Performance Review: Lamborghini Espada S II - [1969]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lamborghini Espada Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lamborghini Espada S II is the 5 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 Lamborghini Espada has a 3929cc 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 Espada 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 Espada'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 1700 kgs (3747 lbs) this makes the Lamborghini Espada S II in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 3929cc 24V V12 engine produces 350 bhp (260 kW) @ 7500 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 290 lb-ft (393.1 Nm) @ 5500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1967 DeTomaso Mangusta 4.7 V8 (230.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lamborghini Espada.

The Lamborghini Espada has a Power to weight ratio of 205.8 bhp per ton and 170.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1969 Espada competing with the 1967 DeTomaso Mangusta 4.7 V8 (230.7 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Mercedes SLK Class 55 AMG (230.5 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 Lamborghini Espada generating around 170.5 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 1995 Maserati Quattroporte 2.8 V6 (195.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Lotus Exige Cup 260 1.8 Supercharged (195.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.1 secs, this made the Lamborghini Espada S II as fast as the 2017 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3 TDCi 185PS (7.80 secs) the 2015 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-2 TDCi 185PS (7.80 secs) the 2007 Lexus IS 250 AWD (7.80 secs) the or the 2001 MG ZT 2.5 V6 190 (7.80 secs). This Lamborghini Espada S II is also faster than the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (7.90 secs) the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TDI (7.90 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps Sportshift (7.90 secs) the and the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (7.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Espada and the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Lamborghini Espada on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.81 secs @ 99.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (13.77 secs), the 1971 Maserati Bora 4.7 V8 (13.78 secs), and the 2017 Audi A6 3.0T Competition (13.78 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1969 version of the Lamborghini Espada S II has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 1969 Espada equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1969 Lamborghini Espada S II then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

1969 Espada Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lamborghini

Car Comparison