Performance Review: Maserati Bora 4.7 V8 - [1971]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Maserati Bora Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Maserati Bora 4.7 V8 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1971. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1971 Chevrolet Corvette C3 ZR2 Stingray 7.4 V8 Convertible and the 1971 Ford Mustang 351 5.8 V8 Convertible.This particular Maserati Bora has a 4719cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Bora 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 Bora'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 1550 kgs (3417 lbs) this makes the Maserati Bora 4.7 V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 or the give or take 50kg.

The Maserati Bora shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 4719cc 16V V8 engine produces 306 bhp (228 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 339 lb-ft (459.6 Nm) @ 4200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (317 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2015 Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 Turbo 272 (222.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Maserati Bora.

The Maserati Bora has a Power to weight ratio of 197.4 bhp per ton and 218.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1971 Bora competing with the 2015 Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 Turbo 272 (222.4 bhp per ton) or the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (222.4 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 Maserati Bora generating around 218.7 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 2009 Jaguar XF R 5.0 V8 Supercharged (243.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Jaguar XJ V8 SuperSport (243.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.7 secs, this made the Maserati Bora 4.7 V8 as fast as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the or the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs). This Maserati Bora 4.7 V8 is also faster than the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (6.60 secs) the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback (6.60 secs) the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (6.60 secs) the and the 2013 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Bora and the 1965 Ford Mustang Hardtop 289 4.7 V8

When talking about the performance of the Maserati Bora on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.02 secs @ 97.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1965 Ford Mustang Hardtop 289 4.7 V8 (13.96 secs), the 1965 Ford Mustang 289 Fastback 4.7 V8 (13.96 secs), and the 1992 BMW 8 Series 850 CSi 5.6 V12 E31 (14.00 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1971 version of the Maserati Bora 4.7 V8 has a maximum speed of 168mph.

Top Speed of the 1971 Bora equals the 2020 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 PDK 982 (179 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1971 Maserati Bora 4.7 V8 then how about the 2020 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 PDK 982 (179 mph), the 2017 Maserati Quattroporte S Q4 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo (179 mph), or the 2017 Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 (179 mph).

Related Links:

1971 Bora Rivals List.

A Brief History of Maserati

Car Comparison