Performance Review: Pontiac GTO 6.4L V8 - [1966]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Pontiac GTO Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Pontiac GTO 6.4L 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 Pontiac GTO has a 6362cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The GTO 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 GTO'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 1613 kgs (3556 lbs) this makes the Pontiac GTO 6.4L V8 in the same weight category as the 2021 Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae Roadster 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 6362cc 16V V8 engine produces 365 bhp (272 kW) @ 5200 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 424 lb-ft (574.8 Nm) @ 3600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2007 Mercedes C Class AMG Estate (251.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Pontiac GTO.

The Pontiac GTO has a Power to weight ratio of 226.2 bhp per ton and 262.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1966 GTO competing with the 2007 Mercedes C Class AMG Estate (251.2 bhp per ton) or the 2005 Audi A4 RS4 4.2 V8 (250.9 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 GTO generating around 262.8 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 2013 Mercedes E Class 63 AMG (287.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2021 McLaren Artura 3.0 V6 Turbo Hybrid (287.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.2 secs, this made the Pontiac GTO 6.4L V8 as fast as the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (7.90 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps Sportshift (7.90 secs) the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TDI (7.90 secs) the or the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (7.90 secs). This Pontiac GTO 6.4L V8 is also faster than 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 and the 2007 Fiat Bravo 1.9 Sport Multijet (8.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the GTO and the 1951 Jaguar C Type 3.4L

When talking about the performance of the Pontiac GTO on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.55 secs @ 100.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1951 Jaguar C Type 3.4L (13.50 secs), the 1993 Nissan Skyline R33 GTR (13.51 secs), and the 2012 Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 (13.52 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1966 version of the Pontiac GTO 6.4L V8 has a maximum speed of 120mph.

Top Speed of the 1966 GTO equals the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (131 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1966 Pontiac GTO 6.4L V8 then how about the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (131 mph), the 2011 Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo (131 mph), or the 2011 Abarth 500 Essessee 1.4 Turbo (131 mph).

Related Links:

1966 GTO Rivals List.

A Brief History of Pontiac

Car Comparison