Performance Review: Aston-Martin DB4 1958 - [1958]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Aston-Martin DB4 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Aston-Martin DB4 1958 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1958. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 3 and the 1959 Aston-Martin DB4 GT Zagato.This particular Aston-Martin DB4 has a 3670cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The DB4 shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the DB4'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 1308 kgs (2883 lbs) this makes the Aston-Martin DB4 1958 in the same weight category as the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R or the give or take 50kg.

The Aston-Martin DB4 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 3670cc 12V St6 engine produces 240 bhp (178 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (243 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 240 lb-ft (325.3 Nm) @ 4250 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (236 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Aston-Martin DB4 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1966 Oldsmobile Starfire 7.0 V8 (208.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Aston-Martin DB4.

The Aston-Martin DB4 has a Power to weight ratio of 183.4 bhp per ton and 183.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1958 DB4 competing with the 1966 Oldsmobile Starfire 7.0 V8 (208.4 bhp per ton) or the 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 996 (208.4 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 Aston-Martin DB4 generating around 183.4 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 2011 Audi A5 Sportback 3.0 TDI (208.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 BMW X6 xDrive50i 4.4 V8 F16 (208.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.8 secs, this made the Aston-Martin DB4 1958 as fast as the 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 (8.50 secs) the 2004 Land-Rover Discovery 3 4.4 V8 (8.50 secs) the 2000 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 150 (8.50 secs) the or the 1997 Peugeot 306 2.0 XSi (8.50 secs). This Aston-Martin DB4 1958 is also faster than the 2012 Jaguar XJ V6 (8.60 secs) the 2006 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.6 TDV8 (8.60 secs) the 2004 Audi A4 1.8T Sport (8.60 secs) the and the 2003 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 FSI (8.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the DB4 and the 2004 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8

When talking about the performance of the Aston-Martin DB4 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.41 secs @ 94.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 (14.35 secs), the 1960 Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop (14.37 secs), and the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (14.37 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1958 version of the Aston-Martin DB4 1958 has a maximum speed of 141mph.

Top Speed of the 1958 DB4 equals the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (152 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1958 Aston-Martin DB4 1958 then how about the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (152 mph), the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (152 mph), or the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi DSG 2.0 Turbo (152 mph).

Related Links:

1958 DB4 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Aston-Martin

Car Comparison