Performance Review: Renault 19 1.8 16V - [1991]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Renault 19 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Renault 19 1.8 16V is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1991. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1991 Jaguar XJ R-15 6.0 V12 and the 1992 Bugatti EB110 SuperSport.This particular Renault 19 has a 1763cc 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 19 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 19's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback 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 1070 kgs (2358 lbs) this makes the Renault 19 1.8 16V in the same weight category as the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated or the give or take 50kg.

The Renault 19 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1763cc 16V St4 engine produces 137 bhp (102 kW) @ 0 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 Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 119 lb-ft (161.3 Nm) @ 0 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (140 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Renault 19 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2013 BMW i8 1.5 Turbo Hybrid (153.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Renault 19.

The Renault 19 has a Power to weight ratio of 128.0 bhp per ton and 111.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1991 19 competing with the 2013 BMW i8 1.5 Turbo Hybrid (153.0 bhp per ton) or the 1939 Lagonda V12 LeMans 4.5L V8 (153.0 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 Renault 19 generating around 111.2 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 2005 Alfa-Romeo 159 3.2 V6 Q4 (136.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 1981 Ford Capri 2.8i (136.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.1 secs, this made the Renault 19 1.8 16V as fast as the 2017 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3 TDCi 185PS (7.80 secs) the 2015 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-2 TDCi 185PS (7.80 secs) the 2007 Lexus IS 250 AWD (7.80 secs) the or the 2001 MG ZT 2.5 V6 190 (7.80 secs). This Renault 19 1.8 16V is also faster than the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (7.90 secs) the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TDI (7.90 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps Sportshift (7.90 secs) the and the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (7.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 19 and the 2002 Volkswagen-VW Golf R32

When talking about the performance of the Renault 19 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.01 secs @ 85.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 (15.94 secs), the 2001 Mercedes CLK 430 4.3 V8 (15.94 secs), and the 1980 Porsche 911 SC (15.95 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1991 version of the Renault 19 1.8 16V has a maximum speed of 134mph.

Top Speed of the 1991 19 equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (145 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1991 Renault 19 1.8 16V then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (145 mph), the 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 350 Roadster 3.5 V6 (145 mph), or the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD (145 mph).

Related Links:

1991 19 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Renault

Car Comparison