Performance Review: Buick Riviera 6.6 V8 - [1962]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Buick Riviera Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Buick Riviera 6.6 V8 is the 3 speed / Auto 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 Buick Riviera has a 6555cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Riviera 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 Riviera'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 1901 kgs (4190 lbs) this makes the Buick Riviera 6.6 V8 in the same weight category as the 2021 BMW 5 Series M5 CS 4.4 V8 Turbo F90 or the give or take 50kg.

The Buick Riviera shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 6555cc 16V V8 engine produces 325 bhp (242 kW) @ 4400 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (348 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 445 lb-ft (603.3 Nm) @ 2800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1965 Ford Mustang 289 Fastback 4.7 V8 (195.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Buick Riviera.

The Buick Riviera has a Power to weight ratio of 170.9 bhp per ton and 234.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1962 Riviera competing with the 1965 Ford Mustang 289 Fastback 4.7 V8 (195.9 bhp per ton) or the 1965 Ford Mustang Hardtop 289 4.7 V8 (195.9 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 Buick Riviera generating around 234.0 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 2013 BMW 4 Series M4 (258.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2021 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition 3.0 Bi Turbo xDrive G80 (258.2 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 Buick Riviera 6.6 V8 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 Buick Riviera 6.6 V8 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 Riviera and the 1982 Ferrari 308 GTB QV 3.0l V8

When talking about the performance of the Buick Riviera on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.85 secs @ 92.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1982 Ferrari 308 GTB QV 3.0l V8 (14.78 secs), the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (14.78 secs), and the 2001 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R EP2 - JDM (14.79 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1962 version of the Buick Riviera 6.6 V8 has a maximum speed of 123mph.

Top Speed of the 1962 Riviera equals the 2012 Peugeot 208 1.6 THP (134 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1962 Buick Riviera 6.6 V8 then how about the 2012 Peugeot 208 1.6 THP (134 mph), the 2009 Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDi 200 GT (134 mph), or the 2008 Alfa-Romeo Mito 1.4 155 T-Jet Veloce (134 mph).

Related Links:

1962 Riviera Rivals List.

A Brief History of Buick

Car Comparison