Performance Review: Renault 18 1.6 Turbo - [1980]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Renault 18 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Renault 18 1.6 Turbo 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 Renault 18 has a 1565cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

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

The 18 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 18's Front Wheel Drive, Saloon 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 1040 kgs (2292 lbs) this makes the Renault 18 1.6 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Renault 18 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1565cc 8V St4 engine produces 125 bhp (93 kW) @ 5500 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 Turbo St4 throws out 133 lb-ft (180.3 Nm) @ 2500 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 Caterham 7 485 2.0L (152 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Renault 18 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1997 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 (145.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Renault 18.

The Renault 18 has a Power to weight ratio of 120.1 bhp per ton and 127.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1980 18 competing with the 1997 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 (145.1 bhp per ton) or the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (145.1 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 Renault 18 generating around 127.8 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 1986 Aston-Martin Lagonda Series 3 5.3L V8 (152.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 1986 Saab 9000 2.0 Turbo (152.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 10.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.3 secs, this made the Renault 18 1.6 Turbo as fast as the 1976 Triumph 2500 TC (10.00 secs) the 1966 Pontiac Tempest Le Mans Sprint (10.00 secs) the 1950 Ferrari 195 Inter (10.00 secs) the or the 1948 Ferrari 166 MM (10.00 secs). This Renault 18 1.6 Turbo is also faster than the 1967 Pontiac Firebird Sprint 3.8L (10.10 secs) the 1966 Volvo 144 Grand Luxe 2.0 8v (10.10 secs) the 2019 Ford Ranger F-150 Raptor 2.0 (10.20 secs) the and the 1983 Alfa-Romeo Alfasud 1.5 Ti QV (10.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 18 and the 2001 Lexus SC 430 4.3

When talking about the performance of the Renault 18 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.36 secs @ 83.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2001 Lexus SC 430 4.3 (16.29 secs), the 1968 Holden Monaro GTS 327 5.4 V8 (16.29 secs), and the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (16.29 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1980 version of the Renault 18 1.6 Turbo has a maximum speed of 121mph.

Top Speed of the 1980 18 equals the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (132 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1980 Renault 18 1.6 Turbo then how about the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (132 mph), the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (132 mph), or the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (132 mph).

Related Links:

1980 18 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Renault

Car Comparison