1958 Aston-Martin DB4 1958 Review and Performance Comparison

Aston-Martin DB4 Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 1958 Aston-Martin DB4 1958 is a powered by a Petrol Straight 6. This variant of the Aston-Martin DB4 1958 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out around 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 driven by the Aston-Martin Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol Straight 6's include the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The DB4 shares its Petrol Straight 6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the 2013 Porsche 911 Turbo S 991.If you're looking for other similar performing cars which share the DB4'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 1308 kgs (2883 lbs) places the Aston-Martin DB4 1958 in a similar weight category as the 2023 McLaren 750S Spider 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo and the excellent 2022 Delage D12 Club, give or take 50kg.

The Aston-Martin DB4 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Supra GR 2.0 (255 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 3670cc 12 valve, Straight 6 engine produces around 240 bhp (178 kW) @ 5500 rpm which is comparable to the 2023 Toyota Supra GR 2.0 (255 bhp) and also the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated Straight 6 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 you look at both power or torque of the 1958 Aston-Martin DB4 in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 996 (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. Bhp per ton figures of the 1958 DB4 1958 means you're competing with the 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 996 (208.4 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 1966 Oldsmobile Starfire 7.0 V8 (208.4 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 Aston-Martin DB4 1958 generates around 183.4 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 2011 Audi A5 Sportback 3.0 TDI (208.4 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2020 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Touring (208.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Aston-Martin DB4 1958 can accelerate 0–60mph in 8.50 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 8.8 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Aston-Martin DB4 1958 include the 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 (8.50 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2004 Land-Rover Discovery 3 4.4 V8 (8.50 secs).

The Straight 6 engine of the Aston-Martin DB4 1958 ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2012 Jaguar XJ V6 (8.60 secs) and the 2006 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.6 TDV8 (8.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Aston-Martin DB4 1958 and the Ford Focus ST-3 2.0 Turbo

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 1958 Aston-Martin DB4 can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.35 secs with a trap speed around 94.9 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Ford Focus ST-3 2.0 Turbo (14.36 seconds @ 94.8 mph) and a close race between the Aston-Martin Volante 5.3L V8 (14.36 seconds @ 94.9 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 1958 version of the Aston-Martin DB4 1958 has a maximum speed of 141mph.

Top Speed of the 1958 DB4 equals the Audi A4 1.8T Avant (140 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 1958 Aston-Martin DB4 1958 then there's the slightly slower the Audi A4 1.8T Avant (140 mph) or how about the impressive Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 1 (140 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 1958 DB4 Rivals List.
• 1958 DB4: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Aston-Martin
• Compare the 1958 Aston-Martin DB4