Performance Review: Plymouth AAR Cuda 340 V8 - [1970]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Plymouth AAR Cuda Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Plymouth AAR Cuda 340 V8 is the 4 speed / Manual 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 Plymouth AAR Cuda has a 5563cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The AAR Cuda 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 AAR Cuda'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 1594 kgs (3514 lbs) this makes the Plymouth AAR Cuda 340 V8 in the same weight category as the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 or the give or take 50kg.

The Plymouth AAR Cuda shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 5563cc 16V V8 engine produces 290 bhp (216 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 345 lb-ft (467.7 Nm) @ 3400 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 Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2018 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (206.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Plymouth AAR Cuda.

The Plymouth AAR Cuda has a Power to weight ratio of 181.9 bhp per ton and 216.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1970 AAR Cuda competing with the 2018 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (206.9 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo (206.9 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 Plymouth AAR Cuda generating around 216.4 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 1970 Ford Falcon 4th Gen 351 V8 4-speed (241.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (241.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.2 secs, this made the Plymouth AAR Cuda 340 V8 as fast as the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the or the 2015 Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 Turbo 250 (6.00 secs). This Plymouth AAR Cuda 340 V8 is also faster than the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the and the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (6.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the AAR Cuda and the 2004 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8

When talking about the performance of the Plymouth AAR Cuda on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.4 secs @ 95.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 (14.35 secs), the 1960 Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop (14.37 secs), and the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (14.37 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1970 version of the Plymouth AAR Cuda 340 V8 has a maximum speed of 137mph.

Top Speed of the 1970 AAR Cuda equals the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1970 Plymouth AAR Cuda 340 V8 then how about the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph), the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Woks 2.0 Turbo (148 mph), or the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Clubman (148 mph).

Related Links:

1970 AAR Cuda Rivals List.

A Brief History of Plymouth

Car Comparison