Performance Review: Pontiac Tempest GT-37 6.6 V8 - [1971]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Pontiac Tempest Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Pontiac Tempest GT-37 6.6 V8 is the 4 speed / Manual 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 Tempest has a 6554cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Tempest 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 Tempest'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 1715 kgs (3780 lbs) this makes the Pontiac Tempest GT-37 6.6 V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Pontiac Tempest shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 6554cc 16V V8 engine produces 300 bhp (223 kW) @ 4800 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 400 lb-ft (542.3 Nm) @ 3200 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 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (406 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1969 Bristol 411 6.3 V8 (199.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Pontiac Tempest.

The Pontiac Tempest has a Power to weight ratio of 174.9 bhp per ton and 233.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1971 Tempest competing with the 1969 Bristol 411 6.3 V8 (199.8 bhp per ton) or the 1985 BMW 5 Series M5 E28 (199.8 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 Tempest generating around 233.2 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 BMW 4 Series M4 (258.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2021 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition 3.0 Bi Turbo xDrive G80 (258.2 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 Tempest GT-37 6.6 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 Tempest GT-37 6.6 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 Tempest and the 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport 2d

When talking about the performance of the Pontiac Tempest on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.58 secs @ 93.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport 2d (14.52 secs), the 1984 BMW 6 Series M635 CSi E24 (14.53 secs), and the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i 3.0 Cabrio Turbo F23 (14.53 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1971 version of the Pontiac Tempest GT-37 6.6 V8 has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 1971 Tempest equals the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1971 Pontiac Tempest GT-37 6.6 V8 then how about the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph), the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (141 mph), or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (141 mph).

Related Links:

1971 Tempest Rivals List.

A Brief History of Pontiac

Car Comparison