Performance Review: Aston-Martin DB5 1963 - [1963]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Aston-Martin DB5 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Aston-Martin DB5 1963 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1963. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1964 Jaguar XJ 13 5.0 V12 and the 1963 Ferrari 275 GTB 3.3 V12.This particular Aston-Martin DB5 has a 3996cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The DB5 shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the DB5'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 1465 kgs (3229 lbs) this makes the Aston-Martin DB5 1963 in the same weight category as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Aston-Martin DB5 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 3996cc 12V St6 engine produces 282 bhp (210 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 288 lb-ft (390.4 Nm) @ 3850 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 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 Aston-Martin DB5 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1998 Subaru Impreza WRX STI - Classic 22B (217.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Aston-Martin DB5.

The Aston-Martin DB5 has a Power to weight ratio of 192.4 bhp per ton and 196.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1963 DB5 competing with the 1998 Subaru Impreza WRX STI - Classic 22B (217.3 bhp per ton) or the 1998 Mazda RX7 RZ (217.3 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 Aston-Martin DB5 generating around 196.5 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 2009 Ford Focus 2.5 RS (221.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2002 Audi A6 RS6 Avant 4.2 V8 Twin Turbo (221.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.4 secs, this made the Aston-Martin DB5 1963 as fast as the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 2.0 Blue HDI 180 (8.10 secs) the 2008 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth (8.10 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 (8.10 secs) the or the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.0 Turbo SRI (8.10 secs). This Aston-Martin DB5 1963 is also faster than the 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR (8.20 secs) the 2005 Land-Rover Range Rover 4.4 V8 (8.20 secs) the 2003 BMW X5 3.0d (8.20 secs) the and the 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (8.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the DB5 and the 2011 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3

When talking about the performance of the Aston-Martin DB5 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.16 secs @ 96.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2011 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3 (14.09 secs), the 1996 Lotus Esprit 2.0 Turbo GT3 (14.10 secs), and the 2006 Lotus Europa S 2.0 Turbo (14.10 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1963 version of the Aston-Martin DB5 1963 has a maximum speed of 142mph.

Top Speed of the 1963 DB5 equals the 2014 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (153 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1963 Aston-Martin DB5 1963 then how about the 2014 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (153 mph), the 2004 BMW X5 4.8is V8 (153 mph), or the 2002 Dodge Neon 2.4 SRT-4 (153 mph).

Related Links:

1963 DB5 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Aston-Martin

Car Comparison