Performance Review: Dodge Dart Hemi 7.0 V8 - [1968]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Dodge Dart Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Dodge Dart Hemi 7.0 V8 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 Dart has a 6981cc 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 1600 kgs (3527 lbs) this makes the Dodge Dart Hemi 7.0 V8 in the same weight category as the 2021 Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae Roadster 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The Dodge Dart shares the same bhp with the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (450 bhp)

In terms of power the 6981cc 16V V8 engine produces 425 bhp (316 kW) @ 5600 rpm similar to the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (450 bhp) or the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 3.5 V6 Supercharged (410 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 Dart you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2006 BMW Alpina B5 V8 Switchtronic E60 (290.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Dodge Dart.

The Dodge Dart has a Power to weight ratio of 265.6 bhp per ton and 306.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1968 Dart competing with the 2006 BMW Alpina B5 V8 Switchtronic E60 (290.6 bhp per ton) or the 2020 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (290.5 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 306.2 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 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet 991 II (331.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (330.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.4 secs, this made the Dodge Dart Hemi 7.0 V8 as fast as the 2021 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Limited Edition (5.20 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (5.20 secs) the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (5.20 secs) the or the 2018 BMW X7 M50d 3.0 Turbo (5.20 secs). This Dodge Dart Hemi 7.0 V8 is also faster than the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R (5.30 secs) the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (5.30 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 V6 Supercharged 360 (5.30 secs) the and the 2017 Mercedes G Class 63 AMG (5.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Dart and the 1998 Mazda RX7 RZ

When talking about the performance of the Dodge Dart on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.7 secs @ 107.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1998 Mazda RX7 RZ (12.64 secs), the 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 (12.65 secs), and the 2016 Audi A3 S3 Sportback 2.0 Turbo S-Tronic (12.65 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1968 version of the Dodge Dart Hemi 7.0 V8 has a maximum speed of 102mph.

Top Speed of the 1968 Dart equals the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (113 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1968 Dodge Dart Hemi 7.0 V8 then how about the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (113 mph), the 1979 Volvo 242 GT 2.3 (113 mph), or the 1976 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi MK1 (113 mph).

Related Links:

1968 Dart Rivals List.

A Brief History of Dodge

Car Comparison