Performance Review: Rover 200 216 GTi Coupe - [1993]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Rover 200 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Rover 200 216 GTi Coupe is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1993. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1994 McLaren F1 6.1 V12 and the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo.This particular Rover 200 has a 1600cc 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 200 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 200's Front Wheel Drive, Coupe 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 1090 kgs (2403 lbs) this makes the Rover 200 216 GTi Coupe in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Rover 200 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1600cc 16V St4 engine produces 122 bhp (90 kW) @ 6800 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 103 lb-ft (139.6 Nm) @ 5700 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 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Rover 200 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1972 Maserati Merak 3.0 V6 (136.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Rover 200.

The Rover 200 has a Power to weight ratio of 111.9 bhp per ton and 94.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1993 200 competing with the 1972 Maserati Merak 3.0 V6 (136.9 bhp per ton) or the 1950 Ferrari 195 Inter (136.8 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 Rover 200 generating around 94.4 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 1998 Peugeot 306 2.0 Rallye (119.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 1996 Peugeot 306 GTi 6 (119.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.8 secs, this made the Rover 200 216 GTi Coupe as fast as the 2001 Alfa-Romeo 147 TS Selespeed (9.50 secs) the 1992 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit II 6.8 V8 (9.50 secs) the 1978 Mazda RX7 SA22C (9.50 secs) the or the 1957 Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 (9.50 secs). This Rover 200 216 GTi Coupe is also faster than the 2009 Citroen DS3 1.6 HDi 110 (9.60 secs) the 2008 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (9.60 secs) the 2003 Skoda Fabia 1.9 vRS 130bhp (9.60 secs) the and the 1993 Bentley Brooklands 4d (9.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 200 and the 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Rover 200 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.74 secs @ 81.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo (16.67 secs), the 2002 Toyota Corolla 1.8 VVTL-I T SPORT (16.67 secs), and the 2000 Audi A4 3.0 V6 Quattro (16.68 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1993 version of the Rover 200 216 GTi Coupe has a maximum speed of 124mph.

Top Speed of the 1993 200 equals the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1993 Rover 200 216 GTi Coupe then how about the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (135 mph).

Related Links:

1993 200 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Rover

Car Comparison