Performance Review: Oldsmobile Toronado 7L V8 - [1966]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Oldsmobile Toronado Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Oldsmobile Toronado 7L V8 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1966. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1966 AC Cobra 427 and the 1966 Chevrolet Corvette C2 Stingray 427 425hp.This particular Oldsmobile Toronado has a 6970cc 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 Front Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2118 kgs (4669 lbs) this makes the Oldsmobile Toronado 7L V8 in the same weight category as the 2019 Porsche Taycan 4S 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 6970cc 16V V8 engine produces 385 bhp (287 kW) @ 4800 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 475 lb-ft (644.0 Nm) @ 3200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (460 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 2016 Audi A5 S5 3.0 V6 Turbo (206.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Oldsmobile Toronado.

The Oldsmobile Toronado has a Power to weight ratio of 181.7 bhp per ton and 224.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1966 Toronado competing with the 2016 Audi A5 S5 3.0 V6 Turbo (206.5 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 4Motion 2.0 Turbo (206.3 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 Oldsmobile Toronado generating around 224.2 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 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 396 Sport Coupe 350hp 4speed 1st Gen (248.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2007 Nissan Skyline R35 GTR (248.8 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 7L 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 7L 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 2013 Volvo S60 T6 3.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Oldsmobile Toronado on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.25 secs @ 96.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Volvo S60 T6 3.0 Turbo (14.18 secs), the 2009 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 R DSG (14.20 secs), and the 1998 Subaru Impreza 2.0 Turbo UK - Classic (14.20 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1966 version of the Oldsmobile Toronado 7L V8 has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 1966 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 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado 7L 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:

1966 Toronado Rivals List.

A Brief History of Oldsmobile

Car Comparison