Performance Review: Porsche 911 SC - [1980]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche 911 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche 911 SC is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1980. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1980 Lotus Esprit S2.2 Turbo and the 1981 Porsche 924 Carrera GTS 937.This particular Porsche 911 has a 2994cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a F formation.

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

The 911 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 911'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 1160 kgs (2557 lbs) this makes the Porsche 911 SC in the same weight category as the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Porsche 911 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp)

In terms of power the 2994cc 12V F6 engine produces 201 bhp (149 kW) @ 5900 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated F6 throws out 197 lb-ft (267.0 Nm) @ 4300 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Porsche 911 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2018 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy (198.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche 911.

The Porsche 911 has a Power to weight ratio of 173.2 bhp per ton and 169.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1980 911 competing with the 2018 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy (198.1 bhp per ton) or the 2007 Toyota Aurion TRD 3.5 V6 Supercharged (198.1 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 Porsche 911 generating around 169.8 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 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (194.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1994 Subaru Impreza WRX Type RA - Classic JDM (194.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 16.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 17.0 secs, this made the Porsche 911 SC as fast as the 1961 Skoda Felicia 1.1L Cabriolet (16.80 secs) the 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite MKII AN7 (16.80 secs) the 1953 Studebaker Commander 3.8 V8 Coupe (16.90 secs) the or the 1952 Porsche 356 1.5l 2+2 (17.00 secs). This Porsche 911 SC is also faster than the 1961 Skoda Felicia 1.1L Cabriolet (16.80 secs) the 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite MKII AN7 (16.80 secs) the 1953 Studebaker Commander 3.8 V8 Coupe (16.90 secs) the and the 1952 Porsche 356 1.5l 2+2 (17.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 911 and the 2012 BMW X6 M50d E71

When talking about the performance of the Porsche 911 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.73 secs @ 92.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 BMW X6 M50d E71 (14.66 secs), the 2013 BMW 3 Series 335i (14.66 secs), and the 2018 BMW X6 M50d 3.0 Turbo (14.66 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1980 version of the Porsche 911 SC has a maximum speed of 146mph.

Top Speed of the 1980 911 equals the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (157 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1980 Porsche 911 SC then how about the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (157 mph), the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 360 (157 mph), or the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 320 (157 mph).

Related Links:

1980 911 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison