TR8 3.5 V8 (136.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.3 secs, this made the Mitsubishi FTO 1.8 as fast as the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (9.00 secs) the 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (9.00 secs) the 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi (9.00 secs) the or the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (9.00 secs). This Mitsubishi FTO 1.8 is also faster than the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (9.10 secs) the 1999 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (9.10 secs) the 1990 Mazda MX5 1.6 (9.10 secs) the and the 1983 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GTE (9.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the FTO and the 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Mitsubishi FTO on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.75 secs @ 81.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo (16.67 secs), the 2002 Toyota Corolla 1.8 VVTL-I T SPORT (16.67 secs), and the 2000 Audi A4 3.0 V6 Quattro (16.68 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1994 version of the Mitsubishi FTO 1.8 has a maximum speed of 125mph.

Top Speed of the 1994 FTO 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 1994 Mitsubishi FTO 1.8 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:

1994 FTO Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mitsubishi

Car Comparison