Performance Review: Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop - [1960]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Chevrolet Impala Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop 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 Chevrolet Impala has a 5697cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Impala 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 Impala'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 1742 kgs (3840 lbs) this makes the Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop in the same weight category as the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 5697cc 16V V8 engine produces 340 bhp (253 kW) @ 5800 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 362 lb-ft (490.8 Nm) @ 3600 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 Impala you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1968 Dodge Coronet Hardtop R/T 7.2L V8 440 (220.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Chevrolet Impala.

The Chevrolet Impala has a Power to weight ratio of 195.1 bhp per ton and 207.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1960 Impala competing with the 1968 Dodge Coronet Hardtop R/T 7.2L V8 440 (220.1 bhp per ton) or the 1993 Porsche 968 3.0 Turbo S (219.7 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 Impala generating around 207.8 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 2000 BMW Z8 5.0 V8 2d LHD (232.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2020 Audi R8 Performance 5.2 V10 Spyder (232.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.4 secs, this made the Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop as fast as the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the or the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs). This Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop is also faster than the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (7.30 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (7.30 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (7.30 secs) the and the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD DSG 2.0 Turbo Diesel (7.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Impala and the 2009 Bentley Mulsanne 6.8 V8 Twin Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Chevrolet Impala on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.22 secs @ 96.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Bentley Mulsanne 6.8 V8 Twin Turbo (14.16 secs), the 1963 Aston-Martin DB5 1963 (14.17 secs), and the 2013 Volvo S60 T6 3.0 Turbo (14.18 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1960 version of the Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop has a maximum speed of 126mph.

Top Speed of the 1960 Impala equals the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1960 Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop then how about the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph), the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (137 mph), or the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (137 mph).

Related Links:

1960 Impala Rivals List.

A Brief History of Chevrolet

Car Comparison