Quote Originally Posted by SoCalDMC12 View Post
How did the DMC compare to its contemporaries in terms of power-to-weight ratio? If it remember correctly, the Vette of that era was a bit underpowered as well.
Regarding power to weight ratio of the DeLorean's 1981 contemporaries, here are the power and weight stats from Motor Trend and Car & Driver:

DeLorean DMC-12- 130hp / 2712lbs = 20.86lbs per hp
Ferrari Mondial- 205hp / 3500lbs = 17.07lbs per hp
Ferrari 308- 205hp / 3320lbs = 16.20lbs per hp
Maserati Merak- 180hp / 3200lbs = 17.78lbs per hp
Porsche 911SC- 172hp / 2700lbs = 15.70lbs per hp
Porsche 928- 220hp / 3351lbs = 15.23lbs per hp
Chevrolet Corvette- 190hp/ 3307lbs = 17.41lbs per hp
Datsun 280Z Turbo- 180hp / 2960lbs = 16.44lbs per hp

So the 911SC was the lightest (only 12 pounds lighter than the DeLorean!), but the 928 has the most HP and best power to weight ratio despite being the heaviest car. Obviously the DeLorean is one of the very lightest cars of its contemporaries, but it's still the most underpowered by far in regards to power to weight ratios. But that's not the accusation Leno leveled against the car- he said it was heavy, and as you can see, it most definitely is not.