Performance Review: Triumph Dolomite Sprint - [1973]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Triumph Dolomite Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Triumph Dolomite Sprint is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1973. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1973 Monteverdi Hai 450 GTS and the 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona.This particular Triumph Dolomite has a 1998cc 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 Dolomite 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 Dolomite'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 991 kgs (2184 lbs) this makes the Triumph Dolomite Sprint in the same weight category as the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 1998cc 16V St4 engine produces 127 bhp (94 kW) @ 5200 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 Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 122 lb-ft (165.4 Nm) @ 4500 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 Triumph Dolomite you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1972 Dodge Challenger Rallye 340 (153.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Triumph Dolomite.

The Triumph Dolomite has a Power to weight ratio of 128.1 bhp per ton and 123.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1973 Dolomite competing with the 1972 Dodge Challenger Rallye 340 (153.1 bhp per ton) or the 1939 Lagonda V12 LeMans 4.5L V8 (153.0 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 Triumph Dolomite generating around 123.1 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 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS 2.0 Supercharged (148.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Peugeot RCZ 1.6 THP 200 GT (147.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.4 secs, this made the Triumph Dolomite Sprint as fast as the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (9.10 secs) the 1999 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (9.10 secs) the 1990 Mazda MX5 1.6 (9.10 secs) the or the 1983 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GTE (9.10 secs). This Triumph Dolomite Sprint is also faster than the 2007 Toyota Yaris 1.8L TS (9.20 secs) the 1987 Citroen AX GT 1.4 (9.20 secs) the 1985 Pontiac Firebird 5.0L Trans Am (9.20 secs) the and the 1982 Ford Granada 2.8i V6 (9.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Dolomite and the 2006 Saab 9-3 2.8 V6 Aero

When talking about the performance of the Triumph Dolomite on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.34 secs @ 83.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2006 Saab 9-3 2.8 V6 Aero (16.27 secs), the 1959 Maserati 5000 GT (16.28 secs), and the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (16.28 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1973 version of the Triumph Dolomite Sprint has a maximum speed of 116mph.

Top Speed of the 1973 Dolomite equals the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (127 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1973 Triumph Dolomite Sprint then how about the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (127 mph), the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (127 mph), or the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer (127 mph).

Related Links:

1973 Dolomite Rivals List.

A Brief History of Triumph

Car Comparison