Power, Now vs Then vs Reality
Discussion
Was just reading the Maserati thread, got me thinking
Someone bemoaned the Maseratis lack of power "Just 375 BHP", a piffling amount apparently from an engine of that specification, barely enough for it to get out of its own way
It has to be looked at in the context of 12 years ago, things have changed and 375 bhp isnt that powerful these days, I think a lot of people just play Top Trumps and read magazines, ok SUV's come with 500 bhp plus, as do Mercs, BMW's and Audi's, 375 bhp is sort of sub AMG/M Power levels of power for high end diesels and petrols but these generally now have 4wd and or ESP and weigh two tonnes plus. It kind of reminds me of how modern Fighter planes are unflyable by a pilot without the electronics being in the middle to stabilise the aircraft and interpret the pilots inputs, rather than a mechanical connection.
Cars these days are set up for driveability, economy and safety. Modern cars are faster, no doubt but to some extent they are like a de-clawed, tamed and sanitised version of what went before, Wags drive Cayenne Turbo's with 500 bhp with no issue day in day out, anyone can get in pretty much any high end car and if they dont piss about with the ESP controls it wont spit them off the road but put them in the Maserati, a Cerbera or a Lotus Carlton and lets see how far they get if they take liberties with the throttle when its damp and cold, lets hear their opinion on whether it is not much power after 40 fast miles, obviously after they have spoken to their mummies first I am no driving god and am having to re-learn rwd and am not ashamed to say 208 bhp is plenty for me at the moment.
I think we get a bit blase about power now, suspect people who do go from a modern, powerful car to an older one are in for some potential shocks, I am driving a 944 S2 after a Saab with another 40 bhp, have to say the Saab was easy to drive and you could take (relative) liberties being FWD and having all the electronics but am quite wary of this even though they dont have that bad a reputation (a good Reputation doesnt always keep you out of hedges), also in the PH scheme of things its slow but I think it is quick enough, I got to 80 odd mph down a country road plenty quick enough which was too quick so it makes me wonder where and how fast some of those who say 200/300 bhp isnt much are driving and how fast they are going !
I have decided I dont care how much power someone else has or how fast they can go as long as I am enjoying my driving, if not, thats when I will get another car.
Someone bemoaned the Maseratis lack of power "Just 375 BHP", a piffling amount apparently from an engine of that specification, barely enough for it to get out of its own way
It has to be looked at in the context of 12 years ago, things have changed and 375 bhp isnt that powerful these days, I think a lot of people just play Top Trumps and read magazines, ok SUV's come with 500 bhp plus, as do Mercs, BMW's and Audi's, 375 bhp is sort of sub AMG/M Power levels of power for high end diesels and petrols but these generally now have 4wd and or ESP and weigh two tonnes plus. It kind of reminds me of how modern Fighter planes are unflyable by a pilot without the electronics being in the middle to stabilise the aircraft and interpret the pilots inputs, rather than a mechanical connection.
Cars these days are set up for driveability, economy and safety. Modern cars are faster, no doubt but to some extent they are like a de-clawed, tamed and sanitised version of what went before, Wags drive Cayenne Turbo's with 500 bhp with no issue day in day out, anyone can get in pretty much any high end car and if they dont piss about with the ESP controls it wont spit them off the road but put them in the Maserati, a Cerbera or a Lotus Carlton and lets see how far they get if they take liberties with the throttle when its damp and cold, lets hear their opinion on whether it is not much power after 40 fast miles, obviously after they have spoken to their mummies first
I am no driving god and am having to re-learn rwd and am not ashamed to say 208 bhp is plenty for me at the moment.I think we get a bit blase about power now, suspect people who do go from a modern, powerful car to an older one are in for some potential shocks, I am driving a 944 S2 after a Saab with another 40 bhp, have to say the Saab was easy to drive and you could take (relative) liberties being FWD and having all the electronics but am quite wary of this even though they dont have that bad a reputation (a good Reputation doesnt always keep you out of hedges), also in the PH scheme of things its slow but I think it is quick enough, I got to 80 odd mph down a country road plenty quick enough which was too quick so it makes me wonder where and how fast some of those who say 200/300 bhp isnt much are driving and how fast they are going !
I have decided I dont care how much power someone else has or how fast they can go as long as I am enjoying my driving, if not, thats when I will get another car.
J4CKO said:
Was just reading the Maserati thread, got me thinking
Someone bemoaned the Maseratis lack of power "Just 375 BHP", a piffling amount apparently from an engine of that specification, barely enough for it to get out of its own way
It has to be looked at in the context of 12 years ago, things have changed and 375 bhp isnt that powerful these days, I think a lot of people just play Top Trumps and read magazines, ok SUV's come with 500 bhp plus, as do Mercs, BMW's and Audi's, 375 bhp is sort of sub AMG/M Power levels of power for high end diesels and petrols but these generally now have 4wd and or ESP and weigh two tonnes plus. It kind of reminds me of how modern Fighter planes are unflyable by a pilot without the electronics being in the middle to stabilise the aircraft and interpret the pilots inputs, rather than a mechanical connection.
Cars these days are set up for driveability, economy and safety. Modern cars are faster, no doubt but to some extent they are like a de-clawed, tamed and sanitised version of what went before, Wags drive Cayenne Turbo's with 500 bhp with no issue day in day out, anyone can get in pretty much any high end car and if they dont piss about with the ESP controls it wont spit them off the road but put them in the Maserati, a Cerbera or a Lotus Carlton and lets see how far they get if they take liberties with the throttle when its damp and cold, lets hear their opinion on whether it is not much power after 40 fast miles, obviously after they have spoken to their mummies first I am no driving god and am having to re-learn rwd and am not ashamed to say 208 bhp is plenty for me at the moment.
I think we get a bit blase about power now, suspect people who do go from a modern, powerful car to an older one are in for some potential shocks, I am driving a 944 S2 after a Saab with another 40 bhp, have to say the Saab was easy to drive and you could take (relative) liberties being FWD and having all the electronics but am quite wary of this even though they dont have that bad a reputation (a good Reputation doesnt always keep you out of hedges), also in the PH scheme of things its slow but I think it is quick enough, I got to 80 odd mph down a country road plenty quick enough which was too quick so it makes me wonder where and how fast some of those who say 200/300 bhp isnt much are driving and how fast they are going !
I have decided I dont care how much power someone else has or how fast they can go as long as I am enjoying my driving, if not, thats when I will get another car.
Good post. I agree.Someone bemoaned the Maseratis lack of power "Just 375 BHP", a piffling amount apparently from an engine of that specification, barely enough for it to get out of its own way
It has to be looked at in the context of 12 years ago, things have changed and 375 bhp isnt that powerful these days, I think a lot of people just play Top Trumps and read magazines, ok SUV's come with 500 bhp plus, as do Mercs, BMW's and Audi's, 375 bhp is sort of sub AMG/M Power levels of power for high end diesels and petrols but these generally now have 4wd and or ESP and weigh two tonnes plus. It kind of reminds me of how modern Fighter planes are unflyable by a pilot without the electronics being in the middle to stabilise the aircraft and interpret the pilots inputs, rather than a mechanical connection.
Cars these days are set up for driveability, economy and safety. Modern cars are faster, no doubt but to some extent they are like a de-clawed, tamed and sanitised version of what went before, Wags drive Cayenne Turbo's with 500 bhp with no issue day in day out, anyone can get in pretty much any high end car and if they dont piss about with the ESP controls it wont spit them off the road but put them in the Maserati, a Cerbera or a Lotus Carlton and lets see how far they get if they take liberties with the throttle when its damp and cold, lets hear their opinion on whether it is not much power after 40 fast miles, obviously after they have spoken to their mummies first
I am no driving god and am having to re-learn rwd and am not ashamed to say 208 bhp is plenty for me at the moment.I think we get a bit blase about power now, suspect people who do go from a modern, powerful car to an older one are in for some potential shocks, I am driving a 944 S2 after a Saab with another 40 bhp, have to say the Saab was easy to drive and you could take (relative) liberties being FWD and having all the electronics but am quite wary of this even though they dont have that bad a reputation (a good Reputation doesnt always keep you out of hedges), also in the PH scheme of things its slow but I think it is quick enough, I got to 80 odd mph down a country road plenty quick enough which was too quick so it makes me wonder where and how fast some of those who say 200/300 bhp isnt much are driving and how fast they are going !
