Interesting, but.... (archive)

1. Acceleration test data from R&T (and most all others) are not all acquired at the same track or under the same conditions, with cars in equal condition, and are corrected to sea level using an imperically derived calculation, that does not adequately consider all pertinant variables.

2. There are as many variables effecting 60-100 as there are 0-whatever. Power curves, gear ratios, and aerodynamics all impact the 60-100 time. Aerodynamics may be as great a variable in 60-100 times as the launch is to 0-60 times!

3. Initial launch impacts the entire run. If you are slow out of the gate, the inertia at the exit of the first segment reduces the potential into the second segment, etc.... So, yes a poor launch will kill 60-100 times. Anyone who has ever done much drag racing can tell you that every single inch of the track impacts the next inch, with infuriating consistency! AAAARGH!

4. Acceleration tests for sports cars are totally worthless for anything but bench racing. In-line performance is not what sports cars do best. It's about cornering, handling prowess, road grip, stability, and predictability, etc., coupled with enough power to make it all work.

Example: If you were allowed to choose the perfect car for a weekend at Laguna Seca from the following, which would you choose?

John Force Mustang Funny Car
Micheal Andretti CART car

Based on 0-60 times, 1-100, 60-100, 1/4 mile, horsepower numbers, etc., you'd have to go for the Funny car, but I think we can all agree that would be a poor choice for lapping Laguna Seca, yes? Now, change the venue to the Pomona Winternationals, and the decision making takes an entirely different tack!

Bottom line is, 0-60, 0-100, 60-100, 1/4 mile, whatever... in-line acceleration tests are statistical bate for selling magazines and cars to those who don't understand or care to get into real vehicle dynamics. The tests do not define what makes a great sports car. Unfortunately, the thing that makes a great sports car is very very difficult to define in statistically derived numbers represented in neat little tables.

In other words, screw the numbers, drive the cars! Drive them where you intend to drive them, and pick the one that does the most things right! If that means you find a 130hp Mini more exciting than a Porsche GT2, then... go for it!

I believe I have come up with a very good way of evening the playing field among top cars in terms of their acceleration.

Follow Ups:

modicum of a priori knowledge here. coky 14:27 9/17/2001 (0)
yes, but... Ben FR 11:53 9/17/2001 (0)

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