Performance Review: AMC Hornet 360 V8 - [1974]

Figures & Specs Summary:

AMC Hornet Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the AMC Hornet 360 V8 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1974. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1974 Lamborghini Countach LP400 and the 1974 Lancia Stratos 2.5 V6.This particular AMC Hornet has a 5896cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Hornet 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 Hornet's Rear Wheel Drive, Hatchback 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 1485 kgs (3273 lbs) this makes the AMC Hornet 360 V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The AMC Hornet shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp)

In terms of power the 5896cc 16V V8 engine produces 177 bhp (131 kW) @ 4000 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 285 lb-ft (386.4 Nm) @ 2400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1988 Peugeot 405 2.0 Mi 16 (144.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the AMC Hornet.

The AMC Hornet has a Power to weight ratio of 119.1 bhp per ton and 191.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1974 Hornet competing with the 1988 Peugeot 405 2.0 Mi 16 (144.1 bhp per ton) or the 2009 Jaguar XF 3.0d V6 Auto (144.1 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 Hornet generating around 191.9 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 Plymouth Fury 384 (216.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1968 Lamborghini Islero 3.9L V12 (216.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.0 secs, this made the AMC Hornet 360 V8 as fast as the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (8.70 secs) the 2011 Renault Twingo 1.6 133 Renaultsport Cup (8.70 secs) the 2009 Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDi 200 GT (8.70 secs) the or the 2003 Lancia Thesis 3.2 V6 24v Comfortronic (8.70 secs). This AMC Hornet 360 V8 is also faster than the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Zafira Tourer CDTi BiTurbo (8.80 secs) the the 2002 Toyota Camry 3.0 V6 (8.80 secs) the and the 2000 Mitsubishi FTO 2.0 GPX (8.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Hornet and the 2007 Volkswagen-VW Touareg 4.2 V8 FSI

When talking about the performance of the AMC Hornet on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.81 secs @ 81.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 Volkswagen-VW Touareg 4.2 V8 FSI (16.73 secs), the 2003 Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTi T-Sport 190 (16.74 secs), and the 1955 Mercedes SL Class 300SL Gullwing W198 (16.74 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1974 version of the AMC Hornet 360 V8 has a maximum speed of 116mph.

Top Speed of the 1974 Hornet equals the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (127 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1974 AMC Hornet 360 V8 then how about the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (127 mph), the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer (127 mph), or the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (127 mph).

Related Links:

1974 Hornet Rivals List.

A Brief History of AMC

Car Comparison