Performance Review: Toyota Starlet-Glanza GT Turbo - [1989]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Toyota Starlet-Glanza Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Toyota Starlet-Glanza GT Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1989. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10.This particular Toyota Starlet-Glanza has a 1331cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 3 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St3's includes the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo

The Starlet-Glanza shares its Petrol St3 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo and the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Starlet-Glanza'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 890 kgs (1962 lbs) this makes the Toyota Starlet-Glanza GT Turbo in the same weight category as the 2009 Lotus Exige Cup 260 1.8 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Toyota Starlet-Glanza shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1331cc 16V St3 engine produces 133 bhp (99 kW) @ 6400 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 St3 throws out 116 lb-ft (157.2 Nm) @ 4800 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 Toyota Starlet-Glanza you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1989 Jaguar XJ R-S 6.0 V12 (174.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Toyota Starlet-Glanza.

The Toyota Starlet-Glanza has a Power to weight ratio of 149.4 bhp per ton and 130.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1989 Starlet-Glanza competing with the 1989 Jaguar XJ R-S 6.0 V12 (174.4 bhp per ton) or the 2006 Subaru Forester STi 2.5L Turbo (174.0 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 Toyota Starlet-Glanza generating around 130.3 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 BMW 3 Series M3 E36 (155.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2004 Audi TT 3.2 V6 Quattro (155.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.5 secs, this made the Toyota Starlet-Glanza GT Turbo as fast as the 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR (8.20 secs) the 2005 Land-Rover Range Rover 4.4 V8 (8.20 secs) the 2003 BMW X5 3.0d (8.20 secs) the or the 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (8.20 secs). This Toyota Starlet-Glanza GT Turbo is also faster than the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (8.30 secs) the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (8.30 secs) the 2005 Peugeot 407 3.0 V6 Coupe (8.30 secs) the and the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi (8.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Starlet-Glanza and the 2017 BMW 5 Series 54.d xDrive Touring G31

When talking about the performance of the Toyota Starlet-Glanza on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.27 secs @ 89.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 BMW 5 Series 54.d xDrive Touring G31 (15.22 secs), the 1992 Mazda RX7 Turbo (15.23 secs), and the 2015 Ford Focus ST-3 2.0 Turbo Estate (15.24 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1989 version of the Toyota Starlet-Glanza GT Turbo has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 1989 Starlet-Glanza equals the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1989 Toyota Starlet-Glanza GT Turbo then how about the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph), the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (141 mph), or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (141 mph).

Related Links:

1989 Starlet-Glanza Rivals List.

A Brief History of Toyota

Car Comparison