Performance Review: Chevrolet Vega 2300 GT 4 Speed - [1971]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Chevrolet Vega Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Chevrolet Vega 2300 GT 4 Speed is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1971. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1971 Chevrolet Corvette C3 ZR2 Stingray 7.4 V8 Convertible and the 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351 5.7 V8.This particular Chevrolet Vega has a 2287cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Vega shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Vega'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 1020 kgs (2248 lbs) this makes the Chevrolet Vega 2300 GT 4 Speed in the same weight category as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Chevrolet Vega shares the same bhp with the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp)

In terms of power the 2287cc 8V St4 engine produces 93 bhp (69 kW) @ 4800 rpm similar to the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp) or the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (118 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 121 lb-ft (164.0 Nm) @ 2800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (140 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1967 Rover P5 B 3.5 V8 (115.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Chevrolet Vega.

The Chevrolet Vega has a Power to weight ratio of 91.1 bhp per ton and 118.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1971 Vega competing with the 1967 Rover P5 B 3.5 V8 (115.9 bhp per ton) or the 1967 Rover P5 B 3.5 V8 Coupe (115.9 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 Vega generating around 118.6 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 2006 Alfa-Romeo Brera 3.2 V6 Qtronic (143.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2008 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth (143.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 10.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.8 secs, this made the Chevrolet Vega 2300 GT 4 Speed as fast as the 1993 Toyota T100 3.0 V6 (10.50 secs) the 1975 Chevrolet Vega Cosworth Twin Cam (10.50 secs) the 1963 Mercedes SL Class 230SL W113 (10.50 secs) the or the 1956 BMW 507 3.2 V8 (10.50 secs). This Chevrolet Vega 2300 GT 4 Speed is also faster than the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (10.60 secs) the 1974 Vauxhall-Opel Manta GT/E 1.9 8v (10.60 secs) the 1971 Bentley Corniche 6.8 V8 Convertible (10.60 secs) the and the 1969 Ford Capri 2000 GT (10.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Vega and the 1965 Ford Mustang Hardtop 4.7 V8

When talking about the performance of the Chevrolet Vega on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 18.29 secs @ 74.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1965 Ford Mustang Hardtop 4.7 V8 (18.21 secs), the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (18.23 secs), and the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (18.24 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1971 version of the Chevrolet Vega 2300 GT 4 Speed has a maximum speed of 108mph.

Top Speed of the 1971 Vega equals the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (119 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1971 Chevrolet Vega 2300 GT 4 Speed then how about the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (119 mph), the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (119 mph), or the 1985 Toyota MR2 Mk1 (119 mph).

Related Links:

1971 Vega Rivals List.

A Brief History of Chevrolet

Car Comparison