Performance Review: Pontiac Tempest Le Mans Sprint - [1966]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Pontiac Tempest Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Pontiac Tempest Le Mans Sprint is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1966. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1966 AC Cobra 427 and the 1966 Chevrolet Corvette C2 Stingray 427 425hp.This particular Pontiac Tempest has a 3770cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The Tempest shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Tempest'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 1551 kgs (3419 lbs) this makes the Pontiac Tempest Le Mans Sprint in the same weight category as the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 3770cc 12V St6 engine produces 207 bhp (154 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 St6 throws out 228 lb-ft (309.1 Nm) @ 3800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX - Blobeye (158.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Pontiac Tempest.

The Pontiac Tempest has a Power to weight ratio of 133.4 bhp per ton and 147.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1966 Tempest competing with the 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX - Blobeye (158.4 bhp per ton) or the 2002 Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro (158.4 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 Tempest generating around 147.0 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 2013 BMW 3 Series 335i Gran Turismo F34 (172.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Hemi (171.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 10.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.3 secs, this made the Pontiac Tempest Le Mans Sprint as fast as the 1980 Renault 18 1.6 Turbo (10.00 secs) the 1976 Triumph 2500 TC (10.00 secs) the 1950 Ferrari 195 Inter (10.00 secs) the or the 1948 Ferrari 166 MM (10.00 secs). This Pontiac Tempest Le Mans Sprint is also faster than the 1967 Pontiac Firebird Sprint 3.8L (10.10 secs) the 1966 Volvo 144 Grand Luxe 2.0 8v (10.10 secs) the 2019 Ford Ranger F-150 Raptor 2.0 (10.20 secs) the and the 1983 Alfa-Romeo Alfasud 1.5 Ti QV (10.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Tempest and the 1988 Aston-Martin Virage 5.3 V8 1988

When talking about the performance of the Pontiac Tempest on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.98 secs @ 85.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1988 Aston-Martin Virage 5.3 V8 1988 (15.92 secs), the 2004 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - EP3 (15.92 secs), and the 2001 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R EP2 - EDM (15.92 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1966 version of the Pontiac Tempest Le Mans Sprint has a maximum speed of 113mph.

Top Speed of the 1966 Tempest 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 1966 Pontiac Tempest Le Mans Sprint 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:

1966 Tempest Rivals List.

A Brief History of Pontiac

Car Comparison