Performance Review: Chevrolet Impala Custom Hardtop 6.6L V8 - [1972]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Chevrolet Impala Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Chevrolet Impala Custom Hardtop 6.6L V8 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1972. 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 Impala has a 6586cc 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 1972 kgs (4347 lbs) this makes the Chevrolet Impala Custom Hardtop 6.6L V8 in the same weight category as the 2021 BMW 5 Series M5 4.4 V8 Turbo F90 or the give or take 50kg.

The Chevrolet Impala shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 6586cc 16V V8 engine produces 170 bhp (126 kW) @ 3400 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 325 lb-ft (440.6 Nm) @ 2000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 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 1999 Volkswagen-VW Passat 1.8 20V Turbo (111.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Chevrolet Impala.

The Chevrolet Impala has a Power to weight ratio of 86.2 bhp per ton and 164.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1972 Impala competing with the 1999 Volkswagen-VW Passat 1.8 20V Turbo (111.2 bhp per ton) or the 2003 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.2 16V (111.1 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 164.8 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 2013 Peugeot RCZ R 1.6 Turbo (189.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1984 Porsche 944 Turbo (189.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 11.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 11.6 secs, this made the Chevrolet Impala Custom Hardtop 6.6L V8 as fast as the 2011 Aston-Martin Cygnet 1.3L Launch Edition (11.20 secs) the 1981 Mercedes 230 CE (11.20 secs) the 1979 Daihatsu Charade 1.0 Turbo (11.30 secs) the or the 1974 Ford Mustang Mach 1 170 2.8 V6 (11.40 secs). This Chevrolet Impala Custom Hardtop 6.6L V8 is also faster than the 1979 Daihatsu Charade 1.0 Turbo (11.30 secs) the 1974 Ford Mustang Mach 1 170 2.8 V6 (11.40 secs) the 1970 Ford Escort MK1 Mexico RS (11.50 secs) the and the 1956 Austin-Healey 100 SIX BN4 (11.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Impala and the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Vectra 2.5 V6 GSi

When talking about the performance of the Chevrolet Impala on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 18.65 secs @ 73.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Vectra 2.5 V6 GSi (18.57 secs), the 2007 Audi Q7 4.2 TDi (18.57 secs), and the 1988 Ford Taurus 3.0 V6 SHO (18.57 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1972 version of the Chevrolet Impala Custom Hardtop 6.6L V8 has a maximum speed of 105mph.

Top Speed of the 1972 Impala equals the 1997 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (116 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1972 Chevrolet Impala Custom Hardtop 6.6L V8 then how about the 1997 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (116 mph), the 1994 Peugeot 106 Rallye (116 mph), or the 1986 Ford Escort XR3i MK4 (116 mph).

Related Links:

1972 Impala Rivals List.

A Brief History of Chevrolet

Car Comparison