Performance Review: Aston-Martin DBS Coupe 5.3 V8 - [1970]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Aston-Martin DBS Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Aston-Martin DBS Coupe 5.3 V8 is the 5 speed / Manual 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 Aston-Martin DBS has a 5341cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The DBS 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 DBS'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 1727 kgs (3807 lbs) this makes the Aston-Martin DBS Coupe 5.3 V8 in the same weight category as the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 Auto or the give or take 50kg.

The Aston-Martin DBS shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 5341cc 16V V8 engine produces 375 bhp (279 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (360 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 398 lb-ft (539.6 Nm) @ 4500 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 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (406 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1995 Maserati Ghibli 2.0 Turbo Cup (242.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Aston-Martin DBS.

The Aston-Martin DBS has a Power to weight ratio of 217.1 bhp per ton and 230.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1970 DBS competing with the 1995 Maserati Ghibli 2.0 Turbo Cup (242.1 bhp per ton) or the 2006 Audi A4 RS4 Avant 4.2 V8 (242.1 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 Aston-Martin DBS generating around 230.4 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 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (255.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R 5.2 V8 (255.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.1 secs, this made the Aston-Martin DBS Coupe 5.3 V8 as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the or the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs). This Aston-Martin DBS Coupe 5.3 V8 is also faster than the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 265 DSG (6.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the DBS and the 1951 Jaguar C Type 3.4L

When talking about the performance of the Aston-Martin DBS on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.57 secs @ 100.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1951 Jaguar C Type 3.4L (13.50 secs), the 1993 Nissan Skyline R33 GTR (13.51 secs), and the 2012 Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 (13.52 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1970 version of the Aston-Martin DBS Coupe 5.3 V8 has a maximum speed of 158mph.

Top Speed of the 1970 DBS equals the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (169 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1970 Aston-Martin DBS Coupe 5.3 V8 then how about the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (169 mph), the 1995 Maserati Ghibli 2.0 Turbo Cup (169 mph), or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (170 mph).

Related Links:

1970 DBS Rivals List.

A Brief History of Aston-Martin

Car Comparison