Performance Review: DeTomaso Pantera L 5.7L V8 - [1973]

Figures & Specs Summary:

DeTomaso Pantera Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the DeTomaso Pantera L 5.7L V8 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1973. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1973 Monteverdi Hai 450 GTS and the 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona.This particular DeTomaso Pantera has a 5763cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Pantera shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Pantera's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe 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 1328 kgs (2927 lbs) this makes the DeTomaso Pantera L 5.7L V8 in the same weight category as the 2020 McLaren 765LT 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The DeTomaso Pantera shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 5763cc 16V V8 engine produces 330 bhp (246 kW) @ 5400 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (348 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 325 lb-ft (440.6 Nm) @ 3400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2015 Mercedes C Class 63 AMG (273.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the DeTomaso Pantera.

The DeTomaso Pantera has a Power to weight ratio of 248.4 bhp per ton and 244.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1973 Pantera competing with the 2015 Mercedes C Class 63 AMG (273.4 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S 991 (273.3 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 DeTomaso Pantera generating around 244.7 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 1999 Mercedes SL Class 73 AMG V12 R129 (269.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2005 Maybach 57 S 6.0 V12 (269.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.0 secs, this made the DeTomaso Pantera L 5.7L V8 as fast as the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs) the or the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs). This DeTomaso Pantera L 5.7L V8 is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Pantera and the 1998 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS 5.7 V8

When talking about the performance of the DeTomaso Pantera on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.02 secs @ 105.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1998 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS 5.7 V8 (12.96 secs), the 2011 Holden Commodore SS 6.0 V8 (12.96 secs), and the 1966 Oldsmobile Starfire 7.0 V8 (12.97 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1973 version of the DeTomaso Pantera L 5.7L V8 has a maximum speed of 158mph.

Top Speed of the 1973 Pantera equals the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (169 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1973 DeTomaso Pantera L 5.7L V8 then how about the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (169 mph), the 1995 Maserati Ghibli 2.0 Turbo Cup (169 mph), or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (170 mph).

Related Links:

1973 Pantera Rivals List.

A Brief History of DeTomaso

Car Comparison