Performance Review: Dodge Coronet Hardtop R/T 7.0L V8 426 - [1968]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Dodge Coronet Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Dodge Coronet Hardtop R/T 7.0L V8 426 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1968. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1969 McLaren M6 GT 5.7 V8 and the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429.This particular Dodge Coronet has a 6974cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Coronet 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 Coronet'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 1785 kgs (3935 lbs) this makes the Dodge Coronet Hardtop R/T 7.0L V8 426 in the same weight category as the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The Dodge Coronet shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp)

In terms of power the 6974cc 16V V8 engine produces 461 bhp (343 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 490 lb-ft (664.3 Nm) @ 4000 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 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (479 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2012 BMW 6 Series M6 Gran Coupe 4.4 V8 (283.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Dodge Coronet.

The Dodge Coronet has a Power to weight ratio of 258.2 bhp per ton and 274.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1968 Coronet competing with the 2012 BMW 6 Series M6 Gran Coupe 4.4 V8 (283.0 bhp per ton) or the 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello (282.6 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 Dodge Coronet generating around 274.5 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 2021 Mercedes SL Class 63 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (299.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo Roadster (299.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.8 secs, this made the Dodge Coronet Hardtop R/T 7.0L V8 426 as fast as 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 or the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 secs). This Dodge Coronet Hardtop R/T 7.0L V8 426 is also faster than the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (5.70 secs) the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi 2.0 Turbo Clubsport (5.70 secs) the and the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo (5.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Coronet and the 2008 Audi TT S 2.0T 270

When talking about the performance of the Dodge Coronet on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.8 secs @ 106.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Audi TT S 2.0T 270 (12.74 secs), the 2008 Dodge Charger 6.1 SRT8 (12.74 secs), and the 1994 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V1 - Classic JDM Wagon (12.74 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1968 version of the Dodge Coronet Hardtop R/T 7.0L V8 426 has a maximum speed of 118mph.

Top Speed of the 1968 Coronet equals the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (129 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1968 Dodge Coronet Hardtop R/T 7.0L V8 426 then how about the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (129 mph), the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (129 mph), or the 2009 Ford Fiesta ST185 (129 mph).

Related Links:

1968 Coronet Rivals List.

A Brief History of Dodge

Car Comparison