Performance Review: Pontiac Firebird 6.6L Trans Am - [1979]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Pontiac Firebird Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Pontiac Firebird 6.6L Trans Am is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1979. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1979 DeTomaso Pantera GT5 S 5.8 V8 and the 1980 Lotus Esprit S2.2 Turbo.This particular Pontiac Firebird has a 6555cc 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 1623 kgs (3578 lbs) this makes the Pontiac Firebird 6.6L Trans Am in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Pontiac Firebird shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 6555cc 16V V8 engine produces 220 bhp (164 kW) @ 4000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 319 lb-ft (432.5 Nm) @ 2800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 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 2011 Audi A7 3.0 TDI 310 (160.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Pontiac Firebird.

The Pontiac Firebird has a Power to weight ratio of 135.5 bhp per ton and 196.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1979 Firebird competing with the 2011 Audi A7 3.0 TDI 310 (160.5 bhp per ton) or the 2000 Renault Clio 2.0 16V 172 Cup (160.5 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 196.5 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 2009 Ford Focus 2.5 RS (221.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2002 Audi A6 RS6 Avant 4.2 V8 Twin Turbo (221.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.1 secs, this made the Pontiac Firebird 6.6L Trans Am as fast as the 2015 Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Coupe (6.90 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 V6 Supercharged (6.90 secs) the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.90 secs) the or the 2009 Ford Fiesta ST185 (6.90 secs). This Pontiac Firebird 6.6L Trans Am is also faster than the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the and the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Firebird and the 2001 BMW X5 4.6is V8

When talking about the performance of the Pontiac Firebird on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.89 secs @ 86.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2001 BMW X5 4.6is V8 (15.81 secs), the 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe 6.7 V12 (15.82 secs), and the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GSR Ralliart Sportback SST (15.82 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1979 version of the Pontiac Firebird 6.6L Trans Am has a maximum speed of 134mph.

Top Speed of the 1979 Firebird equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (145 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1979 Pontiac Firebird 6.6L Trans Am then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (145 mph), the 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 350 Roadster 3.5 V6 (145 mph), or the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD (145 mph).

Related Links:

1979 Firebird Rivals List.

A Brief History of Pontiac

Car Comparison