Performance Review: Ferrari 328 GTS 3.2 V8 - [1986]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ferrari 328 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ferrari 328 GTS 3.2 V8 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1986. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1987 Porsche 959 Turbo and the 1987 Ferrari F40 2.9 V8.This particular Ferrari 328 has a 3186cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The 328 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 328'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 1273 kgs (2806 lbs) this makes the Ferrari 328 GTS 3.2 V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari 328 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 3186cc 32V V8 engine produces 270 bhp (201 kW) @ 7000 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (290 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 224 lb-ft (303.7 Nm) @ 5500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ferrari 328 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Monaro 6.0 V8 VXR (236.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari 328.

The Ferrari 328 has a Power to weight ratio of 212.0 bhp per ton and 175.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1986 328 competing with the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Monaro 6.0 V8 VXR (236.7 bhp per ton) or the 2000 Ford Mustang Cobra R 5.4 V8 (236.4 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 Ferrari 328 generating around 175.9 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 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (200.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC (200.9 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 Ferrari 328 GTS 3.2 V8 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 Ferrari 328 GTS 3.2 V8 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 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Woks 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 328 and the 1990 Ferrari Mondial t

When talking about the performance of the Ferrari 328 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.74 secs @ 99.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1990 Ferrari Mondial t (13.69 secs), the 1995 BMW 3 Series M3 GT E36 (13.69 secs), and the 1966 Mercury Cyclone 6.4 V8 (13.69 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1986 version of the Ferrari 328 GTS 3.2 V8 has a maximum speed of 163mph.

Top Speed of the 1986 328 equals the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo (174 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS 3.2 V8 then how about the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo (174 mph), the 2020 Lotus Exige Cup 430 3.5 V6 (174 mph), or the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 3.5 V6 (174 mph).

Related Links:

1986 328 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ferrari

Car Comparison