Performance Review: Ford Falcon 4th Gen 429 Cobra Jet V-8 4-speed - [1970]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Falcon Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Falcon 4th Gen 429 Cobra Jet V-8 4-speed is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1970. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS and the 1970 Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8.This particular Ford Falcon has a 7033cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Falcon 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 Falcon's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon 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 1705 kgs (3758 lbs) this makes the Ford Falcon 4th Gen 429 Cobra Jet V-8 4-speed in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Falcon shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 7033cc 16V V8 engine produces 370 bhp (275 kW) @ 5400 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (348 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 450 lb-ft (610.1 Nm) @ 3400 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 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 Ford Falcon you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2009 Mercedes S Class 63 L AMG (242.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Falcon.

The Ford Falcon has a Power to weight ratio of 217.0 bhp per ton and 263.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1970 Falcon competing with the 2009 Mercedes S Class 63 L AMG (242.0 bhp per ton) or the 1971 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 454 425bhp (241.8 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 Ford Falcon generating around 263.9 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 2008 Wiesmann GT MF4 (288.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Porsche 911 Turbo 997 (288.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.3 secs, this made the Ford Falcon 4th Gen 429 Cobra Jet V-8 4-speed as fast as 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 or the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTI 2.0 Turbo DSG (6.10 secs). This Ford Falcon 4th Gen 429 Cobra Jet V-8 4-speed is also faster than the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (6.20 secs) the and the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (6.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Falcon and the 1993 Nissan Skyline R33 GTR

When talking about the performance of the Ford Falcon on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.57 secs @ 100.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Nissan Skyline R33 GTR (13.51 secs), the 2012 Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 (13.52 secs), and the 1993 Toyota Supra 3.0 Turbo Auto (13.53 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1970 version of the Ford Falcon 4th Gen 429 Cobra Jet V-8 4-speed has a maximum speed of 133mph.

Top Speed of the 1970 Falcon equals the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (144 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1970 Ford Falcon 4th Gen 429 Cobra Jet V-8 4-speed then how about the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (144 mph), the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (144 mph), or the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (144 mph).

Related Links:

1970 Falcon Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison