Performance Review: Aston-Martin DB4 GT - [1959]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Aston-Martin DB4 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Aston-Martin DB4 GT is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1959. 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 1269 kgs (2797 lbs) this makes the Aston-Martin DB4 GT in the same weight category as the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Aston-Martin DB4 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 3670cc 12V St6 engine produces 302 bhp (225 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 270 lb-ft (366.0 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 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 2008 Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG V8 R230 (262.9 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 237.9 bhp per ton and 212.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1959 DB4 competing with the 2008 Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG V8 R230 (262.9 bhp per ton) or the 1992 Dodge Viper SRT/10 8.0L V10 (262.8 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 212.7 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 1993 Mercedes SL Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 (237.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2011 Dodge Charger SRT8 6.4 V8 (237.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.6 secs, this made the Aston-Martin DB4 GT as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the or the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs). This Aston-Martin DB4 GT is also faster than the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the and the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the DB4 and the 2019 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi TCR 2.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Aston-Martin DB4 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.22 secs @ 103.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2019 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi TCR 2.0 Turbo (13.16 secs), the 1968 Ford XL XL Fastback 427 (13.17 secs), and the 2004 Lotus Exige S2 1.8 (13.19 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1959 version of the Aston-Martin DB4 GT has a maximum speed of 152mph.

Top Speed of the 1959 DB4 equals the 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8 (163 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1959 Aston-Martin DB4 GT then how about the 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8 (163 mph), the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R (163 mph), or the 1996 Lotus Esprit 2.0 Turbo GT3 (163 mph).

Related Links:

1959 DB4 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Aston-Martin

Car Comparison