1965 Iso Grifo GL 300 5.4L V8 Review and Performance Comparison

Iso Grifo Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 1965 Iso Grifo GL 300 5.4L V8 is a powered by a Petrol V 8. This variant of the Iso Grifo GL 300 5.4L V8 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out around 1965. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the 1966 AC Cobra 427.

This particular Iso Grifo has a 5354cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant driven by the Iso Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol V 8's include the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Grifo shares its Petrol V 8 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 similar performing cars which share the Grifo'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 1450 kgs (3196 lbs) places the Iso Grifo GL 300 5.4L V8 in a similar weight category as the 2025 Maserati MCPURA 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo and the excellent 2023 Toyota Supra GR 2.0, give or take 50kg.

The Iso Grifo shares the same bhp with the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR (276 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 5354cc 16 valve, V 8 engine produces around 296 bhp (220 kW) @ 5000 rpm which is comparable to the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR (276 bhp) and also the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR RC (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V 8 throws out 360 lb-ft (488.0 Nm) @ 3200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mercedes S Class 580 e 4MATIC EQ Hybrid Technology (369 lb-ft) or the 2024 Mercedes GT GT 43 (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 1965 Iso Grifo in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 1962 Iso Rivolta IR 340 5.4L V8 (229.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Iso Grifo.

The Iso Grifo has a power to weight ratio of 204.1 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 1965 Grifo GL 300 5.4L V8 means you're competing with the 1962 Iso Rivolta IR 340 5.4L V8 (229.0 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 2009 Jaguar XK 5.0 V8 Coupe (228.9 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 Iso Grifo GL 300 5.4L V8 generates around 248.2 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 2020 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (273.2 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2012 Lotus Exige S 3.5 V6 (273.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Iso Grifo GL 300 5.4L V8 can accelerate 0–60mph in 6.20 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 6.4 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Iso Grifo GL 300 5.4L V8 include the 2022 Mercedes EQE SUV 350+ (6.20 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs).

The V 8 engine of the Iso Grifo GL 300 5.4L V8 ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) and the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Iso Grifo GL 300 5.4L V8 and the BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive Cabrio 3.0 Turbo F23

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 1965 Iso Grifo can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.82 secs with a trap speed around 98.5 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive Cabrio 3.0 Turbo F23 (13.83 seconds @ 98.5 mph) and a close race between the Lotus Evora 3.5 V6 (13.83 seconds @ 98.5 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 1965 version of the Iso Grifo GL 300 5.4L V8 has a maximum speed of 143mph.

Top Speed of the 1965 Grifo equals the Lexus IS 350 (142 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 1965 Iso Grifo GL 300 5.4L V8 then there's the slightly slower the Lexus IS 350 (142 mph) or how about the impressive Ford RS200 1.8T 16V (142 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 1965 Grifo Rivals List.
• 1965 Grifo: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Iso
• Compare the 1965 Iso Grifo