Performance Review: BMW 507 3.2 V8 - [1956]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 507 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 507 3.2 V8 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1956. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1957 Chevrolet Corvette C1 283 Convertible and the 1957 Mercedes 300 SL II Roadster W198.This particular BMW 507 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 507 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 507's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet 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 1315 kgs (2899 lbs) this makes the BMW 507 3.2 V8 in the same weight category as the 2020 McLaren 765LT 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 507 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 3169cc 16V V8 engine produces 150 bhp (111 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 173 lb-ft (234.5 Nm) @ 4000 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 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 507 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 454 Coupe 4 Speed 2nd Gen (138.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 507.

The BMW 507 has a Power to weight ratio of 114.0 bhp per ton and 131.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1956 507 competing with the 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 454 Coupe 4 Speed 2nd Gen (138.8 bhp per ton) or the 1990 Toyota MR2 GT Mk2 Rev 1 (138.8 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 BMW 507 generating around 131.5 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 1996 BMW Z3 E36 2.8L Roadster (155.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2001 Ford Thunderbird 4.0L V8 (155.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 10.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.8 secs, this made the BMW 507 3.2 V8 as fast as the 1993 Toyota T100 3.0 V6 (10.50 secs) the 1975 Chevrolet Vega Cosworth Twin Cam (10.50 secs) the 1971 Chevrolet Vega 2300 GT 4 Speed (10.50 secs) the or the 1963 Mercedes SL Class 230SL W113 (10.50 secs). This BMW 507 3.2 V8 is also faster than the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (10.60 secs) the 1974 Vauxhall-Opel Manta GT/E 1.9 8v (10.60 secs) the 1971 Bentley Corniche 6.8 V8 Convertible (10.60 secs) the and the 1969 Ford Capri 2000 GT (10.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 507 and the 2016 BMW Z4 sDrive28i

When talking about the performance of the BMW 507 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.89 secs @ 81.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2016 BMW Z4 sDrive28i (16.81 secs), the 2010 Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari 1.4 Turbo (16.81 secs), and the 1985 Volkswagen-VW Polo GT G40 1.3 Supercharged (16.82 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1956 version of the BMW 507 3.2 V8 has a maximum speed of 122mph.

Top Speed of the 1956 507 equals the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (133 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1956 BMW 507 3.2 V8 then how about the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (133 mph), the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (133 mph), or the 2009 Citroen DS3 1.6 THP 150 (133 mph).

Related Links:

1956 507 Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison