Performance Review: DeTomaso Pantera GT5 S 5.8 V8 - [1979]

Figures & Specs Summary:

DeTomaso Pantera Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the DeTomaso Pantera GT5 S 5.8 V8 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1979. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1980 Lotus Esprit S2.2 Turbo and the 1980 Porsche 928 S 4.7L V8.This particular DeTomaso Pantera has a 5766cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Pantera 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 Pantera'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 1420 kgs (3130 lbs) this makes the DeTomaso Pantera GT5 S 5.8 V8 in the same weight category as the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 5766cc 16V V8 engine produces 350 bhp (260 kW) @ 6000 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 333 lb-ft (451.4 Nm) @ 3800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2021 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition 3.0 Bi Turbo xDrive G80 (271.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the DeTomaso Pantera.

The DeTomaso Pantera has a Power to weight ratio of 246.4 bhp per ton and 234.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1979 Pantera competing with the 2021 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition 3.0 Bi Turbo xDrive G80 (271.1 bhp per ton) or the 2000 Porsche 911 Turbo 996 (271.1 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 DeTomaso Pantera generating around 234.5 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 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 360 (259.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 BMW 4 Series M4 (258.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.7 secs, this made the DeTomaso Pantera GT5 S 5.8 V8 as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the or the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs). This DeTomaso Pantera GT5 S 5.8 V8 is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (5.60 secs) the and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Pantera and the 1971 Jensen SP Automatic 7.2 V8

When talking about the performance of the DeTomaso Pantera on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.04 secs @ 104.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1971 Jensen SP Automatic 7.2 V8 (12.98 secs), the 2001 Mercedes C Class 32 AMG (12.99 secs), and the 2018 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy (12.99 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1979 version of the DeTomaso Pantera GT5 S 5.8 V8 has a maximum speed of 174mph.

Top Speed of the 1979 Pantera equals the 2015 Aston-Martin Vantage GT3 5.9 V12 (185 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1979 DeTomaso Pantera GT5 S 5.8 V8 then how about the 2015 Aston-Martin Vantage GT3 5.9 V12 (185 mph), the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo (185 mph), or the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 S PDK 991 (185 mph).

Related Links:

1979 Pantera Rivals List.

A Brief History of DeTomaso

Car Comparison