Performance Review: DeTomaso Vallelunga 1.5 8v - [1965]

Figures & Specs Summary:

DeTomaso Vallelunga Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the DeTomaso Vallelunga 1.5 8v is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1965. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the 1966 AC Cobra 427.This particular DeTomaso Vallelunga has a 1498cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Vallelunga shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Vallelunga'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 700 kgs (1543 lbs) this makes the DeTomaso Vallelunga 1.5 8v in the same weight category as the 2003 Lotus Elise 1.8 S2 Sport 190 or the give or take 50kg.

The DeTomaso Vallelunga shares the same bhp with the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp)

In terms of power the 1498cc 8V St4 engine produces 103 bhp (76 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp) or the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 129 lb-ft (174.9 Nm) @ 3600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (148 lb-ft) or the 2013 Caterham 7 485 2.0L (152 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (172.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the DeTomaso Vallelunga.

The DeTomaso Vallelunga has a Power to weight ratio of 147.1 bhp per ton and 184.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1965 Vallelunga competing with the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (172.0 bhp per ton) or the 2009 Audi TT 3.2 V6 Quattro S-Line (172.0 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 Vallelunga generating around 184.2 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 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo G42 (209.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2014 Porsche 911 Targa 4S 991 (209.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.1 secs, this made the DeTomaso Vallelunga 1.5 8v as fast as the 2015 Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Coupe (6.90 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 V6 Supercharged (6.90 secs) the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.90 secs) the or the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (6.90 secs). This DeTomaso Vallelunga 1.5 8v is also faster than the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the and the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Vallelunga and the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray 454 7.4 V8

When talking about the performance of the DeTomaso Vallelunga on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.76 secs @ 86.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray 454 7.4 V8 (15.69 secs), the 2003 Chrysler 300 c 5.7 Hemi (15.70 secs), and the 2016 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Cabriolet (15.70 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1965 version of the DeTomaso Vallelunga 1.5 8v has a maximum speed of 114mph.

Top Speed of the 1965 Vallelunga equals the 2011 Fisker Karma Hybrid (125 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1965 DeTomaso Vallelunga 1.5 8v then how about the 2011 Fisker Karma Hybrid (125 mph), the 2011 Renault Twingo 1.6 133 Renaultsport Cup (125 mph), or the 2009 Tesla Roadster Electric 248bhp (125 mph).

Related Links:

1965 Vallelunga Rivals List.

A Brief History of DeTomaso

Car Comparison