Performance Review: Pontiac GTO 5.7 V8 - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Pontiac GTO Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Pontiac GTO 5.7 V8 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Pontiac GTO 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 GTO 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 GTO'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 1690 kgs (3725 lbs) this makes the Pontiac GTO 5.7 V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Pontiac GTO 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 350 bhp (260 kW) @ 5200 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 V8 throws out 365 lb-ft (494.8 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 Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (232.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Pontiac GTO.

The Pontiac GTO has a Power to weight ratio of 207.1 bhp per ton and 215.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 GTO competing with the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (232.1 bhp per ton) or the 2015 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport SVR 5.0 V8 Supercharged (232.1 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 GTO generating around 215.9 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 2008 Volkswagen-VW Touareg R50 4.9 V10 (240.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2020 Audi R8 5.2 V10 (240.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.0 secs, this made the Pontiac GTO 5.7 V8 as fast as the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs) the or the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs). This Pontiac GTO 5.7 V8 is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the GTO and the 1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 4.6 V8

When talking about the performance of the Pontiac GTO on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.78 secs @ 99.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 4.6 V8 (13.72 secs), the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (13.72 secs), and the 2012 Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 Cup (13.73 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Pontiac GTO 5.7 V8 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 GTO 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 2003 Pontiac GTO 5.7 V8 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:

2003 GTO Rivals List.

A Brief History of Pontiac

Car Comparison