Performance Review: Pontiac Bonneville 6.4L V8 - [1960]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Pontiac Bonneville Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Pontiac Bonneville 6.4L V8 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1960. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1961 Jaguar E Type 3.8l Coupe and the 1961 Jaguar E Type 3.8L Roadster.This particular Pontiac Bonneville has a 6371cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Bonneville 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 Bonneville'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 1981 kgs (4367 lbs) this makes the Pontiac Bonneville 6.4L V8 in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW 8 Series M850i xDrive 4.4 V8 Turbo G15 or the give or take 50kg.

The Pontiac Bonneville shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 6371cc 16V V8 engine produces 300 bhp (223 kW) @ 4600 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 420 lb-ft (569.4 Nm) @ 2800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2013 Volvo S60 T6 3.0 Turbo (176.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Pontiac Bonneville.

The Pontiac Bonneville has a Power to weight ratio of 151.4 bhp per ton and 212.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1960 Bonneville competing with the 2013 Volvo S60 T6 3.0 Turbo (176.4 bhp per ton) or the 1991 Porsche 944 Turbo Cabriolet (176.4 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 Pontiac Bonneville generating around 212.0 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 2020 Audi TT RS 2.0 Turbo (236.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2008 Audi A6 RS6 5.0 TFSI V10 (236.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.0 secs, this made the Pontiac Bonneville 6.4L V8 as fast as the 2005 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (9.70 secs) the 1996 BMW 3 Series 318is 4d Saloon E46 (9.70 secs) the 1994 Peugeot 106 Rallye (9.70 secs) the or the 1984 Peugeot 604 GTi 2.8 V6 (9.70 secs). This Pontiac Bonneville 6.4L V8 is also faster than the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (9.80 secs) the 1980 Ford Mustang M81 Mclaren 2.3 Turbo (9.80 secs) the 1979 Ford Mustang Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Turbo (9.80 secs) the and the 1979 Ford Mustang Cobra 2.3 V6 Turbo (9.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Bonneville and the 2006 Dodge Charger 5.7 V8 R/T

When talking about the performance of the Pontiac Bonneville on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.45 secs @ 88.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2006 Dodge Charger 5.7 V8 R/T (15.38 secs), the 2000 Mitsubishi FTO 2.0 GPX (15.39 secs), and the 1968 Alpine A110 1300 (15.40 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1960 version of the Pontiac Bonneville 6.4L V8 has a maximum speed of 113mph.

Top Speed of the 1960 Bonneville equals the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (124 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1960 Pontiac Bonneville 6.4L V8 then how about the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (124 mph), the 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 (124 mph), or the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (124 mph).

Related Links:

1960 Bonneville Rivals List.

A Brief History of Pontiac

Car Comparison