What power is sensible for the road?
Discussion
Inspired by the Reliable 1000bhp thread.
Also no smart comments about only needing what will get you to 70mph either.
J4CKO said:
Is a 1000 bhp fairly pointless in most applications though ?
The Veyron was engineered to deploy it, as a package, whereas something that just has 1000 bhp sounds fun, I would
imagine it would be a mixture of utter terror, expense and limited opportunities to actually use it, without 4wd it wont make its way to the tarmac, most 4wd systems wont put up with it and self destruct and RWD being the other option just results in a lot of smoke or the requirement for drag slicks.
Great in Gran Turismo, Dragsters and Gran Turismo but a 1000 bhp road car sounds like overkill to me.
Still, wouldn't mind finding out for myself.
What power would be sensible not to be an overkill on the road. I know this will depend on the setup and the drive train etc. The Veyron was engineered to deploy it, as a package, whereas something that just has 1000 bhp sounds fun, I would
imagine it would be a mixture of utter terror, expense and limited opportunities to actually use it, without 4wd it wont make its way to the tarmac, most 4wd systems wont put up with it and self destruct and RWD being the other option just results in a lot of smoke or the requirement for drag slicks.
Great in Gran Turismo, Dragsters and Gran Turismo but a 1000 bhp road car sounds like overkill to me.
Still, wouldn't mind finding out for myself.
Also no smart comments about only needing what will get you to 70mph either.
LeeThr said:
Inspired by the Reliable 1000bhp thread.
Also no smart comments about only needing what will get you to 70mph either.
I think that 414 BHP is just about right. J4CKO said:
Is a 1000 bhp fairly pointless in most applications though ?
The Veyron was engineered to deploy it, as a package, whereas something that just has 1000 bhp sounds fun, I would
imagine it would be a mixture of utter terror, expense and limited opportunities to actually use it, without 4wd it wont make its way to the tarmac, most 4wd systems wont put up with it and self destruct and RWD being the other option just results in a lot of smoke or the requirement for drag slicks.
Great in Gran Turismo, Dragsters and Gran Turismo but a 1000 bhp road car sounds like overkill to me.
Still, wouldn't mind finding out for myself.
What power would be sensible not to be an overkill on the road. I know this will depend on the setup and the drive train etc. The Veyron was engineered to deploy it, as a package, whereas something that just has 1000 bhp sounds fun, I would
imagine it would be a mixture of utter terror, expense and limited opportunities to actually use it, without 4wd it wont make its way to the tarmac, most 4wd systems wont put up with it and self destruct and RWD being the other option just results in a lot of smoke or the requirement for drag slicks.
Great in Gran Turismo, Dragsters and Gran Turismo but a 1000 bhp road car sounds like overkill to me.
Still, wouldn't mind finding out for myself.
Also no smart comments about only needing what will get you to 70mph either.
RWD cossie wil said:
About 400Bhp is entertaining, but you can NEVER have too much power 
I know you can never have too much power. What im getting at is at what point does it start to become too impracticle for daily use. Like I know I wouldnt like to be sat in one of Londons rush hour 10mph traffic jams in a 900bhp supra.I'm not convinced by this 'you can never have too much power' statement if we're talking real-world roads. I think I prefer cars that can comfortably cruise on motorways, yet get close to their limits and thrill you on A- and B-roads if you so desire.
I often look at these German barges, with their automatic gearboxes, 155mph limiters and enormous power outputs stuck on motorways, and I wonder under what circumstances is that car worth the extra outlay over the mid-range diesel. Top-end's the same, interior spec's the same, interaction with the car's controls is the same, engine's silenced to within an inch of it's life so exhaust note is pretty similar, fuel economy, tax, insurance and servicing costs are all considerably worse, all they have going for them really is acceleration, which can often be bettered, equalled or at least approached by cars that are considerably less powerful, but lighter and more fun more of the time.
They make sense in Germany on derestricted autobahns, but that really does seem to be it. I can't understand why they're so popular for many reasons other than bragging rights and wad-waving.
I often look at these German barges, with their automatic gearboxes, 155mph limiters and enormous power outputs stuck on motorways, and I wonder under what circumstances is that car worth the extra outlay over the mid-range diesel. Top-end's the same, interior spec's the same, interaction with the car's controls is the same, engine's silenced to within an inch of it's life so exhaust note is pretty similar, fuel economy, tax, insurance and servicing costs are all considerably worse, all they have going for them really is acceleration, which can often be bettered, equalled or at least approached by cars that are considerably less powerful, but lighter and more fun more of the time.
They make sense in Germany on derestricted autobahns, but that really does seem to be it. I can't understand why they're so popular for many reasons other than bragging rights and wad-waving.
imho 300bhp is decent. when i was a kid 200bhp was the entry level to high performance, 300 has kind of replaced it in terms of being significant over most normal new stuff. 400 is properly healthy and anything over that is purely for the sake of it.
Edited by y282 on Monday 3rd January 12:31
twazzock said:
Urban Sports said:
Surely in this country you only need enough power to get to 70mph 
marcosgt said:
It doesn't matter as long as the car can put it down in a tractable and docile manner.
Having 1000BHP doesn't mean you can't tootle along at 10MPH in traffic.
Power's not the problem, it's how you've obtained it and how the car delivers it.
M
Yes I know that, but with the clutch you would need to handle that power how long are you gonna lost stop start traffic?Having 1000BHP doesn't mean you can't tootle along at 10MPH in traffic.
Power's not the problem, it's how you've obtained it and how the car delivers it.
M
twazzock said:
Urban Sports said:
Surely in this country you only need enough power to get to 70mph
200 is more like it for a quick safe move. 300 is fun, 400 ideal. More is just indulgence, but well, by and large we are an aspirational race are we not?
LeeThr said:
marcosgt said:
It doesn't matter as long as the car can put it down in a tractable and docile manner.
Having 1000BHP doesn't mean you can't tootle along at 10MPH in traffic.
Power's not the problem, it's how you've obtained it and how the car delivers it.
M
Yes I know that, but with the clutch you would need to handle that power how long are you gonna lost stop start traffic?Having 1000BHP doesn't mean you can't tootle along at 10MPH in traffic.
Power's not the problem, it's how you've obtained it and how the car delivers it.
M
ewenm said:
LeeThr said:
marcosgt said:
It doesn't matter as long as the car can put it down in a tractable and docile manner.
Having 1000BHP doesn't mean you can't tootle along at 10MPH in traffic.
Power's not the problem, it's how you've obtained it and how the car delivers it.
M
Yes I know that, but with the clutch you would need to handle that power how long are you gonna lost stop start traffic?Having 1000BHP doesn't mean you can't tootle along at 10MPH in traffic.
Power's not the problem, it's how you've obtained it and how the car delivers it.
M
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