Performance Review: Ford Torino 1st Gen Cobra Hardtop Ram Air - [1969]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Torino Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Torino 1st Gen Cobra Hardtop Ram Air is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1969. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS and the 1969 McLaren M6 GT 5.7 V8.This particular Ford Torino has a 6997cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Torino 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 Torino'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 1648 kgs (3633 lbs) this makes the Ford Torino 1st Gen Cobra Hardtop Ram Air in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 6997cc 16V V8 engine produces 335 bhp (249 kW) @ 5200 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 445 lb-ft (603.3 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 Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2015 BMW 7 Series 750i xDrive 4.4 V8 Twin Turbo (228.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Torino.

The Ford Torino has a Power to weight ratio of 203.2 bhp per ton and 270.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1969 Torino competing with the 2015 BMW 7 Series 750i xDrive 4.4 V8 Twin Turbo (228.2 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Mercedes A Class 45 AMG 2.0 Turbo (228.2 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 Torino generating around 270.0 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 1999 Ariel Atom 300 Supercharged (294.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2015 Aston-Martin Vantage GT3 5.9 V12 (294.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.5 secs, this made the Ford Torino 1st Gen Cobra Hardtop Ram Air as fast as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs) the or the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs). This Ford Torino 1st Gen Cobra Hardtop Ram Air is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the and the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Torino and the 1998 Honda NSX 3.2 V6

When talking about the performance of the Ford Torino on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.88 secs @ 98.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1998 Honda NSX 3.2 V6 (13.81 secs), the 2013 Audi A8 4.2 TDi Quattro (13.81 secs), and the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra 265 (13.81 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1969 version of the Ford Torino 1st Gen Cobra Hardtop Ram Air has a maximum speed of 121mph.

Top Speed of the 1969 Torino equals the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (132 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1969 Ford Torino 1st Gen Cobra Hardtop Ram Air then how about the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (132 mph), the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (132 mph), or the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (132 mph).

Related Links:

1969 Torino Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison