Performance Review: Pontiac GTO 6.6 Litre V8 HO - [1967]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Pontiac GTO Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Pontiac GTO 6.6 Litre V8 HO is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1967. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1968 Dodge Dart Hemi 7.0 V8 and the 1968 Plymouth Road Runner 426 Hemi V8 1st Gen.This particular Pontiac GTO has a 6554cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The GTO 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 GTO's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon 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 1613 kgs (3556 lbs) this makes the Pontiac GTO 6.6 Litre V8 HO in the same weight category as the 2021 Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae Roadster 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 6554cc 16V V8 engine produces 360 bhp (268 kW) @ 5100 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 438 lb-ft (593.8 Nm) @ 3600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2017 Audi A4 RS4 Avant 2.9 V6 Turbo (248.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Pontiac GTO.

The Pontiac GTO has a Power to weight ratio of 223.1 bhp per ton and 271.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1967 GTO competing with the 2017 Audi A4 RS4 Avant 2.9 V6 Turbo (248.0 bhp per ton) or the 2006 Mercedes CLS Class 55 AMG (247.9 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 Pontiac GTO generating around 271.5 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 1967 DeTomaso Mangusta 4.7 V8 (296.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Audi A8 4.2 TDi Quattro (296.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.6 secs, this made the Pontiac GTO 6.6 Litre V8 HO as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the or the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs). This Pontiac GTO 6.6 Litre V8 HO is also faster than the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the and the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the GTO and the 2009 Tesla Roadster Electric 248bhp

When talking about the performance of the Pontiac GTO on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.62 secs @ 100.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Tesla Roadster Electric 248bhp (13.55 secs), the 2012 Audi A4 S4 3.0L V6 Supercharged (13.56 secs), and the 2011 Morgan 3 Wheeler 2.0l V-Twin (13.56 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1967 version of the Pontiac GTO 6.6 Litre V8 HO has a maximum speed of 120mph.

Top Speed of the 1967 GTO equals the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (131 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1967 Pontiac GTO 6.6 Litre V8 HO then how about the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (131 mph), the 2011 Abarth 500 Essessee 1.4 Turbo (131 mph), or the 2011 Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo (131 mph).

Related Links:

1967 GTO Rivals List.

A Brief History of Pontiac

Car Comparison