1971 Pontiac Tempest GT-37 6.6 V8 Review and Performance Comparison

Pontiac Tempest Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 1971 Pontiac Tempest GT-37 6.6 V8 is a powered by a Petrol V 8. This variant of the Pontiac Tempest GT-37 6.6 V8 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out around 1971. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1971 Chevrolet Corvette C3 ZR2 Stingray 7.4 V8 Convertible and the 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351 5.7 V8.

This particular Pontiac Tempest has a 6554cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant driven by the Pontiac Rear Wheel Drive system.

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

The Tempest 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 Tempest'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 1715 kgs (3780 lbs) places the Pontiac Tempest GT-37 6.6 V8 in a similar weight category as the 2024 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and the excellent 2024 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Turbo Convertible, give or take 50kg.

The Pontiac Tempest shares the same bhp with the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR RC (300 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 6554cc 16 valve, V 8 engine produces around 300 bhp (223 kW) @ 4800 rpm which is comparable to the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR RC (300 bhp) and also the 2024 BMW 1 Series M135 xDrive (296 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V 8 throws out 400 lb-ft (542.3 Nm) @ 3200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2025 Ford Mustang GT Fastback (418 lb-ft) or the 2025 Toyota Supra A90 Final Edition (421 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 1971 Pontiac Tempest in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 1985 BMW 5 Series M5 E28 (199.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Pontiac Tempest.

The Pontiac Tempest has a power to weight ratio of 174.9 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 1971 Tempest GT-37 6.6 V8 means you're competing with the 1985 BMW 5 Series M5 E28 (199.8 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 1969 Bristol 411 6.3 V8 (199.8 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 Pontiac Tempest GT-37 6.6 V8 generates around 233.2 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 2013 BMW 4 Series M4 (258.2 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2021 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition 3.0 Bi Turbo xDrive G80 (258.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Pontiac Tempest GT-37 6.6 V8 can accelerate 0–60mph in 7.90 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 8.2 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Pontiac Tempest GT-37 6.6 V8 include the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (7.90 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TDI (7.90 secs).

The V 8 engine of the Pontiac Tempest GT-37 6.6 V8 ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2011 Citroen DS5 1.6 THP 200 (8.00 secs) and the 2009 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (8.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Pontiac Tempest GT-37 6.6 V8 and the Mercedes EQE SUV 500 4MATIC

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 1971 Pontiac Tempest can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.51 secs with a trap speed around 93.8 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Mercedes EQE SUV 500 4MATIC (14.52 seconds @ 93.8 mph) and a close race between the Fiat Coupe 2.0 20V Turbo (14.52 seconds @ 93.8 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 1971 version of the Pontiac Tempest GT-37 6.6 V8 has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 1971 Tempest equals the Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 454 425bhp (129 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 1971 Pontiac Tempest GT-37 6.6 V8 then there's the slightly slower the Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 454 425bhp (129 mph) or how about the impressive MG Maestro 2.0 Turbo (129 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 1971 Tempest Rivals List.
• 1971 Tempest: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Pontiac
• Compare the 1971 Pontiac Tempest