Performance Review: Pontiac GTO The Judge 6.5L V8 - [1969]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Pontiac GTO Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Pontiac GTO The Judge 6.5L V8 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1969. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS and the 1969 McLaren M6 GT 5.7 V8.This particular Pontiac GTO has a 6548cc 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 1590 kgs (3505 lbs) this makes the Pontiac GTO The Judge 6.5L 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 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 6548cc 16V V8 engine produces 366 bhp (272 kW) @ 5100 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (348 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 445 lb-ft (603.3 Nm) @ 3600 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 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 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 2017 Dodge Challenger 392 Hemi Scat Pack Shaker (255.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Pontiac GTO.

The Pontiac GTO has a Power to weight ratio of 230.1 bhp per ton and 279.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1969 GTO competing with the 2017 Dodge Challenger 392 Hemi Scat Pack Shaker (255.1 bhp per ton) or the 1999 Ford Mustang FR 500 (255.0 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 279.8 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 2017 Mercedes S Class 63 AMG Saloon (304.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1998 Aston-Martin Vantage 600 (304.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.7 secs, this made the Pontiac GTO The Judge 6.5L V8 as fast as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the or the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs). This Pontiac GTO The Judge 6.5L V8 is also faster than the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (6.60 secs) the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback (6.60 secs) the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (6.60 secs) the and the 2013 Peugeot 208 GTi 1.6 Turbo (6.60 secs).

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

When talking about the performance of the Pontiac GTO 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 1969 version of the Pontiac GTO The Judge 6.5L V8 has a maximum speed of 124mph.

Top Speed of the 1969 GTO equals the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1969 Pontiac GTO The Judge 6.5L V8 then how about the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (135 mph).

Related Links:

1969 GTO Rivals List.

A Brief History of Pontiac

Car Comparison