Performance Review: Pontiac Firebird Formula W96 Ram Air - [2001]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Pontiac Firebird Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Pontiac Firebird Formula W96 Ram Air is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.This particular Pontiac Firebird has a 5665cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Firebird 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 Firebird'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 1515 kgs (3340 lbs) this makes the Pontiac Firebird Formula W96 Ram Air in the same weight category as the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 5665cc 16V V8 engine produces 325 bhp (242 kW) @ 5200 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (348 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 350 lb-ft (474.5 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2011 Lotus Evora S IPS 3.5 V8 (239.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Pontiac Firebird.

The Pontiac Firebird has a Power to weight ratio of 214.5 bhp per ton and 231.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2001 Firebird competing with the 2011 Lotus Evora S IPS 3.5 V8 (239.2 bhp per ton) or the 1984 Ferrari Testarossa 5.0L Boxer (239.2 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 Firebird generating around 231.0 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 2007 Mercedes C Class 63 AMG (256.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Aston-Martin DB9 5.9 V12 (256.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.3 secs, this made the Pontiac Firebird Formula W96 Ram Air as fast as the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs) the or the 2017 Audi A6 3.0T Competition (5.10 secs). This Pontiac Firebird Formula W96 Ram Air is also faster than the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (5.20 secs) the 2021 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Limited Edition (5.20 secs) the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (5.20 secs) the and the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Mid Range (5.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Firebird and the 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GTR

When talking about the performance of the Pontiac Firebird on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.65 secs @ 100.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GTR (13.59 secs), the 2014 Audi A4 S4 3.0 V6 S-Tronic (13.59 secs), and the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX S (13.60 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2001 version of the Pontiac Firebird Formula W96 Ram Air has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 Firebird equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2001 Pontiac Firebird Formula W96 Ram Air then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2001 Firebird Rivals List.

A Brief History of Pontiac

Car Comparison