Performance Review: Dodge Dart 360 Sport 5.9 V8 - [1973]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Dodge Dart Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Dodge Dart 360 Sport 5.9 V8 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1973. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1973 Monteverdi Hai 450 GTS and the 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona.This particular Dodge Dart has a 5896cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Dart 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 Dart'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 1550 kgs (3417 lbs) this makes the Dodge Dart 360 Sport 5.9 V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 or the give or take 50kg.

The Dodge Dart shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 5896cc 16V V8 engine produces 230 bhp (171 kW) @ 4400 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 300 lb-ft (406.7 Nm) @ 3600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 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 Dodge Dart you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1992 Nissan Sunny GTi R (173.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Dodge Dart.

The Dodge Dart has a Power to weight ratio of 148.3 bhp per ton and 193.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1973 Dart competing with the 1992 Nissan Sunny GTi R (173.3 bhp per ton) or the 1998 Subaru Impreza 2.0 Turbo UK - Classic (173.3 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 Dart generating around 193.5 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 1997 Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM (218.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 1997 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V4 - Classic JDM (218.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.3 secs, this made the Dodge Dart 360 Sport 5.9 V8 as fast as the 2011 Citroen DS5 1.6 THP 200 (8.00 secs) the 2009 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (8.00 secs) the 2008 Alfa-Romeo Mito 1.4 155 T-Jet Veloce (8.00 secs) the or the 2007 Fiat Bravo 1.9 Sport Multijet (8.00 secs). This Dodge Dart 360 Sport 5.9 V8 is also faster than the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 2.0 Blue HDI 180 (8.10 secs) the 2008 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth (8.10 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 (8.10 secs) the and the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.0 Turbo SRI (8.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Dart and the 2002 Lotus Elise S2 1.8 111S

When talking about the performance of the Dodge Dart on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.61 secs @ 87.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Lotus Elise S2 1.8 111S (15.55 secs), the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TSI 4Motion (15.56 secs), and the 1972 Lamborghini Urraco 2.5L V8 P250 (15.57 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1973 version of the Dodge Dart 360 Sport 5.9 V8 has a maximum speed of 118mph.

Top Speed of the 1973 Dart 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 1973 Dodge Dart 360 Sport 5.9 V8 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:

1973 Dart Rivals List.

A Brief History of Dodge

Car Comparison