Performance Review: Ferrari 400 GTS - [1976]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ferrari 400 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ferrari 400 GTS is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1976. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo and the 1977 Lamborghini Countach LP400S.This particular Ferrari 400 has a 4823cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The 400 shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 400'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 1884 kgs (4153 lbs) this makes the Ferrari 400 GTS in the same weight category as the 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 or the give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari 400 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 4823cc 24V V12 engine produces 335 bhp (249 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (348 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 311 lb-ft (421.6 Nm) @ 4600 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 Ferrari 400 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2019 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi TCR 2.0 Turbo (202.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari 400.

The Ferrari 400 has a Power to weight ratio of 177.8 bhp per ton and 165.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1976 400 competing with the 2019 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi TCR 2.0 Turbo (202.8 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Mercedes C Class 43 AMG Coupe (202.8 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 400 generating around 165.0 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 1994 Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM (190.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1984 Porsche 944 Turbo (189.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.3 secs, this made the Ferrari 400 GTS as fast as the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (7.10 secs) the or the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (7.10 secs). This Ferrari 400 GTS is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the and the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 400 and the 1972 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS

When talking about the performance of the Ferrari 400 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.48 secs @ 94.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1972 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS (14.42 secs), the 1998 Audi A6 4.2 Quattro (14.42 secs), and the 1993 Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 3 (14.43 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1976 version of the Ferrari 400 GTS has a maximum speed of 152mph.

Top Speed of the 1976 400 equals the 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8 (163 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1976 Ferrari 400 GTS then how about the 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8 (163 mph), the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R (163 mph), or the 1996 Lotus Esprit 2.0 Turbo GT3 (163 mph).

Related Links:

1976 400 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ferrari

Car Comparison