Performance Review: Rover SD1 Vitesse 3.5L V8 - [1984]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Rover SD1 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Rover SD1 Vitesse 3.5L V8 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1984. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S QV and the 1984 Audi Quattro Sport 2.2 T.This particular Rover SD1 has a 3532cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The SD1 shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the SD1's Rear Wheel Drive, Hatchback 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 1440 kgs (3174 lbs) this makes the Rover SD1 Vitesse 3.5L V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Rover SD1 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 3532cc 16V V8 engine produces 187 bhp (139 kW) @ 5280 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 220 lb-ft (298.2 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Rover SD1 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2006 Mini Cooper S R56 (154.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Rover SD1.

The Rover SD1 has a Power to weight ratio of 129.8 bhp per ton and 152.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1984 SD1 competing with the 2006 Mini Cooper S R56 (154.8 bhp per ton) or the 2003 Chrysler Crossfire 3.2 V6 2d (154.8 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 SD1 generating around 152.7 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 1993 Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 3 (177.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2004 Audi A4 S4 4.2 Quattro (177.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.3 secs, this made the Rover SD1 Vitesse 3.5L V8 as fast as the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (7.10 secs) the or the 2011 Abarth 500 Essessee 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs). This Rover SD1 Vitesse 3.5L V8 is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the and the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the SD1 and the 1987 Buick Regal GNX 3.8 V6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Rover SD1 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.15 secs @ 84.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1987 Buick Regal GNX 3.8 V6 Turbo (16.09 secs), the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Clubman (16.09 secs), and the 2005 BMW 3 Series 330i M-Sport Manual E90 (16.09 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1984 version of the Rover SD1 Vitesse 3.5L V8 has a maximum speed of 135mph.

Top Speed of the 1984 SD1 equals the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (146 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1984 Rover SD1 Vitesse 3.5L V8 then how about the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (146 mph), the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (146 mph), or the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (146 mph).

Related Links:

1984 SD1 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Rover

Car Comparison