1974 Renault 12 vs. 1984 Rover Vitesse

To start off, 1984 Rover Vitesse is newer by 10 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1974 Renault 12. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1974 Renault 12 would be higher. At 3,531 cc (8 cylinders), 1984 Rover Vitesse is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1984 Rover Vitesse (187 HP @ 5280 RPM) has 134 more horse power than 1974 Renault 12. (53 HP @ 5250 RPM) In normal driving conditions, 1984 Rover Vitesse should accelerate faster than 1974 Renault 12. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1984 Rover Vitesse weights approximately 490 kg more than 1974 Renault 12. So despite on having greater horse power, its additional weight may have an impact towards its acceleration in comparison.

Because 1984 Rover Vitesse is rear wheel drive (RWD), it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, it will be much easier to do with 1984 Rover Vitesse. However, in wet, icy, snow, or gravel driving conditions, 1974 Renault 12, being front wheel drive (FWD), will offer much better control with better grip. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. Let's talk about torque, 1984 Rover Vitesse (298 Nm @ 4000 RPM) has 202 more torque (in Nm) than 1974 Renault 12. (96 Nm @ 3000 RPM). This means 1984 Rover Vitesse will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1974 Renault 12.

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