Performance Review: Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 - [1966]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Buick Riviera Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1966. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1966 AC Cobra 427 and the 1966 Chevrolet Corvette C2 Stingray 427 425hp.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, Saloon 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 1920 kgs (4232 lbs) this makes the Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition Touring 3.0 xDrive 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 360 bhp (268 kW) @ 4400 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 465 lb-ft (630.4 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 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 1978 BMW M1 3.5 2d Manual (212.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Buick Riviera.

The Buick Riviera has a Power to weight ratio of 187.5 bhp per ton and 242.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1966 Riviera competing with the 1978 BMW M1 3.5 2d Manual (212.5 bhp per ton) or the 1968 Ford XL XL Fastback 427 (212.4 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 242.1 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 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 Auto (267.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1965 Jensen CV8 FF 6.3L V8 (266.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.4 secs, this made the Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 as fast as the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the or the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs). This Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 is also faster than the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (7.30 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (7.30 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (7.30 secs) the and the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD DSG 2.0 Turbo Diesel (7.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Riviera and the 2014 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Convertible

When talking about the performance of the Buick Riviera on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.4 secs @ 95.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2014 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Convertible (14.33 secs), the 2004 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 (14.35 secs), and the 1960 Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop (14.37 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1966 version of the Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 has a maximum speed of 128mph.

Top Speed of the 1966 Riviera equals the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (139 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1966 Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 then how about the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (139 mph), the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Beetle 2.0 TSi Cabriolet (139 mph), or the 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V 182 Cup (139 mph).

Related Links:

1966 Riviera Rivals List.

A Brief History of Buick

Car Comparison