Performance Review: Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8 - [1970]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Iso Grifo Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1970. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS and the 1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS 454 LS6.This particular Iso Grifo has a 7443cc 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 1610 kgs (3549 lbs) this makes the Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8 in the same weight category as the 2021 Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae Roadster 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The Iso Grifo shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 7443cc 16V V8 engine produces 390 bhp (290 kW) @ 4800 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 500 lb-ft (677.9 Nm) @ 3400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (524 lb-ft) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (479 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 2013 Aston-Martin Vantage V8 SP10 (267.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Iso Grifo.

The Iso Grifo has a Power to weight ratio of 242.2 bhp per ton and 310.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1970 Grifo competing with the 2013 Aston-Martin Vantage V8 SP10 (267.0 bhp per ton) or the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 Auto (267.0 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 310.5 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 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS (334.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1973 Monteverdi Hai 450 GTS (334.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.9 secs, this made the Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8 as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo AWD (4.70 secs) the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo (4.70 secs) the or the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs). This Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8 is also faster than the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (4.80 secs) the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (4.80 secs) the 2018 Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.7 V12 Turbo (4.80 secs) the and the 2017 Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 (4.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Grifo and the 1988 Maserati 430 2.8 V6

When talking about the performance of the Iso Grifo on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.09 secs @ 104.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1988 Maserati 430 2.8 V6 (13.03 secs), the 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC (13.04 secs), and the 1993 Toyota Supra 3.0 Twin Turbo (13.05 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1970 version of the Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8 has a maximum speed of 180mph.

Top Speed of the 1970 Grifo equals the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (191 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1970 Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8 then how about the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (191 mph), the 2022 BMW 4 Series M4 CSL 3.0 Twin Turbo G82 (191 mph), or the 2021 Nissan NSX Type S 3.5L V6 (191 mph).

Related Links:

1970 Grifo Rivals List.

A Brief History of Iso

Car Comparison