Performance Review: Studebaker Golden Hawk 5.8L V8 352 - [1956]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Studebaker Golden Hawk Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Studebaker Golden Hawk 5.8L V8 352 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1956. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1957 Chevrolet Corvette C1 283 Convertible and the 1957 Mercedes 300 SL II Roadster W198.This particular Studebaker Golden Hawk has a 5768cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Golden Hawk 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 Golden Hawk'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 1524 kgs (3359 lbs) this makes the Studebaker Golden Hawk 5.8L V8 352 in the same weight category as the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS Assetto 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The Studebaker Golden Hawk shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 5768cc 16V V8 engine produces 275 bhp (205 kW) @ 4600 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 380 lb-ft (515.2 Nm) @ 2800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2006 Ford Mustang GT-H 4.6 V8 Hertz Edition (205.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Studebaker Golden Hawk.

The Studebaker Golden Hawk has a Power to weight ratio of 180.4 bhp per ton and 249.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1956 Golden Hawk competing with the 2006 Ford Mustang GT-H 4.6 V8 Hertz Edition (205.4 bhp per ton) or the 2009 Ford Focus 2.5 RS (205.1 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 Studebaker Golden Hawk generating around 249.3 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 2014 Mercedes GT AMG (274.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 1970 Ford Torino 2nd Gen Cobra SportsRoof Boss (274.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.9 secs, this made the Studebaker Golden Hawk 5.8L V8 352 as fast as the 2009 Citroen DS3 1.6 HDi 110 (9.60 secs) the 2008 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (9.60 secs) the 2003 Skoda Fabia 1.9 vRS 130bhp (9.60 secs) the or the 1993 Bentley Brooklands 4d (9.60 secs). This Studebaker Golden Hawk 5.8L V8 352 is also faster than the 2005 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (9.70 secs) the 1996 BMW 3 Series 318is 4d Saloon E46 (9.70 secs) the 1994 Peugeot 106 Rallye (9.70 secs) the and the 1984 Peugeot 604 GTi 2.8 V6 (9.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Golden Hawk and the 1986 Ferrari 412 i 4.9 V12

When talking about the performance of the Studebaker Golden Hawk on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.63 secs @ 93.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1986 Ferrari 412 i 4.9 V12 (14.56 secs), the 1997 Audi A4 S4 2.7T Quattro (14.56 secs), and the 2010 Alfa-Romeo Giulietta 235 Cloverleaf (14.56 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1956 version of the Studebaker Golden Hawk 5.8L V8 352 has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 1956 Golden Hawk 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 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk 5.8L V8 352 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:

1956 Golden Hawk Rivals List.

A Brief History of Studebaker

Car Comparison