Performance Review: Buick Riviera 7.5 V8 - [1971]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Buick Riviera Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Buick Riviera 7.5 V8 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1971. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1971 Chevrolet Corvette C3 ZR2 Stingray 7.4 V8 Convertible and the 1971 Ford Mustang 351 5.8 V8 Convertible.This particular Buick Riviera has a 7458cc 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 2009 kgs (4429 lbs) this makes the Buick Riviera 7.5 V8 in the same weight category as the 2022 Ferrari Purosangue 6.5 V12 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 7458cc 16V V8 engine produces 330 bhp (246 kW) @ 4600 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 455 lb-ft (616.8 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 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (460 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 1968 Alpine A110 1300 (188.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Buick Riviera.

The Buick Riviera has a Power to weight ratio of 164.2 bhp per ton and 226.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1971 Riviera competing with the 1968 Alpine A110 1300 (188.8 bhp per ton) or the 2009 BMW Z4 35i sDrive 2d (188.7 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 226.4 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 5 Series 550i (251.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1 327 V8 (251.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.4 secs, this made the Buick Riviera 7.5 V8 as fast as the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (9.10 secs) the 1999 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (9.10 secs) the 1990 Mazda MX5 1.6 (9.10 secs) the or the 1983 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GTE (9.10 secs). This Buick Riviera 7.5 V8 is also faster than the 2007 Toyota Yaris 1.8L TS (9.20 secs) the 1987 Citroen AX GT 1.4 (9.20 secs) the 1985 Pontiac Firebird 5.0L Trans Am (9.20 secs) the and the 1982 Ford Granada 2.8i V6 (9.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Riviera and the 2001 Honda Integra 2.0i VTEC Type R DC5

When talking about the performance of the Buick Riviera on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.04 secs @ 91.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2001 Honda Integra 2.0i VTEC Type R DC5 (14.97 secs), the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (14.97 secs), and the 1992 Nissan Sunny GTi R (14.98 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1971 version of the Buick Riviera 7.5 V8 has a maximum speed of 125mph.

Top Speed of the 1971 Riviera equals the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1971 Buick Riviera 7.5 V8 then how about the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph), the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (136 mph), or the 1992 Subaru Legacy 2.0 Turbo (136 mph).

Related Links:

1971 Riviera Rivals List.

A Brief History of Buick

Car Comparison