Performance Review: Maserati Bora 4.9 V8 - [1974]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Maserati Bora Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Maserati Bora 4.9 V8 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1974. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1974 Lamborghini Countach LP400 and the 1974 Lancia Stratos 2.5 V6.This particular Maserati Bora has a 4930cc 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 1400 kgs (3086 lbs) this makes the Maserati Bora 4.9 V8 in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 4930cc 16V V8 engine produces 316 bhp (235 kW) @ 5500 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 V8 throws out 355 lb-ft (481.3 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 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 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (250.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Maserati Bora.

The Maserati Bora has a Power to weight ratio of 225.7 bhp per ton and 253.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1974 Bora competing with the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (250.7 bhp per ton) or the 2018 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo (250.3 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 253.5 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 2017 Mercedes GT AMG Roadster (278.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2011 Ferrari 458 Spider 4.5 V8 (278.3 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 Maserati Bora 4.9 V8 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 Maserati Bora 4.9 V8 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 Bora and the 1965 Iso Grifo GL 300 5.4L V8

When talking about the performance of the Maserati Bora on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.43 secs @ 101.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1965 Iso Grifo GL 300 5.4L V8 (13.37 secs), the 2015 BMW 3 Series 335d xDrive F30 LCI (13.37 secs), and the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (13.37 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1974 version of the Maserati Bora 4.9 V8 has a maximum speed of 174mph.

Top Speed of the 1974 Bora equals the 2015 Aston-Martin Vantage GT3 5.9 V12 (185 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1974 Maserati Bora 4.9 V8 then how about the 2015 Aston-Martin Vantage GT3 5.9 V12 (185 mph), the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo (185 mph), or the 2012 Maserati GranTurismo Sport 4.8 V8 Automatic (185 mph).

Related Links:

1974 Bora Rivals List.

A Brief History of Maserati

Car Comparison