Performance Review: AMC AMX /3 6.4L V8 - [1969]

Figures & Specs Summary:

AMC AMX Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the AMC AMX /3 6.4L V8 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1969. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS and the 1969 McLaren M6 GT 5.7 V8.This particular AMC AMX has a 6386cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The AMX 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 AMX'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 1402 kgs (3090 lbs) this makes the AMC AMX /3 6.4L V8 in the same weight category as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 6386cc 16V V8 engine produces 340 bhp (253 kW) @ 5100 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 430 lb-ft (583.0 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 AMC AMX you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2013 Aston-Martin Vantage V8 SP10 (267.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the AMC AMX.

The AMC AMX has a Power to weight ratio of 242.5 bhp per ton and 306.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1969 AMX competing with the 2013 Aston-Martin Vantage V8 SP10 (267.0 bhp per ton) or the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 Auto (267.0 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 AMC AMX generating around 306.7 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 1992 Bugatti EB110 SuperSport (331.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet 991 II (331.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.7 secs, this made the AMC AMX /3 6.4L V8 as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the or the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs). This AMC AMX /3 6.4L V8 is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (5.60 secs) the and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the AMX and the 1994 Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR-4

When talking about the performance of the AMC AMX on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.12 secs @ 104.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1994 Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR-4 (13.06 secs), the 2006 Mercedes CLK 500 Cabriolet (13.06 secs), and the 2011 Ginetta G40 R 2.0L (13.06 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1969 version of the AMC AMX /3 6.4L V8 has a maximum speed of 160mph.

Top Speed of the 1969 AMX equals the 2018 Porsche Boxster T 2.0 Turbo PDK 982 (171 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1969 AMC AMX /3 6.4L V8 then how about the 2018 Porsche Boxster T 2.0 Turbo PDK 982 (171 mph), the 2018 Porsche Boxster T 2.0 Turbo 982 (171 mph), or the 2013 Jaguar F Type S 3.0 V6 (171 mph).

Related Links:

1969 AMX Rivals List.

A Brief History of AMC

Car Comparison