Performance Review: Peugeot 403 1500 - [1955]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Peugeot 403 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Peugeot 403 1500 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1955. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1955 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 1 and the 1955 Mercedes SL Class 300SL Gullwing W198.This particular Peugeot 403 has a 1468cc 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 403 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 403'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 1300 kgs (2866 lbs) this makes the Peugeot 403 1500 in the same weight category as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Peugeot 403 shares the same bhp with the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp)

In terms of power the 1468cc 8V St4 engine produces 58 bhp (43 kW) @ 4900 rpm similar to the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp) or the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (34 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 74 lb-ft (100.3 Nm) @ 2500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft) or the 2011 Aston-Martin Cygnet 1.3L Launch Edition (92 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Peugeot 403 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V (69.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Peugeot 403.

The Peugeot 403 has a Power to weight ratio of 44.6 bhp per ton and 56.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1955 403 competing with the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V (69.6 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (69.0 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 Peugeot 403 generating around 56.9 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 1974 Alfa-Romeo Alfasud 1.2 Sprint Ti (79.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1961 Triumph Herald 1200 (79.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 24.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 24.8 secs, this made the Peugeot 403 1500 as fast as the 1977 Ford Granada 2.1 Diesel (26.10 secs) the 1961 Triumph Herald 1200 (28.60 secs) the 1961 Renault 4 L Export (30.30 secs) the or the 1953 Fiat 1100 1.1L (32.70 secs). This Peugeot 403 1500 is also faster than the 1977 Ford Granada 2.1 Diesel (26.10 secs) the 1961 Triumph Herald 1200 (28.60 secs) the 1961 Renault 4 L Export (30.30 secs) the and the 1953 Fiat 1100 1.1L (32.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 403 and the 1986 Ford Granada Scorpio 4x4 2.8 V6

When talking about the performance of the Peugeot 403 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 23.1 secs @ 59.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1986 Ford Granada Scorpio 4x4 2.8 V6 (23.00 secs), the 1987 Citroen AX GT 1.4 (23.02 secs), and the 2004 Citroen C2 1.6 VTS 3-5dr (23.03 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1955 version of the Peugeot 403 1500 has a maximum speed of 76mph.

Top Speed of the 1955 403 equals the 1980 Skoda 120 L 1200 (87 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1955 Peugeot 403 1500 then how about the 1980 Skoda 120 L 1200 (87 mph), the 1952 Porsche 356 1.5l 2+2 (87 mph), or the 1974 Skoda S110 R/T 426 7.0 V8 Hemi (90 mph).

Related Links:

1955 403 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Peugeot

Car Comparison