Performance Review: Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 Turbo 2nd Gen - [1981]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mitsubishi Lancer Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 Turbo 2nd Gen is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1981. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V and the 1982 Lamborghini Countach LP500S.This particular Mitsubishi Lancer has a 1997cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

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

The Lancer 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 Lancer's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon 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 1000 kgs (2204 lbs) this makes the Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 Turbo 2nd Gen in the same weight category as the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mitsubishi Lancer shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 1997cc 16V St4 engine produces 168 bhp (125 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 181 lb-ft (245.4 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 Mitsubishi Lancer you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1990 Nissan Skyline R32 GTR (193.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mitsubishi Lancer.

The Mitsubishi Lancer has a Power to weight ratio of 168.0 bhp per ton and 181.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1981 Lancer competing with the 1990 Nissan Skyline R32 GTR (193.0 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (193.0 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 Lancer generating around 181.0 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 1969 Dodge Charger 7.2L Daytona (205.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1993 Aston-Martin DB7 3.2 V6 (205.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.9 secs, this made the Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 Turbo 2nd Gen as fast as the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (7.60 secs) the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the or the 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 GTi (7.60 secs). This Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 Turbo 2nd Gen is also faster than the 2010 Citroen DS4 200 1.6 Turbo (7.70 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Polo 1.8T GTi (7.70 secs) the 2005 Audi Q7 4.2 V8 (7.70 secs) the and the 2005 Mitsubishi Colt CZT 1.5 Turbo (7.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Lancer and the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000 GT

When talking about the performance of the Mitsubishi Lancer on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.93 secs @ 91.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000 GT (14.86 secs), the 1971 Dodge Dart Demon Sport Coupe 5.5 V8 340 (14.86 secs), and the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra 265 DSG (14.87 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1981 version of the Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 Turbo 2nd Gen has a maximum speed of 124mph.

Top Speed of the 1981 Lancer equals the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1981 Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 Turbo 2nd Gen then how about the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (135 mph).

Related Links:

1981 Lancer Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mitsubishi

Car Comparison