Performance Review: Skoda 120 L 1200 - [1980]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Skoda 120 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Skoda 120 L 1200 is the 4 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 Skoda 120 has a 1174cc 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 120 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 120's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon 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 880 kgs (1940 lbs) this makes the Skoda 120 L 1200 in the same weight category as the 2009 Lotus Exige Cup 260 1.8 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Skoda 120 shares the same bhp with the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (34 bhp)

In terms of power the 1174cc 8V St4 engine produces 52 bhp (38 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (34 bhp) or the 2005 Citroen C1 1.0 VTR 3dr (67 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 63 lb-ft (85.4 Nm) @ 3000 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 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (41 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Skoda 120 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2001 Citroen C5 2.2 HDi 16v (83.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Skoda 120.

The Skoda 120 has a Power to weight ratio of 59.0 bhp per ton and 71.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1980 120 competing with the 2001 Citroen C5 2.2 HDi 16v (83.8 bhp per ton) or the 1963 Lancia Flaminia Coupe 3 B 2.5 GT (82.2 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 Skoda 120 generating around 71.5 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 1984 Talbot Samba Rallye 1.2 (96.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 1978 Mercury Zephyr Z-7 Sports Coupe (95.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 17.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 18.1 secs, this made the Skoda 120 L 1200 as fast as the 1974 Skoda S110 R/T 426 7.0 V8 Hemi (17.70 secs) the 1958 Austin-Healey Sprite MK1 AN5 (18.40 secs) the 1949 Jaguar Mark V 3.5L (18.90 secs) the or the 1939 Aston-Martin Atom 2.0L (19.00 secs). This Skoda 120 L 1200 is also faster than the 1974 Skoda S110 R/T 426 7.0 V8 Hemi (17.70 secs) the 1958 Austin-Healey Sprite MK1 AN5 (18.40 secs) the 1949 Jaguar Mark V 3.5L (18.90 secs) the and the 1939 Aston-Martin Atom 2.0L (19.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 120 and the 1976 Jensen GT 2.0 16v

When talking about the performance of the Skoda 120 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 21.21 secs @ 64.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1976 Jensen GT 2.0 16v (21.12 secs), the 1989 Ford Sierra XR4X4 (21.14 secs), and the 1986 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6 8v (21.18 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1980 version of the Skoda 120 L 1200 has a maximum speed of 87mph.

Top Speed of the 1980 120 equals the 1976 Triumph 2500 TC (99 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1980 Skoda 120 L 1200 then how about the 1976 Triumph 2500 TC (99 mph), the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (100 mph), or the 2005 Citroen C1 1.0 VTR 3dr (100 mph).

Related Links:

1980 120 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Skoda

Car Comparison