Performance Review: Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 454 Coupe 4 Speed 2nd Gen - [1973]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 454 Coupe 4 Speed 2nd Gen is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1973. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1973 Monteverdi Hai 450 GTS and the 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona.This particular Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu has a 7443cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Chevelle-Malibu 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 Chevelle-Malibu'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 1786 kgs (3937 lbs) this makes the Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 454 Coupe 4 Speed 2nd Gen in the same weight category as the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 7443cc 16V V8 engine produces 248 bhp (184 kW) @ 4000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 375 lb-ft (508.4 Nm) @ 2800 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 Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (163.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu.

The Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu has a Power to weight ratio of 138.8 bhp per ton and 209.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1973 Chevelle-Malibu competing with the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (163.8 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Roadster (163.7 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 Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu generating around 209.9 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 1979 DeTomaso Pantera GT5 S 5.8 V8 (234.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 BMW Alpina B3 3.0 Bi Turbo (234.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.7 secs, this made the Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 454 Coupe 4 Speed 2nd Gen as fast as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (7.50 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (7.50 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG (7.50 secs) the or the 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Premium (7.50 secs). This Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 454 Coupe 4 Speed 2nd Gen is also faster than the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (7.60 secs) the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the and the 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 GTi (7.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Chevelle-Malibu and the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup

When talking about the performance of the Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.74 secs @ 86.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (15.68 secs), the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray 454 7.4 V8 (15.69 secs), and the 2003 Chrysler 300 c 5.7 Hemi (15.70 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1973 version of the Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 454 Coupe 4 Speed 2nd Gen has a maximum speed of 116mph.

Top Speed of the 1973 Chevelle-Malibu equals the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (127 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 454 Coupe 4 Speed 2nd Gen then how about the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (127 mph), the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer (127 mph), or the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (127 mph).

Related Links:

1973 Chevelle-Malibu Rivals List.

A Brief History of Chevrolet

Car Comparison