Performance Review: Chevrolet Vega Cosworth Twin Cam - [1975]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Chevrolet Vega Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Chevrolet Vega Cosworth Twin Cam is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1975. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1976 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 and the 1975 Lotus Esprit S1 2.0.This particular Chevrolet Vega has a 1994cc 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 1125 kgs (2480 lbs) this makes the Chevrolet Vega Cosworth Twin Cam in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Chevrolet Vega shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1994cc 16V St4 engine produces 110 bhp (82 kW) @ 5600 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 107 lb-ft (145.0 Nm) @ 4800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 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 1974 AMC Matador X Coupe (122.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Chevrolet Vega.

The Chevrolet Vega has a Power to weight ratio of 97.7 bhp per ton and 95.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1975 Vega competing with the 1974 AMC Matador X Coupe (122.7 bhp per ton) or the 2007 Fiat Bravo 1.9 Sport Multijet (122.7 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 Vega generating around 95.1 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 2005 Toyota Corolla TS Compressor 2.0L (120.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 1968 Ford Cortina MkII GT (120.0 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 Cosworth Twin Cam as fast as the 1993 Toyota T100 3.0 V6 (10.50 secs) the 1971 Chevrolet Vega 2300 GT 4 Speed (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 Cosworth Twin Cam 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 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP 3.9 V6

When talking about the performance of the Chevrolet Vega on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.83 secs @ 76.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP 3.9 V6 (17.75 secs), the 1972 Dodge Challenger Rallye 340 (17.75 secs), and the 2015 KIA Ceed GT 1.6 Turbo (17.77 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1975 version of the Chevrolet Vega Cosworth Twin Cam has a maximum speed of 112mph.

Top Speed of the 1975 Vega equals the 1994 Fiat Punto 1.4 GT (123 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1975 Chevrolet Vega Cosworth Twin Cam then how about the 1994 Fiat Punto 1.4 GT (123 mph), the 1986 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 8v (123 mph), or the 1983 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 Convertible (123 mph).

Related Links:

1975 Vega Rivals List.

A Brief History of Chevrolet

Car Comparison