1965 Iso Grifo GL 365 5.4L V8 Review and Performance Comparison

Iso Grifo Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 1965 Iso Grifo GL 365 5.4L V8 is a powered by a Petrol V 8. This variant of the Iso Grifo GL 365 5.4L V8 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out around 1965. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the 1966 AC Cobra 427.

This particular Iso Grifo has a 5354cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant driven by the Iso Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol V 8's include the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Grifo shares its Petrol V 8 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 similar performing cars which share the Grifo's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce or the earlier 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1450 kgs (3196 lbs) places the Iso Grifo GL 365 5.4L V8 in a similar weight category as the 2025 Maserati MCPURA 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo and the excellent 2023 Toyota Supra GR 2.0, give or take 50kg.

The Iso Grifo shares the same bhp with the 2024 Maybach S 580 e EQ Hybrid Technology (362 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 5354cc 16 valve, V 8 engine produces around 360 bhp (268 kW) @ 6200 rpm which is comparable to the 2024 Maybach S 580 e EQ Hybrid Technology (362 bhp) and also the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V 8 throws out 360 lb-ft (488.0 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mercedes S Class 580 e 4MATIC EQ Hybrid Technology (369 lb-ft) or the 2024 Mercedes GT GT 43 (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 1965 Iso Grifo in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 2004 BMW 5 Series M5 V10 4d SMG E60 (273.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Iso Grifo.

The Iso Grifo has a power to weight ratio of 248.2 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 1965 Grifo GL 365 5.4L V8 means you're competing with the 2004 BMW 5 Series M5 V10 4d SMG E60 (273.2 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 2019 BMW 2 Series M2 CS 3.0 Turbo F87 (273.2 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The Iso Grifo GL 365 5.4L V8 generates around 248.2 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 2020 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (273.2 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2012 Lotus Exige S 3.5 V6 (273.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Iso Grifo GL 365 5.4L V8 can accelerate 0–60mph in 6.00 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 6.2 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Iso Grifo GL 365 5.4L V8 include the 2021 Mercedes EQS 580 4MATIC (6.00 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs).

The V 8 engine of the Iso Grifo GL 365 5.4L V8 ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) and the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Iso Grifo GL 365 5.4L V8 and the Ferrari 275 GTB 3.3 V12

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 1965 Iso Grifo can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.95 secs with a trap speed around 105.2 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Ferrari 275 GTB 3.3 V12 (12.96 seconds @ 105.1 mph) and a close race between the Ferrari California 4.3 V8 (12.96 seconds @ 105.1 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. The 1965 version of the Iso Grifo GL 365 5.4L V8 has a maximum speed of 161mph.

Top Speed of the 1965 Grifo equals the Ferrari 308 GT/4 3.0L V8 (160 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 1965 Iso Grifo GL 365 5.4L V8 then there's the slightly slower the Ferrari 308 GT/4 3.0L V8 (160 mph) or how about the impressive Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type RA Spec C - Blobeye (160 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 1965 Grifo Rivals List.
• 1965 Grifo: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Iso
• Compare the 1965 Iso Grifo