Performance Review: Pontiac GTO 6.0 V8 - [2004]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Pontiac GTO Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Pontiac GTO 6.0 V8 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2004. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 and the 2005 SSC Aero SC 8T 6.3L.This particular Pontiac GTO has a 5970cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The GTO 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 GTO'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 1677 kgs (3697 lbs) this makes the Pontiac GTO 6.0 V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Pontiac GTO shares the same bhp with the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (380 bhp)

In terms of power the 5970cc 16V V8 engine produces 400 bhp (298 kW) @ 5200 rpm similar to the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (380 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 400 lb-ft (542.3 Nm) @ 4000 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 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (406 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2020 Maserati Levante Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (263.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Pontiac GTO.

The Pontiac GTO has a Power to weight ratio of 238.5 bhp per ton and 238.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2004 GTO competing with the 2020 Maserati Levante Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (263.5 bhp per ton) or the 2020 Audi TT RS 2.0 Turbo (263.5 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 Pontiac GTO generating around 238.5 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 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 390 4 Speed (263.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Bentley Continental SuperSports 6.0 W12 (263.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.2 secs, this made the Pontiac GTO 6.0 V8 as fast as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 Turbo FL5 (5.00 secs) the or the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (5.00 secs). This Pontiac GTO 6.0 V8 is also faster than the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger RT 5.7 V8 (5.10 secs) the and the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the GTO and the 2009 Jaguar XF 4.2 V8 Supercharged

When talking about the performance of the Pontiac GTO on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.15 secs @ 104.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Jaguar XF 4.2 V8 Supercharged (13.09 secs), the 2016 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Sportback (13.09 secs), and the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Sport Coupe 1st Gen (13.11 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2004 version of the Pontiac GTO 6.0 V8 has a maximum speed of 180mph.

Top Speed of the 2004 GTO equals the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (191 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2004 Pontiac GTO 6.0 V8 then how about the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (191 mph), the 2022 BMW 4 Series M4 CSL 3.0 Twin Turbo G82 (191 mph), or the 2021 Nissan NSX Type S 3.5L V6 (191 mph).

Related Links:

2004 GTO Rivals List.

A Brief History of Pontiac

Car Comparison