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Datsun 280-ZX

The Datsun 280-ZX reaches 60 mph in 9.31 s and covers a standing quarter mile in 17.05 s, tripping the lights at 85.6 mph. It clears the first 60 ft in 2.98 s and the eighth mile in 11.28 s.

Simulated, not measured — computed from published kerb mass, rated power, gearing and drivetrain, then fitted to this car’s own published acceleration figures. Dry asphalt, 20 °C, sea level, 1 ft rollout.

Datsun 280-ZX Lada Vesta Sport

Pick who it runs against, then watch it happen — and change the surface, the weather or the distance and run it again.

Down the strip

Standing start Datsun 280-ZX
0–60 mph9.31 s
0–100 mph—
60 ft2.98 s
1/8 mile11.28 s
1/4 mile17.05 s
Trap speed85.6 mph

About the 280-ZX

The 1979 Datsun 280-ZX is a rear-drive naturally aspirated car of 1,295 kg with 135 bhp, which works out at 105 bhp per tonne. Rear drive and 105 bhp per tonne make the launch the hard part of the run: 60 ft takes 2.98 s. Against the 2,929 cars in the set it is the 2,822nd quickest to 60 mph, and the 3rd quickest of the 3 Datsuns here. Its 85.6 mph trap speed sits about where its 0-60 puts it, so it launches and pulls in roughly equal measure. The simulation is trimmed to 7 of 9 published acceleration figures for this car.

On paper

Specification Datsun 280-ZX
Year1979
Power135 bhp
Kerb mass1,295 kg
Power to weight105 bhp/t
DrivetrainRear drive
Gears5
EngineNaturally aspirated
Top speed205 km/h

Similar cars

CarYear 0–601/4 mileTrapPower
Lada Vesta Sport20199.25 s17.26 s86.2 mph145 bhp
Bitter CD Coupe Diplomat19739.32 s17.38 s84.2 mph228 bhp
Honda Fit Sport20099.63 s17.35 s80.3 mph117 bhp

Picked for a fair race, not just a matching 0-60: pace, power-to-weight and body shape all count, and at most one is from the same maker.

Questions

What is the Datsun 280-ZX 0-60 time?
The Datsun 280-ZX reaches 60 mph in 9.31 s, simulated on dry asphalt at 20 °C with a 1 ft rollout. That makes it the 2,822nd quickest of the 2,929 cars in the set.
What is the Datsun 280-ZX quarter mile time?
17.05 s at 85.6 mph. It reaches the eighth mile in 11.28 s and clears the first 60 ft in 2.98 s.
How much power does the Datsun 280-ZX have?
135 bhp and 1,295 kg, which is 105 bhp per tonne. It is rear-drive, naturally aspirated, with 5 gears and a quoted top speed of 205 km/h.
What cars are comparable to the Datsun 280-ZX?
Closest here on pace: Lada Vesta Sport (9.25 s), Bitter CD Coupe Diplomat (9.32 s), Honda Fit Sport (9.63 s). Each one can be raced against the Datsun 280-ZX in the panel at the top of this page.
Are these real measured times?
No. Every figure on this page is produced by a physics simulation, not by a stopwatch at a drag strip. The Datsun 280-ZX is modelled from its published kerb mass, rated power, drivetrain and gearing, then trimmed until it reproduces 7 of its 9 published acceleration figures. Conditions are the same for every car in the set: dry asphalt, 20 °C, sea level, 1 ft rollout.

Figures regenerated 2026-09-01. Every number on this page is computed by the simulator at build time, so the page and the app can never disagree.