Performance Review: Volvo 242 GT 2.3 - [1979]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volvo 242 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volvo 242 GT 2.3 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1979. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1979 DeTomaso Pantera GT5 S 5.8 V8 and the 1980 Lotus Esprit S2.2 Turbo.This particular Volvo 242 has a 2316cc 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 242 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 242'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 1320 kgs (2910 lbs) this makes the Volvo 242 GT 2.3 in the same weight category as the 2020 McLaren 765LT 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Volvo 242 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 2316cc 8V St4 engine produces 138 bhp (102 kW) @ 5750 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 141 lb-ft (191.1 Nm) @ 4500 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 Volvo 242 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1984 Fiat Strada-Ritmo Abarth 125 TC (129.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volvo 242.

The Volvo 242 has a Power to weight ratio of 104.5 bhp per ton and 106.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1979 242 competing with the 1984 Fiat Strada-Ritmo Abarth 125 TC (129.4 bhp per ton) or the 1999 BMW X5 4.4 V8 (129.3 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 Volvo 242 generating around 106.8 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 1970 Alfa-Romeo Montreal 2.6 V8 Coupe (131.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1994 Lancia Kappa 3.0 V6 (131.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.1 secs, this made the Volvo 242 GT 2.3 as fast as the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (9.80 secs) the 1980 Ford Mustang M81 Mclaren 2.3 Turbo (9.80 secs) the 1979 Ford Mustang Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Turbo (9.80 secs) the or the 1979 Ford Mustang Cobra 2.3 V6 Turbo (9.80 secs). This Volvo 242 GT 2.3 is also faster than the 2001 Citroen C5 2.2 HDi 16v (9.90 secs) the 1997 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (9.90 secs) the 1980 Nissan Skyline Hardtop 2000 Turbo GT-E (9.90 secs) the and the 1979 Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 (9.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 242 and the 2010 Volkswagen-VW Scirocco 2.0 TSI DSG

When talking about the performance of the Volvo 242 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.38 secs @ 78.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2010 Volkswagen-VW Scirocco 2.0 TSI DSG (17.30 secs), the 1963 Alfa-Romeo Giulia TZ (17.30 secs), and the 1995 Bentley Continental R 6.8 V8 Turbo (17.30 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1979 version of the Volvo 242 GT 2.3 has a maximum speed of 113mph.

Top Speed of the 1979 242 equals the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (124 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1979 Volvo 242 GT 2.3 then how about the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (124 mph), the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (124 mph), or the 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 (124 mph).

Related Links:

1979 242 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volvo

Car Comparison