Performance Review: Iso Grifo 7 Litre - [1968]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Iso Grifo Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Iso Grifo 7 Litre is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1968. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1969 McLaren M6 GT 5.7 V8 and the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429.This particular Iso Grifo has a 6999cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Grifo 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 Grifo'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 1410 kgs (3108 lbs) this makes the Iso Grifo 7 Litre in the same weight category as the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Iso Grifo shares the same bhp with the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (395 bhp)

In terms of power the 6999cc 16V V8 engine produces 395 bhp (294 kW) @ 5200 rpm similar to the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (395 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 460 lb-ft (623.6 Nm) @ 3600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (460 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1998 Aston-Martin Vantage 600 (304.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Iso Grifo.

The Iso Grifo has a Power to weight ratio of 280.1 bhp per ton and 326.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1968 Grifo competing with the 1998 Aston-Martin Vantage 600 (304.5 bhp per ton) or the 2014 BMW 5 Series M5 30 Jahre (304.3 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 Iso Grifo generating around 326.2 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 2013 Lamborghini Veneno 6.5 V12 (351.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Mercedes SLR Class McLaren 722 Edition (350.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.3 secs, this made the Iso Grifo 7 Litre as fast as the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the or the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (6.10 secs). This Iso Grifo 7 Litre is also faster than the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (6.20 secs) the and the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (6.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Grifo and the 2008 Maserati GranTurismo S 4.6 V8

When talking about the performance of the Iso Grifo on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.5 secs @ 109.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Maserati GranTurismo S 4.6 V8 (12.44 secs), the 1966 Pontiac GTO 6.4L V8 (12.44 secs), and the 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS 3.3 V12 (12.44 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1968 version of the Iso Grifo 7 Litre has a maximum speed of 171mph.

Top Speed of the 1968 Grifo equals the 2020 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 982 (182 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1968 Iso Grifo 7 Litre then how about the 2020 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 982 (182 mph), the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (183 mph), or the 2015 Porsche Cayman GT4 3.8 981 (183 mph).

Related Links:

1968 Grifo Rivals List.

A Brief History of Iso

Car Comparison