Performance Review: Rover P5 B 3.5 V8 - [1967]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Rover P5 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Rover P5 B 3.5 V8 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1967. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1968 Dodge Dart Hemi 7.0 V8 and the 1968 Plymouth Road Runner 426 Hemi V8 1st Gen.This particular Rover P5 has a 3528cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The P5 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 P5's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon 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 1587 kgs (3498 lbs) this makes the Rover P5 B 3.5 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 Rover P5 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 3528cc 16V V8 engine produces 184 bhp (137 kW) @ 5200 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 226 lb-ft (306.4 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Rover P5 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1973 Ford Capri RS 3100 (140.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Rover P5.

The Rover P5 has a Power to weight ratio of 115.9 bhp per ton and 142.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1967 P5 competing with the 1973 Ford Capri RS 3100 (140.9 bhp per ton) or the 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 GTi (140.8 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 Rover P5 generating around 142.4 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 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (167.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (167.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 12.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 12.5 secs, this made the Rover P5 B 3.5 V8 as fast as the 1967 Mercedes 200 W114 Sedan Serie 1 (12.10 secs) the 1967 Rover P5 B 3.5 V8 Coupe (12.10 secs) the 1970 Vauxhall-Opel Manta Rallye 1.9 8v (12.20 secs) the or the 1966 Austin-Healey Sprite MK IV AN8 (12.20 secs). This Rover P5 B 3.5 V8 is also faster than the 1970 Vauxhall-Opel Manta Rallye 1.9 8v (12.20 secs) the 1966 Austin-Healey Sprite MK IV AN8 (12.20 secs) the 1955 Austin-Healey 100 M BN2 2.6L (12.20 secs) the and the 1954 Hudson Hornet 308 5L (12.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the P5 and the 2007 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R GT - FN2

When talking about the performance of the Rover P5 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.95 secs @ 80.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R GT - FN2 (16.87 secs), the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTI Performance DSG 2.0 Turbo (16.88 secs), and the 2003 Volvo S40 2.5 T5 Sport (16.88 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1967 version of the Rover P5 B 3.5 V8 has a maximum speed of 115mph.

Top Speed of the 1967 P5 equals the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (126 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1967 Rover P5 B 3.5 V8 then how about the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (126 mph), the , or the 2004 Citroen C2 1.6 VTS 3-5dr (126 mph).

Related Links:

1967 P5 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Rover

Car Comparison