Performance Review: Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 7.5L V8 - [1970]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Oldsmobile Delta 88 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 7.5L V8 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1970. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS and the 1970 Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8.This particular Oldsmobile Delta 88 has a 7467cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Delta 88 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 Delta 88'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 2057 kgs (4534 lbs) this makes the Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 7.5L V8 in the same weight category as the 2022 Ferrari Purosangue 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The Oldsmobile Delta 88 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 7467cc 16V V8 engine produces 390 bhp (290 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 500 lb-ft (677.9 Nm) @ 3200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (524 lb-ft) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (479 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Oldsmobile Delta 88 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2001 Pontiac Firebird Formula W96 Ram Air (214.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Oldsmobile Delta 88.

The Oldsmobile Delta 88 has a Power to weight ratio of 189.5 bhp per ton and 243.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1970 Delta 88 competing with the 2001 Pontiac Firebird Formula W96 Ram Air (214.5 bhp per ton) or the 2006 Mercedes CLK 500 Cabriolet (214.5 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 Oldsmobile Delta 88 generating around 243.0 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 2009 Ferrari 458 4.5 V8 (268.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2011 Ferrari SA Aperta Pininfarina 6.0 V12 (268.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.1 secs, this made the Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 7.5L V8 as fast as the 2015 Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Coupe (6.90 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 V6 Supercharged (6.90 secs) the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.90 secs) the or the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (6.90 secs). This Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 7.5L V8 is also faster than the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the and the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Delta 88 and the 1986 Ferrari Mondial 3.2l V8

When talking about the performance of the Oldsmobile Delta 88 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.33 secs @ 95.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1986 Ferrari Mondial 3.2l V8 (14.27 secs), the 2000 Mitsubishi Galant VR4 Type S (14.27 secs), and the 2017 Audi A3 S3 Saloon 2.0 Turbo (14.28 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1970 version of the Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 7.5L V8 has a maximum speed of 140mph.

Top Speed of the 1970 Delta 88 equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 7.5L V8 then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph), the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (151 mph), or the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Edition 30 DSG (151 mph).

Related Links:

1970 Delta 88 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Oldsmobile

Car Comparison