Performance Review: Oldsmobile Toronado 7.4 V8 - [1970]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Oldsmobile Toronado Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Oldsmobile Toronado 7.4 V8 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 Toronado has a 7447cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Toronado 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 Toronado'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 2037 kgs (4490 lbs) this makes the Oldsmobile Toronado 7.4 V8 in the same weight category as the 2022 Ferrari Purosangue 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 7447cc 16V V8 engine produces 375 bhp (279 kW) @ 4600 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (360 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 510 lb-ft (691.4 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid (535 lb-ft) or the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (524 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo G42 (209.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Oldsmobile Toronado.

The Oldsmobile Toronado has a Power to weight ratio of 184.0 bhp per ton and 250.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1970 Toronado competing with the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo G42 (209.0 bhp per ton) or the 2014 Renault Megane RenaultSport 275 Trophy R (208.9 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 Toronado generating around 250.3 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 Jaguar XJ R 575 5.0 V8 Supercharged (275.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30 (275.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.3 secs, this made the Oldsmobile Toronado 7.4 V8 as fast as the 2011 Citroen DS5 1.6 THP 200 (8.00 secs) the 2009 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (8.00 secs) the 2008 Alfa-Romeo Mito 1.4 155 T-Jet Veloce (8.00 secs) the or the 2007 Fiat Bravo 1.9 Sport Multijet (8.00 secs). This Oldsmobile Toronado 7.4 V8 is also faster than the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 2.0 Blue HDI 180 (8.10 secs) the 2008 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth (8.10 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 (8.10 secs) the and the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.0 Turbo SRI (8.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Toronado and the 2017 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Diesel

When talking about the performance of the Oldsmobile Toronado on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.47 secs @ 94.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Diesel (14.41 secs), the 1972 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS (14.42 secs), and the 1998 Audi A6 4.2 Quattro (14.42 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1970 version of the Oldsmobile Toronado 7.4 V8 has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 1970 Toronado equals the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado 7.4 V8 then how about the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph), the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (141 mph), or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (141 mph).

Related Links:

1970 Toronado Rivals List.

A Brief History of Oldsmobile

Car Comparison