I have decided I dont care how much power someone else has or how fast they can go as long as I am enjoying my driving, if not, thats when I will get another car.
Im quite looking forward to just having 200-300hp again, after a year of pain in an old Jeep.
Reardy Mister said:
But ask the man if he'd rather have a 600cc or a 1000?
Rawwr said:
As I just posted on another thread: I'd rather drive a 200bhp car 90% than a 400bhp car at 50%.
Just because it sounds cool on PH? 
I don't understand why would anyone want to limit the horsepower. The throttle doesn't work 0/1. If the car is driveable (as in doesn't require triple plate clutch, drag gearbox etc) I'm more than happy to drive a 1000hp car at 20%, just so I can use ALL THE POWER three times a year.
rottie102 said:
I don't understand why would anyone want to limit the horsepower.
Because (at least for me) the fun in driving a car comes from pushing a car as close to its limits as I safety can, and all other things being equal a slower car can generally get closer to its limits for longer than a faster one. Raising any of the limits of a car past a certain point, be it straight line speed, traction or cornering grip, generally makes it less fun to drive, for me. Things are different on a track - in a track car I'd always take more power unless it compromises responsiveness.
Personally, I'm slightly baffled as to why people want powerful cars on the road. It just seems a complete waste of time to me. Maybe it's just because it sounds cool on PH?
Edited by kambites on Thursday 9th February 12:20
I think over the last 10/15 years, power outputs have been spiralling and more has always equalled better as there had been a shortage of bhp for most people, these days its easy to put yourself in a 400/500 bhp car for not a lot of money, especially if you can fuel and insure it, I think more people will catch on that actually to enjoy driving it isnt always more = better and that it isnt all about straight line acceleration, it is a nice feeling but only part of the equation, if it were the be all and end all the Audi RS6 with a remap to 700 bhp would be the best selling car and nobody would mention the old F40 because the Veyron is faster.
rottie102 said:
Rawwr said:
As I just posted on another thread: I'd rather drive a 200bhp car 90% than a 400bhp car at 50%.
Just because it sounds cool on PH? I don't understand why would anyone want to limit the horsepower. The throttle doesn't work 0/1. If the car is driveable (as in doesn't require triple plate clutch, drag gearbox etc) I'm more than happy to drive a 1000hp car at 20%, just so I can use ALL THE POWER three times a year.
rottie102 said:
Rawwr said:
As I just posted on another thread: I'd rather drive a 200bhp car 90% than a 400bhp car at 50%.
Just because it sounds cool on PH? I don't understand why would anyone want to limit the horsepower. The throttle doesn't work 0/1. If the car is driveable (as in doesn't require triple plate clutch, drag gearbox etc) I'm more than happy to drive a 1000hp car at 20%, just so I can use ALL THE POWER three times a year.
kambites said:
Personally, I'm slightly baffled as to why people want powerful cars on the road. It just seems a complete waste of time to me. Maybe it's just because it sounds cool on PH?
You need the power to overtake the folk who plod along slowly in the NSLs. The more power you have, the quicker you can dispatch them. 
bennyboysvuk said:
kambites said:
Personally, I'm slightly baffled as to why people want powerful cars on the road. It just seems a complete waste of time to me. Maybe it's just because it sounds cool on PH?
You need the power to overtake the folk who plod along slowly in the NSLs. The more power you have, the quicker you can dispatch them. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff