Quoted weight/power figures

[alan_d]

In the handbook for my Chimaera 500 (and similarly in various motoring magazines) the following figures are stated:
power 340bhp
weight 1060kg
power/weight ratio 307bhp/ton .

However, the VIN plate under the bonnet states a gross weight of 1270kg and various unofficial sources suggest the maximum bhp is more like 270bhp, giving a power/weight ratio of only 212bhp/ton (eg a little over 2/3 of what TVR claim!). So how can such misleading figures be allowed to be published?

Are the quoted weights with and without fluids, with and without driver and passenger, or what?? 20% is one hell of a discrepancy.

Does anyone know the true weight and power output?

[alan_d]

Sorry if this is a FAQ. I did do a search before posting and couldn't find the answers to these questions, so if there is a thread, I'd really appreciate it if someone could post the link?

By the way I'm not wingeing about the car!!! I love the car regardless of the figures on paper. The performance on the road (where it matters) is staggering compared with any other car I've driven, but if you can't rely on the published data when trying to select a model I just think its rather pointless magazines printing pages of performance tables.