Performance Review: Lamborghini Islero 3.9L V12 - [1968]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lamborghini Islero Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lamborghini Islero 3.9L V12 is the 5 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 Lamborghini Islero 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 Islero 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 Islero'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 1268 kgs (2795 lbs) this makes the Lamborghini Islero 3.9L V12 in the same weight category as the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Lamborghini Islero 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 320 bhp (238 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 275 lb-ft (372.8 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2009 Bentley Continental SuperSports 6.0 W12 (277.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lamborghini Islero.

The Lamborghini Islero has a Power to weight ratio of 252.3 bhp per ton and 216.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1968 Islero competing with the 2009 Bentley Continental SuperSports 6.0 W12 (277.2 bhp per ton) or the 2010 BMW 3 Series M3 E92 GTS (276.6 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 Islero generating around 216.8 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 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello (241.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 PDK 992 (241.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.1 secs, this made the Lamborghini Islero 3.9L V12 as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the or the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs). This Lamborghini Islero 3.9L V12 is also faster than the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the and the 2015 Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 Turbo 250 (6.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Islero and the 1978 BMW M1 3.5 2d Manual

When talking about the performance of the Lamborghini Islero on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.97 secs @ 105.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1978 BMW M1 3.5 2d Manual (12.91 secs), the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire 3.2 V6 SRT-6 2d Auto (12.91 secs), and the 1964 Pontiac GTO 6.4 V8 (12.91 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1968 version of the Lamborghini Islero 3.9L V12 has a maximum speed of 165mph.

Top Speed of the 1968 Islero equals the 2018 Jaguar F-Pace SVR 5.0 V8 Supercharged (176 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1968 Lamborghini Islero 3.9L V12 then how about the 2018 Jaguar F-Pace SVR 5.0 V8 Supercharged (176 mph), the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio 2.9 V6 Bi Turbo (176 mph), or the 2015 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S 4.8 V8 (176 mph).

Related Links:

1968 Islero Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lamborghini

Car Comparison