Performance Review: Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 396 Sport Coupe 350hp 4speed 1st Gen - [1968]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 396 Sport Coupe 350hp 4speed 1st Gen is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1968. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1969 McLaren M6 GT 5.7 V8 and the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429.This particular Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu has a 6489cc 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 1667 kgs (3675 lbs) this makes the Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 396 Sport Coupe 350hp 4speed 1st Gen in the same weight category as the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 6489cc 16V V8 engine produces 355 bhp (264 kW) @ 5200 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 415 lb-ft (562.6 Nm) @ 3400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo (429 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 1959 Aston-Martin DB4 GT (237.9 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 212.9 bhp per ton and 248.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1968 Chevelle-Malibu competing with the 1959 Aston-Martin DB4 GT (237.9 bhp per ton) or the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge 6.6 V12 Twin turbo (237.7 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 248.9 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 2008 Bentley Azure T 6.8 V8 (273.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1968 Ford Mustang GT500 KR (273.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.2 secs, this made the Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 396 Sport Coupe 350hp 4speed 1st Gen as fast as the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the or the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 265 DSG (6.00 secs). This Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 396 Sport Coupe 350hp 4speed 1st Gen is also faster than the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the and the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (6.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Chevelle-Malibu and the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX S

When talking about the performance of the Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.66 secs @ 100.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX S (13.60 secs), the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (13.60 secs), and the 2008 Audi A3 S3 2.0T (13.61 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1968 version of the Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 396 Sport Coupe 350hp 4speed 1st Gen has a maximum speed of 113mph.

Top Speed of the 1968 Chevelle-Malibu 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 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 396 Sport Coupe 350hp 4speed 1st Gen then how about the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (124 mph), the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (124 mph), or the 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 (124 mph).

Related Links:

1968 Chevelle-Malibu Rivals List.

A Brief History of Chevrolet

Car Comparison