Performance Review: Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 W30 - [1970]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Oldsmobile Cutlass Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 W30 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1970. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS and the 1970 Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8.This particular Oldsmobile Cutlass has a 7453cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Cutlass 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 Cutlass'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 1703 kgs (3754 lbs) this makes the Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 W30 in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Oldsmobile Cutlass shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 7453cc 16V V8 engine produces 370 bhp (275 kW) @ 5200 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (348 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 500 lb-ft (677.9 Nm) @ 3600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (524 lb-ft) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (479 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1970 Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8 (242.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Oldsmobile Cutlass.

The Oldsmobile Cutlass has a Power to weight ratio of 217.2 bhp per ton and 293.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1970 Cutlass competing with the 1970 Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8 (242.2 bhp per ton) or the 2009 Bentley Continental GTC Speed (242.2 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 Oldsmobile Cutlass generating around 293.5 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 2014 Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous Performance (318.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Aston-Martin Vanquish 5.9 V12 RS (318.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.9 secs, this made the Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 W30 as fast as the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (5.70 secs) the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi 2.0 Turbo Clubsport (5.70 secs) the or the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo (5.70 secs). This Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 W30 is also faster than the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs) the and the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Cutlass and the 2011 Infiniti FX 50 5.0 V8

When talking about the performance of the Oldsmobile Cutlass on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.73 secs @ 99.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2011 Infiniti FX 50 5.0 V8 (13.67 secs), the 2017 Dodge Challenger RT 5.7 V8 (13.67 secs), and the 2017 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo (13.67 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1970 version of the Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 W30 has a maximum speed of 116mph.

Top Speed of the 1970 Cutlass equals the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (127 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 W30 then how about the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (127 mph), the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (127 mph), or the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer (127 mph).

Related Links:

1970 Cutlass Rivals List.

A Brief History of Oldsmobile

Car Comparison