Performance Review: Lamborghini Islero 400 GTS - [1969]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lamborghini Islero Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lamborghini Islero 400 GTS is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1969. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS and the 1969 McLaren M6 GT 5.7 V8.This particular Lamborghini Islero has a 3929cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The Islero shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Islero'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 1375 kgs (3031 lbs) this makes the Lamborghini Islero 400 GTS in the same weight category as the 2022 Koenigsegg CC850 4.9 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Lamborghini Islero shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 3929cc 24V V12 engine produces 345 bhp (257 kW) @ 7500 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 290 lb-ft (393.1 Nm) @ 5500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2017 Mercedes S Class 65 AMG Cabriolet 6.0 V12 (275.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lamborghini Islero.

The Lamborghini Islero has a Power to weight ratio of 250.9 bhp per ton and 210.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1969 Islero competing with the 2017 Mercedes S Class 65 AMG Cabriolet 6.0 V12 (275.3 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Mercedes S Class 65 AMG Coupe 6.0 V12 (275.3 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 Lamborghini Islero generating around 210.9 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 1998 Ferrari 465 M GT (235.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2004 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti F1 (235.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.2 secs, this made the Lamborghini Islero 400 GTS as fast as the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the or the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 265 DSG (6.00 secs). This Lamborghini Islero 400 GTS is also faster than the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the and the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (6.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Islero and the 1978 BMW M1 3.5 2d Manual

When talking about the performance of the Lamborghini Islero on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.97 secs @ 105.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1978 BMW M1 3.5 2d Manual (12.91 secs), the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire 3.2 V6 SRT-6 2d Auto (12.91 secs), and the 1964 Pontiac GTO 6.4 V8 (12.91 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1969 version of the Lamborghini Islero 400 GTS has a maximum speed of 162mph.

Top Speed of the 1969 Islero equals the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (173 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1969 Lamborghini Islero 400 GTS then how about the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (173 mph), the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R 5.2 V8 (173 mph), or the 2014 Porsche Boxster GTS PDK (173 mph).

Related Links:

1969 Islero Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lamborghini

Car Comparison