Performance Review: BMW 3200 CS Coupe - [1962]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 3200 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 3200 CS Coupe is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1962. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1 327 V8 and the 1963 Ferrari 275 GTB 3.3 V12.This particular BMW 3200 has a 3169cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The 3200 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 3200'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 1500 kgs (3306 lbs) this makes the BMW 3200 CS Coupe in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 3200 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 3169cc 16V V8 engine produces 160 bhp (119 kW) @ 5600 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 177 lb-ft (239.9 Nm) @ 3600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 3200 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1985 Alfa-Romeo 90 2.5 V6 Gold Cloverleaf (131.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 3200.

The BMW 3200 has a Power to weight ratio of 106.6 bhp per ton and 118.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1962 3200 competing with the 1985 Alfa-Romeo 90 2.5 V6 Gold Cloverleaf (131.6 bhp per ton) or the 1968 Toyota 2000 GT 2.0L Coupe (131.5 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 BMW 3200 generating around 118.0 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 1988 Vauxhall-Opel Kadett 2.0 16V GSi (142.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1992 Volkswagen-VW Vento 2.8 VR6 (142.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 13.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 13.6 secs, this made the BMW 3200 CS Coupe as fast as the 1964 Austin-Healey Sprite MKIII AN8 (13.30 secs) the 1954 Mercedes SL Class 190SL W121 (13.30 secs) the 1970 Skoda UVMV 1100 GT (13.40 secs) the or the 1963 Porsche 356 C 1.6 Coupe (13.50 secs). This BMW 3200 CS Coupe is also faster than the 1964 Austin-Healey Sprite MKIII AN8 (13.30 secs) the 1954 Mercedes SL Class 190SL W121 (13.30 secs) the 1970 Skoda UVMV 1100 GT (13.40 secs) the and the 1963 Porsche 356 C 1.6 Coupe (13.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3200 and the 1989 Audi 200 2.2T 20v Quattro

When talking about the performance of the BMW 3200 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.23 secs @ 79.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1989 Audi 200 2.2T 20v Quattro (17.15 secs), the 1998 BMW 7 Series 740i E38 Auto (17.16 secs), and the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (17.16 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1962 version of the BMW 3200 CS Coupe has a maximum speed of 124mph.

Top Speed of the 1962 3200 equals the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1962 BMW 3200 CS Coupe then how about the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (135 mph).

Related Links:

1962 3200 Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison