Utilising the power on a VERY powerful car...
Discussion
I mean the power of car isn't relevant. It's the brain behind that power, assessing the road conditions, anticipating other road users actions etc that is the biggest factor.
It's PH but for the most part we drive on public roads so in relation to the thread topic, it's all about restraint. No matter how powerful the car is the loud pedal isn't an on off switch
T1b
It's PH but for the most part we drive on public roads so in relation to the thread topic, it's all about restraint. No matter how powerful the car is the loud pedal isn't an on off switch
T1b
The issue of high power in modern cars is not so much one of providing high absolute levels of acceleration, but being able to do that at pretty much any speed. Something like an elise, with say 200bhp/ton accelerate quickly at around 40mph, but by the time it gets to say 100mph, the power has been negated by drag, and it only accelerate mildly.
Get into a P1, Lala, or 918, and they accelerate pretty much as hard at 100mph as they do at 40! What that means is with just seconds worth of WOT acceleration, you are so far into triple figures you'd be put in prison forever if they clocked you....... Until now, 160mph on a B road has be the preserve of the big Sports Bikes, but now, the cars are getting in on the act too. Basically, it becomes a mental game, one of "how much power can i deploy sensibly" and always well within the power available from the powertrain.
Get into a P1, Lala, or 918, and they accelerate pretty much as hard at 100mph as they do at 40! What that means is with just seconds worth of WOT acceleration, you are so far into triple figures you'd be put in prison forever if they clocked you....... Until now, 160mph on a B road has be the preserve of the big Sports Bikes, but now, the cars are getting in on the act too. Basically, it becomes a mental game, one of "how much power can i deploy sensibly" and always well within the power available from the powertrain.
Modulation of throttle is a must versus a binary on/off with lesser powered cars.
I really enjoy unleashing all of the horses on a slip road or exiting a bend to a long straight but at this time of year a 457hp rear wheel drive car isn't great. I'm pretty conscious of cold wet cambered roads for overtaking in 3rd and leave the traction control fully on. Having said that it's just like the old days in my S2000's when I had to be uber careful in the cold and wet with summertime tyres, cold and wet slippy roads.
4WD does get round this, but you still have the issue of greatly exceeding speed limits in short periods of time.
I really enjoy unleashing all of the horses on a slip road or exiting a bend to a long straight but at this time of year a 457hp rear wheel drive car isn't great. I'm pretty conscious of cold wet cambered roads for overtaking in 3rd and leave the traction control fully on. Having said that it's just like the old days in my S2000's when I had to be uber careful in the cold and wet with summertime tyres, cold and wet slippy roads.
4WD does get round this, but you still have the issue of greatly exceeding speed limits in short periods of time.
I think as long as you've got the traction and right conditions you can use what's at your disposal all be it for short periods of time.
I've got a little over 290bhp/tonne in my Audi S4 and I do use all of it occasionally for overtaking or a quick blast and knowing it's there should I need it is reassuring. I'd still like more or the same but in something that allows me to use it more often like a TTRS.
I agree something like a P1 may not ever be utilised fully on the road being RWD and very wide for UK roads that doesn't mean similar bhp/tonne figures from something smaller and 4WD wouldn't be.
I've got a little over 290bhp/tonne in my Audi S4 and I do use all of it occasionally for overtaking or a quick blast and knowing it's there should I need it is reassuring. I'd still like more or the same but in something that allows me to use it more often like a TTRS.
I agree something like a P1 may not ever be utilised fully on the road being RWD and very wide for UK roads that doesn't mean similar bhp/tonne figures from something smaller and 4WD wouldn't be.
I think some people may be confusing full throttle with using all the car's power.
a 200bhp/tonne car isn't making 200bhp/tonne if you WOT from 1500-3000rpm for example.
My car only has a lowly 130bhp/tonne, and it's very infrequent I use it all. I agree with OP, how often do people with these 300-400bhp/tonne cars wring them out?
a 200bhp/tonne car isn't making 200bhp/tonne if you WOT from 1500-3000rpm for example.
My car only has a lowly 130bhp/tonne, and it's very infrequent I use it all. I agree with OP, how often do people with these 300-400bhp/tonne cars wring them out?
Rawwr said:
mikerons88 said:
Baryonyx said:
Try a sports bike, it'll redefine what you consider fast.
Even if you already have an Atom with a supercharged honda type r engine?Ross, I think I know what you mean. I very rarely redline my R1 and if I do, I realise the speed I'm doing is already silly in 1st gear. In cars though, I don't think it's about the immense speed that they can pile on. I can're remember which racing driver it was (maybe DC) who said that you should always have enough power to break traction, but I like the sentiment. Ergo, the 458 Speciale is very fast, but is apparently great to drive over the traction limits.
That's what it's all about.Edited by bennyboysvuk on Tuesday 25th November 13:05
My R53 Cooper S has 230bhp, which is more than enough for road use; it's probably quicker than my 550 Maranello on the twisty Highland roads near me, as I can actually use the power of the Mini.
My 550 has 485bhp, and as the OP has said I can't use all of it. How you can use the 730bhp in its present-day descendant the F12, I have no idea
My 550 has 485bhp, and as the OP has said I can't use all of it. How you can use the 730bhp in its present-day descendant the F12, I have no idea
I had a Stage 1 Astra VXR and E92 330i both around 270 / 280 BHP and in my limited experience these were more than powerful enough for the road - obviously not in the same league as a 911 / RS’x’ / 'x'63 / M division car but a few seconds of throttle would easily see you into triple figures and license losing territory.
I'm currently driving a MK1 Eunos 1.6 Import with 115 BHP (appx) and it is by far the most fun car I’ve had, 6000 RPM in 2rd and you are doing 40 / 50 MPH (NSL of course) which makes for such an involving and fun drive and as previously alluded too you can use all of the power through the gears without the fear of xxx MPH and getting a ban!
I'm currently driving a MK1 Eunos 1.6 Import with 115 BHP (appx) and it is by far the most fun car I’ve had, 6000 RPM in 2rd and you are doing 40 / 50 MPH (NSL of course) which makes for such an involving and fun drive and as previously alluded too you can use all of the power through the gears without the fear of xxx MPH and getting a ban!
Jimmy No Hands said:
If you ever have the opportunity to drive or passenger in an FF or an F12, I guarantee that will change your perceptions once again. Mind blowing.
This. I drove an F12 earlier this year thinking 'no big deal, how much faster can it really be' after having driven 458's and a F430 scuderia in the past and not been amazed by the feeling of acceleration.The F12 was on another planet to the 458.
pedalling a 55bhp cinquecento sporting at full tilt might be fun but even in that you cant ho hooning it everywhere....
its all about balance restraint, time and place.
im sure theres times and places you can carpet some 800bhp monster in the uk granted it wont be for a very long time or in the higher gears and at 3 figure plus speeds as there are other road users to consider.
its all about balance restraint, time and place.
im sure theres times and places you can carpet some 800bhp monster in the uk granted it wont be for a very long time or in the higher gears and at 3 figure plus speeds as there are other road users to consider.
alfa daley said:
There's definitely some truth in this. Yamaha R1 overtake: wind throttle on, 2 seconds later back off for fear of acquiring points. 600cc commuter, crack throttle open and get a longer maybe less intense hit of acceleration but ultimately maybe more fun day to day.
This is pretty much how I found things with my stage 1 Nissan GTR. I now have a V8 Audi R8 which although considerably slower it is ulimately more satisfying on the road.I like little and often in power, rather than an all out whack then nothing for the rest of the journey.
In gear acceleration is more important to me than out and out speed, having the ability to quickly zap past someone, get up and off a sliproad, move out and around things without having to wring the crap out of it, and tbh I have around 160hp/tonne. I've driven and owned quicker cars, the experience is pretty much the same, throttle isnt an on/off switch, it's something to be used in measures
In gear acceleration is more important to me than out and out speed, having the ability to quickly zap past someone, get up and off a sliproad, move out and around things without having to wring the crap out of it, and tbh I have around 160hp/tonne. I've driven and owned quicker cars, the experience is pretty much the same, throttle isnt an on/off switch, it's something to be used in measures
Major Fallout said:
Lucky if I could get down 100bhp today in the TVR, spent about 20min trying to keep it in a straight line then gave up and let it slide around a bit.
IMO a car that feels fast is more fun on the road than a car that is fast.You could be bored in my old 911 when you were well into licence losing territory, but a drive in the Griff is never boring.
mikerons88 said:
Even if you already have an Atom with a supercharged honda type r engine?
The Atom won't fall over if you're not sitting on it. The sensation of riding a motorbike, even a slow one at first, is incredible and not even a 'gusty' little track toy car can replicate that. Plus, there is no performance vehicle that lets you use as much of the power, as much of the time, as a sports bike. With a car, especially bigger performance cars, you're always waiting for the right clear road with wide enough corners to really stretch out. On a bike, the ability to pile on speed is unlike anything else, such that you can enjoy a squirt much more often and thus get more enjoyment. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff