1978 Fiat 131 vs. 1979 Mercedes-Benz 380
To start off, 1979 Mercedes-Benz 380 is newer by 1 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1978 Fiat 131. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1978 Fiat 131 would be higher. At 3,818 cc (8 cylinders), 1979 Mercedes-Benz 380 is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1979 Mercedes-Benz 380 (215 HP) has 162 more horse power than 1978 Fiat 131. (53 HP) In normal driving conditions, 1979 Mercedes-Benz 380 should accelerate faster than 1978 Fiat 131. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1979 Mercedes-Benz 380 weights approximately 631 kg more than 1978 Fiat 131. So despite on having greater horse power, its additional weight may have an impact towards its acceleration in comparison.
Both vehicles are rear wheel drive (RWD) - it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, both vehicles do the job better than front wheel drive vehicles. 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, 1979 Mercedes-Benz 380 (305 Nm @ 4000 RPM) has 210 more torque (in Nm) than 1978 Fiat 131. (95 Nm @ 2700 RPM). This means 1979 Mercedes-Benz 380 will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1978 Fiat 131. 1979 Mercedes-Benz 380 has automatic transmission and 1978 Fiat 131 has manual transmission. 1978 Fiat 131 will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 1979 Mercedes-Benz 380 will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.
Compare all specifications:
1978 Fiat 131 | 1979 Mercedes-Benz 380 | |
Make | Fiat | Mercedes-Benz |
Model | 131 | 380 |
Year Released | 1978 | 1979 |
Engine Position | Front | Front |
Engine Size | 1297 cc | 3818 cc |
Engine Cylinders | 4 cylinders | 8 cylinders |
Engine Type | in-line | V |
Horse Power | 53 HP | 215 HP |
Torque | 95 Nm | 305 Nm |
Torque RPM | 2700 RPM | 4000 RPM |
Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
Transmission Type | Manual | Automatic |
Number of Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
Vehicle Weight | 965 kg | 1596 kg |
Vehicle Length | 4270 mm | 5000 mm |
Vehicle Width | 1660 mm | 1830 mm |
Vehicle Height | 1370 mm | 1440 mm |
Wheelbase Size | 2500 mm | 2940 mm |