Performance Review: Dodge Dart Demon Sport Coupe 5.5 V8 340 - [1971]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Dodge Dart Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Dodge Dart Demon Sport Coupe 5.5 V8 340 is the 3 speed / Manual 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 Dodge Dart has a 5563cc 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 1500 kgs (3306 lbs) this makes the Dodge Dart Demon Sport Coupe 5.5 V8 340 in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 or the give or take 50kg.

The Dodge Dart shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 5563cc 16V V8 engine produces 275 bhp (205 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 340 lb-ft (460.9 Nm) @ 3200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (317 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 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 1993 Toyota Supra 3.0 Twin Turbo (208.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Dodge Dart.

The Dodge Dart has a Power to weight ratio of 183.3 bhp per ton and 226.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1971 Dart competing with the 1993 Toyota Supra 3.0 Twin Turbo (208.3 bhp per ton) or the 1993 Toyota Supra 3.0 Turbo Auto (208.3 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 226.6 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 6.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.2 secs, this made the Dodge Dart Demon Sport Coupe 5.5 V8 340 as fast as the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the or the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 265 DSG (6.00 secs). This Dodge Dart Demon Sport Coupe 5.5 V8 340 is also faster than the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the and the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTI 2.0 Turbo DSG (6.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Dart and the 2015 BMW 3 Series 335d xDrive LCI Touring F31

When talking about the performance of the Dodge Dart on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.38 secs @ 95.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2015 BMW 3 Series 335d xDrive LCI Touring F31 (14.32 secs), the 2014 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Convertible (14.33 secs), and the 2004 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 (14.35 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1971 version of the Dodge Dart Demon Sport Coupe 5.5 V8 340 has a maximum speed of 128mph.

Top Speed of the 1971 Dart equals the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (139 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1971 Dodge Dart Demon Sport Coupe 5.5 V8 340 then how about the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (139 mph), the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Beetle 2.0 TSi Cabriolet (139 mph), or the 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V 182 Cup (139 mph).

Related Links:

1971 Dart Rivals List.

A Brief History of Dodge

Car Comparison