Performance Review: Porsche 356 1.5l 2+2 - [1952]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche 356 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche 356 1.5l 2+2 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1952. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1952 Ferrari 340 Mexico and the 1953 Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 1900 Touring Coupe.This particular Porsche 356 has a 1488cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a F formation.

Alternative Petrol F6's includes the 2017 Porsche 911 GT2 RS

The 356 shares its Petrol F6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2017 Porsche 911 GT2 RS and the 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo S 991 II. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 356'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 765 kgs (1686 lbs) this makes the Porsche 356 1.5l 2+2 in the same weight category as the 2011 KTM X-Bow R 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Porsche 356 shares the same bhp with the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp)

In terms of power the 1488cc 8V F6 engine produces 55 bhp (41 kW) @ 4400 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 F6 throws out 78 lb-ft (105.7 Nm) @ 3200 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 Morgan 3 Wheeler 2.0l V-Twin (103 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Porsche 356 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1979 Ford Mustang Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Turbo (96.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche 356.

The Porsche 356 has a Power to weight ratio of 71.8 bhp per ton and 101.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1952 356 competing with the 1979 Ford Mustang Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Turbo (96.6 bhp per ton) or the 1979 Ford Mustang Cobra 2.3 V6 Turbo (96.6 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 Porsche 356 generating around 101.9 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 2010 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 VXR OPC (126.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 1991 Audi 80 2.8 E V6 Quattro (126.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 17.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 17.6 secs, this made the Porsche 356 1.5l 2+2 as fast as the 1980 Skoda 120 L 1200 (17.50 secs) the 1974 Skoda S110 R/T 426 7.0 V8 Hemi (17.70 secs) the 1958 Austin-Healey Sprite MK1 AN5 (18.40 secs) the or the 1949 Jaguar Mark V 3.5L (18.90 secs). This Porsche 356 1.5l 2+2 is also faster than the 1980 Skoda 120 L 1200 (17.50 secs) the 1974 Skoda S110 R/T 426 7.0 V8 Hemi (17.70 secs) the 1958 Austin-Healey Sprite MK1 AN5 (18.40 secs) the and the 1949 Jaguar Mark V 3.5L (18.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 356 and the 2006 Volvo C70 2.5 T5 Coupe Convertible Sport

When talking about the performance of the Porsche 356 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 19.96 secs @ 68.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2006 Volvo C70 2.5 T5 Coupe Convertible Sport (19.90 secs), the 1971 Ford Capri Mk1 RS2600 (19.90 secs), and the 2001 BMW 3 Series 330ci E46 (19.91 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1952 version of the Porsche 356 1.5l 2+2 has a maximum speed of 87mph.

Top Speed of the 1952 356 equals the 1976 Triumph 2500 TC (99 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1952 Porsche 356 1.5l 2+2 then how about the 1976 Triumph 2500 TC (99 mph), the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (100 mph), or the 2005 Citroen C1 1.0 VTR 3dr (100 mph).

Related Links:

1952 356 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison