Performance Review: Dodge Dart Phoenix 5.9 V8 360 Hardtop - [1960]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Dodge Dart Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Dodge Dart Phoenix 5.9 V8 360 Hardtop is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1960. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1961 Jaguar E Type 3.8l Coupe and the 1961 Jaguar E Type 3.8L Roadster.This particular Dodge Dart has a 5913cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Dart 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 Dart'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 1720 kgs (3791 lbs) this makes the Dodge Dart Phoenix 5.9 V8 360 Hardtop in the same weight category as the 2022 Mercedes AMG One 1.6 V6 Turbo Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The Dodge Dart shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 5913cc 16V V8 engine produces 310 bhp (231 kW) @ 4800 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 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 435 lb-ft (589.7 Nm) @ 2800 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 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2009 Ford Focus 2.5 RS (205.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Dodge Dart.

The Dodge Dart has a Power to weight ratio of 180.2 bhp per ton and 252.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1960 Dart competing with the 2009 Ford Focus 2.5 RS (205.1 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Porsche Macan 3.6 Turbo (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 Dodge Dart generating around 252.9 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 2015 Audi A8 S8 Plus 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (277.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1964 Pontiac GTO 6.4 V8 (277.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.4 secs, this made the Dodge Dart Phoenix 5.9 V8 360 Hardtop as fast as the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the or the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs). This Dodge Dart Phoenix 5.9 V8 360 Hardtop is also faster than the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (7.30 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (7.30 secs) the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD DSG 2.0 Turbo Diesel (7.30 secs) the and the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Insignia 2.0 SIDI Turbo 4x4 (7.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Dart and the 2017 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo Coupe

When talking about the performance of the Dodge Dart on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.61 secs @ 93.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo Coupe (14.54 secs), the 1986 Ferrari 412 i 4.9 V12 (14.56 secs), and the 1997 Audi A4 S4 2.7T Quattro (14.56 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1960 version of the Dodge Dart Phoenix 5.9 V8 360 Hardtop has a maximum speed of 119mph.

Top Speed of the 1960 Dart equals the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (130 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1960 Dodge Dart Phoenix 5.9 V8 360 Hardtop then how about the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (130 mph), the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (130 mph), or the 2017 BMW 2 Series M240i (130 mph).

Related Links:

1960 Dart Rivals List.

A Brief History of Dodge

Car Comparison