Performance Review: Plymouth Barracuda S 273 - [1965]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Plymouth Barracuda Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Plymouth Barracuda S 273 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 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 Plymouth Barracuda has a 4492cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Barracuda 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 Barracuda'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 1451 kgs (3198 lbs) this makes the Plymouth Barracuda S 273 in the same weight category as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Plymouth Barracuda shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 4492cc 16V V8 engine produces 235 bhp (175 kW) @ 5200 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 280 lb-ft (379.6 Nm) @ 4000 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 Plymouth Barracuda you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1994 Maserati Quattroporte AM337 2.0i V6 Bi Turbo (186.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Plymouth Barracuda.

The Plymouth Barracuda has a Power to weight ratio of 161.9 bhp per ton and 192.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1965 Barracuda competing with the 1994 Maserati Quattroporte AM337 2.0i V6 Bi Turbo (186.7 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Honda S2000 2.2i (186.6 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 Plymouth Barracuda generating around 192.9 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 1961 Ford Thunderbird 390 Convertible 3rd Gen. (217.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 320 (217.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.5 secs, this made the Plymouth Barracuda S 273 as fast as the 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR (8.20 secs) the 2005 Land-Rover Range Rover 4.4 V8 (8.20 secs) the 2003 BMW X5 3.0d (8.20 secs) the or the 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (8.20 secs). This Plymouth Barracuda S 273 is also faster than the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (8.30 secs) the 2005 Peugeot 407 3.0 V6 Coupe (8.30 secs) the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (8.30 secs) the and the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi (8.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Barracuda and the 1970 Plymouth AAR Cuda 340 V8

When talking about the performance of the Plymouth Barracuda on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15 secs @ 91.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1970 Plymouth AAR Cuda 340 V8 (14.93 secs), the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works (14.94 secs), and the 2010 Audi A7 3.0 TFSI Quattro (14.94 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1965 version of the Plymouth Barracuda S 273 has a maximum speed of 118mph.

Top Speed of the 1965 Barracuda equals the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (129 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1965 Plymouth Barracuda S 273 then how about the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (129 mph), the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (129 mph), or the 2009 Ford Fiesta ST185 (129 mph).

Related Links:

1965 Barracuda Rivals List.

A Brief History of Plymouth

Car Comparison