Performance Review: Aston-Martin DB4 GT Zagato - [1959]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Aston-Martin DB4 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Aston-Martin DB4 GT Zagato is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1959. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 3 and the 1959 Aston-Martin DB4 GT.This particular Aston-Martin DB4 has a 3670cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The DB4 shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the DB4'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 1251 kgs (2757 lbs) this makes the Aston-Martin DB4 GT Zagato in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

The Aston-Martin DB4 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 3670cc 12V St6 engine produces 314 bhp (234 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 278 lb-ft (376.9 Nm) @ 5400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Aston-Martin DB4 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2017 Mercedes S Class 65 AMG Cabriolet 6.0 V12 (275.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Aston-Martin DB4.

The Aston-Martin DB4 has a Power to weight ratio of 250.9 bhp per ton and 222.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1959 DB4 competing with the 2017 Mercedes S Class 65 AMG Cabriolet 6.0 V12 (275.3 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Mercedes S Class 65 AMG Coupe 6.0 V12 (275.3 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 Aston-Martin DB4 generating around 222.2 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 2003 Audi A8 4.0 TDI Quattro (246.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2022 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition Touring 3.0 xDrive (246.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.3 secs, this made the Aston-Martin DB4 GT Zagato as fast as the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the or the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (6.10 secs). This Aston-Martin DB4 GT Zagato is also faster than the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (6.20 secs) the and the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (6.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the DB4 and the 1966 Jaguar E Type 2+2 4.2L

When talking about the performance of the Aston-Martin DB4 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.99 secs @ 105.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1966 Jaguar E Type 2+2 4.2L (12.93 secs), the 1966 Ferrari 365 California 4.4 V12 (12.93 secs), and the 1998 Mercedes C Class 55 AMG (12.94 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1959 version of the Aston-Martin DB4 GT Zagato has a maximum speed of 153mph.

Top Speed of the 1959 DB4 equals the 1999 Porsche Boxster 3.2 S 260 (164 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1959 Aston-Martin DB4 GT Zagato then how about the 1999 Porsche Boxster 3.2 S 260 (164 mph), the 1977 Lamborghini Countach LP400S (164 mph), or the 1967 Ford GT 40 (164 mph).

Related Links:

1959 DB4 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Aston-Martin

Car Comparison