Performance Review: Triumph 2500 TC - [1976]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Triumph 2500 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Triumph 2500 TC is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1976. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo and the 1977 Lamborghini Countach LP400S.This particular Triumph 2500 has a 2498cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The 2500 shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 2500'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 1223 kgs (2696 lbs) this makes the Triumph 2500 TC in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

The Triumph 2500 shares the same bhp with the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp)

In terms of power the 2498cc 12V St6 engine produces 106 bhp (79 kW) @ 4700 rpm similar to the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp) or the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (120 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 139 lb-ft (188.4 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (159 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Triumph 2500 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1994 Mitsubishi FTO 1.8 (111.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Triumph 2500.

The Triumph 2500 has a Power to weight ratio of 86.6 bhp per ton and 113.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1976 2500 competing with the 1994 Mitsubishi FTO 1.8 (111.6 bhp per ton) or the 1983 Ford Mustang GT 2.3 Turbo (111.5 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 Triumph 2500 generating around 113.6 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 2002 Vauxhall-Opel Vectra 3.2 V6 GSi (138.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1973 Vauxhall-Opel Firenza Droop Snoot 2.3 Litre (138.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 10.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.3 secs, this made the Triumph 2500 TC as fast as the 1980 Renault 18 1.6 Turbo (10.00 secs) the 1966 Pontiac Tempest Le Mans Sprint (10.00 secs) the 1950 Ferrari 195 Inter (10.00 secs) the or the 1948 Ferrari 166 MM (10.00 secs). This Triumph 2500 TC is also faster than the 1967 Pontiac Firebird Sprint 3.8L (10.10 secs) the 1966 Volvo 144 Grand Luxe 2.0 8v (10.10 secs) the 2019 Ford Ranger F-150 Raptor 2.0 (10.20 secs) the and the 1983 Alfa-Romeo Alfasud 1.5 Ti QV (10.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 2500 and the 2013 Porsche Macan 3.0 Diesel S Sport

When talking about the performance of the Triumph 2500 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 18.53 secs @ 73.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Porsche Macan 3.0 Diesel S Sport (18.45 secs), the 2013 BMW i8 1.5 Turbo Hybrid (18.46 secs), and the 1988 Volkswagen-VW Corrado G60 (18.47 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1976 version of the Triumph 2500 TC has a maximum speed of 99mph.

Top Speed of the 1976 2500 equals the 1987 Citroen AX GT 1.4 (110 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1976 Triumph 2500 TC then how about the 1987 Citroen AX GT 1.4 (110 mph), the 1987 Citroen AX Sport (110 mph), or the 1973 Ford Escort MK1 RS2000 (110 mph).

Related Links:

1976 2500 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Triumph

Car Comparison