Performance Review: Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet 7.0 V8 - [1968]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Mustang Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet 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 Ford Mustang has a 7010cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Mustang 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 Mustang'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 1475 kgs (3251 lbs) this makes the Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet 7.0 V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 7010cc 16V V8 engine produces 335 bhp (249 kW) @ 5400 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 V8 throws out 440 lb-ft (596.5 Nm) @ 3400 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 Ford Mustang you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1999 Mercedes SL Class 73 AMG V12 R129 (252.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Mustang.

The Ford Mustang has a Power to weight ratio of 227.1 bhp per ton and 298.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1968 Mustang competing with the 1999 Mercedes SL Class 73 AMG V12 R129 (252.1 bhp per ton) or the 2015 Lexus GS -F 5.0 V8 (252.0 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 Mustang generating around 298.3 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 2011 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 (323.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP720-4 50th Anniversario (323.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.7 secs, this made the Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet 7.0 V8 as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs) the or the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs). This Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet 7.0 V8 is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (5.60 secs) the and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mustang and the 2009 Volkswagen-VW Scirocco R 2.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Ford Mustang on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.39 secs @ 102.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Volkswagen-VW Scirocco R 2.0 Turbo (13.33 secs), the 1999 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG (13.33 secs), and the 1994 Toyota Celica GT Four ST205 (13.34 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1968 version of the Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet 7.0 V8 has a maximum speed of 127mph.

Top Speed of the 1968 Mustang equals the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (138 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1968 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet 7.0 V8 then how about the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (138 mph), the 2008 Audi A3 2.0tdi Quattro S-Line (138 mph), or the 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V Renaultsport Trophy 182 (138 mph).

Related Links:

1968 Mustang Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison