Performance Review: Pontiac GTO 6.4 V8 - [1964]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Pontiac GTO Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Pontiac GTO 6.4 V8 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1964. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the 1964 Jaguar XJ 13 5.0 V12.This particular Pontiac GTO has a 6362cc 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, Cabriolet 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 1542 kgs (3399 lbs) this makes the Pontiac GTO 6.4 V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Pontiac GTO shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 6362cc 16V V8 engine produces 325 bhp (242 kW) @ 4800 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (348 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 428 lb-ft (580.2 Nm) @ 3200 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 Pontiac GTO you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Porsche Boxster S 3.4L (235.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Pontiac GTO.

The Pontiac GTO has a Power to weight ratio of 210.7 bhp per ton and 277.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1964 GTO competing with the 2012 Porsche Boxster S 3.4L (235.6 bhp per ton) or the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (235.0 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 277.5 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 1991 Jaguar XJ 220 (302.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 (302.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.1 secs, this made the Pontiac GTO 6.4 V8 as fast as the 2015 Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Coupe (6.90 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 V6 Supercharged (6.90 secs) the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.90 secs) the or the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (6.90 secs). This Pontiac GTO 6.4 V8 is also faster than the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the and the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the GTO and the 2009 Infiniti G37 3.7 V6 S

When talking about the performance of the Pontiac GTO on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.72 secs @ 99.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Infiniti G37 3.7 V6 S (13.66 secs), the 1985 BMW 5 Series M5 E28 (13.66 secs), and the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo DSG (13.66 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1964 version of the Pontiac GTO 6.4 V8 has a maximum speed of 122mph.

Top Speed of the 1964 GTO equals the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (133 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1964 Pontiac GTO 6.4 V8 then how about the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (133 mph), the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (133 mph), or the 2009 Citroen DS3 1.6 THP 150 (133 mph).

Related Links:

1964 GTO Rivals List.

A Brief History of Pontiac

Car Comparison