What power is sensible for the road?
Discussion
Bit daft trying to put a number on something to arbitary as 'power' when it's all down to the sense and sensibility of the driver to maintain control (and speed) appropriate to the conditions?
Kinda like we've sucked up all this government bs about speed kills, 'too much power', etc.. Please think about a 50cc restricted moped in the wrong handscould be lethal (often is), as is a 20 year old car in the hands of a half blind & totally confused pensioner driving the wrong way down a motorway in winter in the rain, etc., etc..
All IMHO of course, but I don't like to think that there are people who believe "the correct answer is XXX" to this sort of question. It's all about driver training and education and learning about appropriateness and inappropriateness, which is best done both on and off the public highway.
Kinda like we've sucked up all this government bs about speed kills, 'too much power', etc.. Please think about a 50cc restricted moped in the wrong handscould be lethal (often is), as is a 20 year old car in the hands of a half blind & totally confused pensioner driving the wrong way down a motorway in winter in the rain, etc., etc..
All IMHO of course, but I don't like to think that there are people who believe "the correct answer is XXX" to this sort of question. It's all about driver training and education and learning about appropriateness and inappropriateness, which is best done both on and off the public highway.
Is it sad of me that I've only got 60bhp in mine and find it perfectly ok for my daily commute? 
On the other hand, my old cars used to be around 200-250bhp/ton and it was spot on, although driving at 60mph was tough as it felt like a coiled spring. Ive got used in my current daily to just chill and not go super fast, but when i do I can overtake cars due more to my knowledge of the route than power. I can keep up with powerful cars quite easily on the roads I take to work, more down to knowledge and driving skill than outright power! In an ideal world though, I prefer to be able to overtake as quick as possible to minimize the risk, my old cars where perfect for it.
On the other hand, my old cars used to be around 200-250bhp/ton and it was spot on, although driving at 60mph was tough as it felt like a coiled spring. Ive got used in my current daily to just chill and not go super fast, but when i do I can overtake cars due more to my knowledge of the route than power. I can keep up with powerful cars quite easily on the roads I take to work, more down to knowledge and driving skill than outright power! In an ideal world though, I prefer to be able to overtake as quick as possible to minimize the risk, my old cars where perfect for it.
B.J.W said:
I think that 414 BHP is just about right. 
Audi? BMW?That's what I have in an M3. It is pretty rare that I use all of it, but when I do I enjoy it. I virtually never wish it was more. I don't have any experience of cars with much higher power to weight than the M3; but given the very very short periods of time for which I can use all the power in my current car, and the challenge of starting and finishing the acceleration smoothly, while using the maximum available in the middle, I think I would find a supercar somewhat frustrating. When I was driven in a 599 (620 bhp?), as a passenger it seemed fairly bland even when it was already travelling quite quickly.
Is there anybody here who has any interest at all in speed limits, and yet finds supercar performance useful?
Up to the level of the M3's performance, I find that more performance does bring me more pleasure. However, there is no way that I need high performance to enjoy driving. In day to day driving I reckon that I travel at pretty much the same speed in my daughter's 1.25 Fiesta (80 bhp?), albeit more accuracy is needed with gear selection, and more care to blend with traffic at higher speeds (eg joining motorways).
LeeThr said:
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
I commute in my fiancées 1.4 fiesta, and it's nearly quick enough. I reckon the 100bhp 1.6 would do. Sometimes when moving out to overtake or coming off a roundabout I wish it had more power but it gets to 70mph in acceptable time for me.
I enjoy my 3.2 A3 with 250bhp and for my level of talent and bravery it's more than enough for me on the road.
I enjoy my 3.2 A3 with 250bhp and for my level of talent and bravery it's more than enough for me on the road.
I've recently come to the conclusion that my bike, which is around 450bhp/tonne with fuel and rider, is too much for the road. It's frustrating at legal speeds and travelling waaaaay too fast if enjoyed properly.
Commuter bike and car both have around 200bhp/tonne and I can have fun with those without feeling too anti-social.
Commuter bike and car both have around 200bhp/tonne and I can have fun with those without feeling too anti-social.
Urban Sports said:
Surely in this country you only need enough power to get to 70mph 
You may have "a bite" here (I say this because looking at your fleet, you wouldn't drive those cars if you never intended to go above 70mph), but in his first post, the Op said:LeeThr said:
Also no smart comments about only needing what will get you to 70mph either.
Learn to read...or get out. Please.Around 200bhp/ton
Much more and it requires less skill to drive fast on the road.
IE with 1000bhp you may as well leave it in top to overtake, no point changing down.
Indeed I don't find any modern cars fun to drive with their wide tyres, ABS, Anti skid there isn't much skill needed hence not much chance of getting it wrong, hence no adrenaline, hence no fun.
Yes cars with 100bhp/ton may well be more fun but speed and the ability to overtake is fun too.
Much more and it requires less skill to drive fast on the road.
IE with 1000bhp you may as well leave it in top to overtake, no point changing down.
Indeed I don't find any modern cars fun to drive with their wide tyres, ABS, Anti skid there isn't much skill needed hence not much chance of getting it wrong, hence no adrenaline, hence no fun.
Yes cars with 100bhp/ton may well be more fun but speed and the ability to overtake is fun too.
Ignoring the driver for a moment, I don't think the peak HP figures matters that much - drivability is influenced by too many other things to put a definitive figure on it. - As someone else said: Look at the Veyron. It's been said that in town, it's as easy to drive as a Golf, despite having aircraft levels of power. On the other hand, a Rover 100 with 300BHP (without the proper drivetrain alterations) would be a recipe for disaster.
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