Chevy Beretta GTU

[kevm14]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Beretta

The GT included a 125 hp 2.8-liter V6,[1] which grew to a 3.1L in 1991, and the Z51 suspension package with 15-inch styled steel wheels and Goodyear Eagle GT tires. Also included was a sport cloth interior and sport steering wheel. The GTU was available from 1988–1990. Beretta GTUs (with the FE7 suspension package) were shipped to Cars and Concepts where they were equipped with 16x7-inch aluminum alloy wheels, custom ground effects, a rear spoiler, mirrors, custom trim, and decals. With the FE7 suspension the GTU was capable of 0.92 G on the skidpad, well above most cars in its class. GTUs were only available in black, red and white.

The GTZ, which replaced the GTU, was the high-performance version of the Beretta. It was produced from 1990 to 1993. It came standard with Oldsmobile's 2.3 L high output Quad 4 I4, which produced 180 hp (134 kW) and 160 lb·ft (217 N·m) of torque. Also standard was a Getrag five-speed manual transmission and GM's FE7 performance suspension.

The car posted a 0-to-60 mph time of 7.6 seconds and one of the fastest slalom speeds of any front wheel drive car tested. Motor Trend's only complaint was the Quad 4's NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) and noted it was one of the most raucous engines of its time. Beginning in 1991, the 3.1 L V6 could be had as an option on the GTZ, but it was only available with a three-speed automatic transmission that increased the 0-to-60 mph time to around 9.0 seconds

O rly?

Man, my CTS-V has FE4. Now I have FE-envy.

[kevm14]

Same time frame:

RX-7 GTUs (1989-1990)

In 1989, with the introduction of a face-lifted FC RX-7, and to commemorate the RX-7's IMSA domination, Mazda introduced a limited model labeled the GTUs. Starting with the lightweight base model GTU, which came with manual windows, no rear wiper, the sunroof and A/C was dealer optioned, the GTUs added items found on the Turbo model such as four piston front brakes, rear ventilated brake rotors, vehicle speed sensing power steering, 1 piece front chin spoiler, cloth covered Turbo model seats, leather wrapped steering wheel, 16 inch wheels, 205/55VR tires, and a GTUs-only 4.300 Viscous-type limited slip differential (all other FC LSD's where 4.100). This allowed quicker acceleration from the non-turbo powered 13B. Mazda built 1100 GTUs's in 1989, with the last 100 re-stamped as 1990 models.

[kevm14]

1996 Beretta Z26:

I submit better looking than the Cavalier Z24. Seems to be a better performer as well.

1996ChevroletBeretta-front.jpg

1996ChevroletBeretta-rear.jpg

1988 Beretta GTU:

C5909-R405-0015.jpg

C5909-R405-0017.jpg

autowp_ru_chevrolet_beretta_gtu_2.jpg

[Bob]

0.92 from a FWD car in that time period is unreal.

[bill25]

I mean, obviously I like the Z24 better, but these were cool too.

Here is a 94 Z24:
I think it looks basically the same as the 96 Black Berretta...

800px-1994_Chevrolet_Cavalier_Z24.jpg

I think this looks better and the V6 had 130 HP in 89:

Z-24 front outside.jpg

[kevm14]

the V6 had 130 HP in 89

I'll see your V6 and raise you this:

The GTZ, which replaced the GTU, was the high-performance version of the Beretta. It was produced from 1990 to 1993. It came standard with Oldsmobile's 2.3 L high output Quad 4 I4, which produced 180 hp (134 kW) and 160 lb·ft (217 N·m) of torque. Also standard was a Getrag five-speed manual transmission and GM's FE7 performance suspension.

That's as much power as your Monte Carlo SS had. From a naturally aspirated 4 cylinder only 3 years later. From GM!

[bill25]

Well...That is true if you disregard the 240 ft-lbs of torque in the Monte.

I would argue that that isn't negligible, but yeah, the 305 is outperformed by 4 cylinders.

[bill25]

It is kind of funny the range in types of cars that all performed very closely when weight and power are combined, it was nice to have that variety and overlap:

Z24
Beretta
Camaro
Firebird
Monte Carlo
Cutlass

Pretty sure that these were all 0-60 between 7 and 8 seconds.

There were definitely stories of people beating these bigger cars with a couple simple mods with both the Cavalier and the Beretta. I am positive that the bigger cars would eventually overtake, but a lot of the road stuff wasn't that long.

[Bob]

At the time it was produced, the Quad4 may have been the second most powerful NA 4 cylinder to the one in the E30 M3. I don't have time to fully research this, but I think it is true.

[kevm14]

Here is a Motorweek review of the GTZ.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71fiXdKAtW4

Not as good as the GTU.