Best car for steep gradients?

[ZX10R NIN]

DarrenFromLeeds said:

I’ll be covering Bristol and Exeter from now on in my job. Yesterday, I encountered some steep climbs… it was like my Mercedes C200d just lost all steam. The speed dropped from 70mph to 59mph on a steep gradient. My ears were immediately blocked from the pressure.

Any recommendations for a decent hill climber?
More torque at lower RPM? High RPM and low torque?
What would be up to the job?

I don’t carry a lot of equipment. Some plumbing tools and replacement parts from time to time.

Cheers

The simplist solution would be to remap your current car it'll ad 40-50bhp but more importantly 75-90lbft of torque.

[Fat hippo]

ZX10R NIN said:

DarrenFromLeeds said:

I’ll be covering Bristol and Exeter from now on in my job. Yesterday, I encountered some steep climbs… it was like my Mercedes C200d just lost all steam. The speed dropped from 70mph to 59mph on a steep gradient. My ears were immediately blocked from the pressure.

Any recommendations for a decent hill climber?
More torque at lower RPM? High RPM and low torque?
What would be up to the job?

I don’t carry a lot of equipment. Some plumbing tools and replacement parts from time to time.

Cheers

The simplist solution would be to remap your current car it'll ad 40-50bhp but more importantly 75-90lbft of torque.

Or get a 335d mapped.

[S80]

Out and about yesterday in my 115bhp 1.6D V60 ‘commuter’ car. Had the car up to 60 mph from standing out of the petrol station on the hill out of Dolgellau on the A470, where the crawler lane section is, got left for dust by one of the Fiestas in the Rally North Wales but the Focus ST behind didn’t get by!

In terms of gearing it, I took it up to at least 2750/3000 rpm before changing up.

Also climbed up out of Pont-rhyd-y-groes, don’t know the gradient in technical terms, it’s just bloody steep, but with a hairpin half way up that needs 2nd gear really, took a gamble as could see it was clear, kept in third, then buried the right foot and had it up to 40mph in 3rd, approx 3250rpm, then changed up about 3/4 of the way up. Then stopped at the top for the view. The Skoda Citigo that was behind came by about 5 minutes later

Think it’s the steepest hill I’ve ever driven, climbs from 130m to 260m over 1mile, between the two red lines. Still, nice view from the top.

[Powerfully Built Company Directors Secretary]

DarrenFromLeeds said:

Always wanted to see these live. Thread jacking myself here but wonder if there is a place in the UK to watch or even drive one?!

I've actually driven that exact monster truck. Blacklands Farm in Sussex does driving experiences and I got one for a birthday one year and that was the one! Good fun! Very noisy, bumpy and the brakes weren't great but..!

I'm 5ft 11, and my eyeline was just below the top of the tyre!

[iphonedyou]

hyperblue said:

Probably easier to change gear than change your car.

[V8mate]

shake n bake said:

A remap will do the trick.

And fold the rear seats down.

[Zarco]

V8mate said:

shake n bake said:

A remap will do the trick.

And fold the rear seats down.

Are yes, better weight distribution.

[HustleRussell]

Zarco said:

V8mate said:

shake n bake said:

A remap will do the trick.

And fold the rear seats down.

Are yes, better weight distribution.

Cadence clutching