Performance Review: Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GSi - [1990]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Vauxhall-Opel Nova Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GSi is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1990. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1991 Jaguar XJ R-15 6.0 V12 and the 1991 Jaguar XJ 220.This particular Vauxhall-Opel Nova has a 1598cc 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 Nova 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 Nova'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 865 kgs (1906 lbs) this makes the Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GSi in the same weight category as the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer or the give or take 50kg.

The Vauxhall-Opel Nova shares the same bhp with the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp)

In terms of power the 1598cc 8V St4 engine produces 100 bhp (74 kW) @ 5600 rpm similar to the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp) or the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 99 lb-ft (134.2 Nm) @ 3400 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 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2001 Mini Cooper S 1.6 (140.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Vauxhall-Opel Nova.

The Vauxhall-Opel Nova has a Power to weight ratio of 115.6 bhp per ton and 114.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1990 Nova competing with the 2001 Mini Cooper S 1.6 (140.3 bhp per ton) or the 1998 Citroen Xsara 2.0 16V VTS (140.3 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 Vauxhall-Opel Nova generating around 114.4 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 2007 Volkswagen-VW Touareg 4.2 V8 FSI (139.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 1963 Ford Cortina MkI Lotus Type 28 (139.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.3 secs, this made the Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GSi as fast as the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (9.00 secs) the 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (9.00 secs) the 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi (9.00 secs) the or the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (9.00 secs). This Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GSi is also faster than 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 and the 1983 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GTE (9.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Nova and the 1993 Mercedes E Class 400 W124

When talking about the performance of the Vauxhall-Opel Nova on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.65 secs @ 82.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Mercedes E Class 400 W124 (16.58 secs), the 1966 Ford Mustang GT Convertible 289 4.7 V8 (16.59 secs), and the 1996 Alfa-Romeo GTV 3.0 V6 Lusso (16.60 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1990 version of the Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GSi has a maximum speed of 115mph.

Top Speed of the 1990 Nova equals the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (126 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1990 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GSi then how about the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (126 mph), the , or the 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi (126 mph).

Related Links:

1990 Nova Rivals List.

A Brief History of Vauxhall-Opel

Car Comparison