Performance Review: Ferrari F40 2.9 V8 - [1987]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ferrari F40 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ferrari F40 2.9 V8 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1987. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1987 Porsche 959 Turbo and the 1987 Porsche 911 Ruf CTR Yellow Bird.This particular Ferrari F40 has a 2936cc Twin Turbo Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The F40 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 F40'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 1100 kgs (2425 lbs) this makes the Ferrari F40 2.9 V8 in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari F40 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp)

In terms of power the 2936cc 32V V8 engine produces 477 bhp (355 kW) @ 7000 rpm similar to the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp).

The Twin Turbo V8 throws out 426 lb-ft (577.5 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ferrari F40 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2014 McLaren 650S Spider 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (457.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari F40.

The Ferrari F40 has a Power to weight ratio of 433.6 bhp per ton and 387.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1987 F40 competing with the 2014 McLaren 650S Spider 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (457.8 bhp per ton) or the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 (456.8 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 F40 generating around 387.2 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 2013 Ferrari LaFerrari 6.3L V12 (411.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2016 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta 6.3 V12 (411.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.9 secs, this made the Ferrari F40 2.9 V8 as fast as the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (3.80 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (3.80 secs) the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (3.80 secs) the or the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (3.80 secs). This Ferrari F40 2.9 V8 is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (3.90 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (3.90 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (3.90 secs) the and the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (3.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the F40 and the 2003 Aston-Martin DB9 5.9 V12

When talking about the performance of the Ferrari F40 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 10.86 secs @ 126.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2003 Aston-Martin DB9 5.9 V12 (10.81 secs), the 2005 Fisker Tramonto 5.4 V8 (10.81 secs), and the 2018 Audi A3 RS3 2.5 Turbo (10.81 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1987 version of the Ferrari F40 2.9 V8 has a maximum speed of 201mph.

Top Speed of the 1987 F40 equals the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 6.2 V8 Supercharged C8 (212 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1987 Ferrari F40 2.9 V8 then how about the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 6.2 V8 Supercharged C8 (212 mph), the 2017 McLaren 720S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (212 mph), or the 2005 Pagani Zonda F (214 mph).

Related Links:

1987 F40 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ferrari

Car Comparison