Performance Review: Aston-Martin Volante 5.3L V8 - [1988]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Aston-Martin Volante Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Aston-Martin Volante 5.3L V8 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1988. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10.This particular Aston-Martin Volante 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 Volante 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 Volante'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 1681 kgs (3705 lbs) this makes the Aston-Martin Volante 5.3L V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 5341cc 16V V8 engine produces 304 bhp (226 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 330 lb-ft (447.4 Nm) @ 4750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 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 Volante you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt 4.6 V8 (205.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Aston-Martin Volante.

The Aston-Martin Volante has a Power to weight ratio of 180.8 bhp per ton and 196.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1988 Volante competing with the 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt 4.6 V8 (205.8 bhp per ton) or the 1969 Lamborghini Espada S II (205.8 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 Volante generating around 196.3 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 2018 BMW X7 M50d 3.0 Turbo (221.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2014 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS (221.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.9 secs, this made the Aston-Martin Volante 5.3L V8 as fast as the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (5.70 secs) the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi 2.0 Turbo Clubsport (5.70 secs) the or the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo (5.70 secs). This Aston-Martin Volante 5.3L V8 is also faster than the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs) the and the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Volante and the 1960 Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop

When talking about the performance of the Aston-Martin Volante on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.42 secs @ 94.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1960 Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop (14.37 secs), the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (14.37 secs), and the 2013 Ford Taurus SHO 3.5 V6 Performance Pack (14.38 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1988 version of the Aston-Martin Volante 5.3L V8 has a maximum speed of 162mph.

Top Speed of the 1988 Volante equals the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (173 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1988 Aston-Martin Volante 5.3L V8 then how about the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (173 mph), the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R 5.2 V8 (173 mph), or the 2014 Porsche Boxster GTS PDK (173 mph).

Related Links:

1988 Volante Rivals List.

A Brief History of Aston-Martin

Car Comparison