Performance Review: Pontiac Firebird 455 4.7 L V8 - [1971]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Pontiac Firebird Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Pontiac Firebird 455 4.7 L V8 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1971. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1971 Chevrolet Corvette C3 ZR2 Stingray 7.4 V8 Convertible and the 1971 Ford Mustang 351 5.8 V8 Convertible.This particular Pontiac Firebird has a 7467cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Firebird 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 Firebird'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 1450 kgs (3196 lbs) this makes the Pontiac Firebird 455 4.7 L V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 7467cc 16V V8 engine produces 335 bhp (249 kW) @ 4800 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (348 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 500 lb-ft (677.9 Nm) @ 3000 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 Pontiac Firebird you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD Performance (256.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Pontiac Firebird.

The Pontiac Firebird has a Power to weight ratio of 231.0 bhp per ton and 344.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1971 Firebird competing with the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD Performance (256.0 bhp per ton) or the 2019 Jaguar F Type Supercharged 5.0 V8 (255.9 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 Pontiac Firebird generating around 344.8 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 2004 Noble M400 3.0 V6 (367.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1998 Mercedes CLK GTR 6.9 V12 (367.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.3 secs, this made the Pontiac Firebird 455 4.7 L V8 as fast as the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (7.10 secs) the or the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (7.10 secs). This Pontiac Firebird 455 4.7 L V8 is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the and the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Firebird and the 1986 Porsche 928 S4 5.0L V8

When talking about the performance of the Pontiac Firebird on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.48 secs @ 101.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1986 Porsche 928 S4 5.0L V8 (13.42 secs), the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS 2.0 Turbo (13.43 secs), and the 1999 Audi A6 S6 4.2 Quattro (13.44 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1971 version of the Pontiac Firebird 455 4.7 L V8 has a maximum speed of 125mph.

Top Speed of the 1971 Firebird equals the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1971 Pontiac Firebird 455 4.7 L V8 then how about the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph), the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (136 mph), or the 1992 Subaru Legacy 2.0 Turbo (136 mph).

Related Links:

1971 Firebird Rivals List.

A Brief History of Pontiac

Car Comparison