Hp v Car Weight, how heavy is heavy?

[b0son]

Originally Posted by mik

Going the other direction losing weight should help every area.

except safety

HP is where it's at, specifically, the area under the horsepower curve WRT rpm, and from that stems torque (and importantly, the shape of the power curve it produces) and gearing (to maximize the area under the curve between gear changes).

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by mik

When you look at it which gives the single highest benefit, it must be weight,
If you add more horsepower there can be some cost in reliability, fuel consumption, tyres, and there is no guarantee you will go around the corner faster.
Going the other direction losing weight should help every area.

Agreed - but expensive.


Boson:

except safety

HP is where it's at, specifically, the area under the horsepower curve WRT rpm, and from that stems torque (and importantly, the shape of the power curve it produces) and gearing (to maximize the area under the curve between gear changes).

Actually, less weight has safety benefits- better braking, better handling to avoid collision, and once crunch comes, less weight which is in the newton formula as a factor in crunch seriousness.

[mik]

i know its not practical , but theres a Youtube video from years ago, somewhere about , where a guy took took rental economy car to the drags , hyundai XL i think ? and and every run he took/removed stuff, doors, interior, spare tyre, bonnet , etc ,etc , by the time he finished he had a 14 second car ..... sort of ???

[FPV+fteT3]

Adding lightness makes cars faster everywhere where as adding HP to overcome excess weight only makes it fast in a straight line.

ACBC

[FG50T]

200hp/980kg is the best power to weight car I've ever driven and the most stable at any speed surprisingly. I'd go light everyday of the week if it were possible. Anything over 1600kg is too much for liking but that's the way it goes now.

[Qwerty321]

On the race track light cars are definitely the better choice, but on the highways and open roads you're going to want one of the heavier cars. The weight helps dampen out any bumps and uneven surfaces, so the ride comfort is greatly increased. Plus, heavy cars have this planted secure feeling that many drivers find comforting at high speeds.

Also, why do you think cars are getting heavier? Cause manufacturers are loading them with more gadgets, comfy seats and safety equipment. The only way to reduce weight is to get rid of some of those or make the car smaller, which is a trade off most buyers (myself included) aren't willing to make for their daily drivers and highway cruisers.

The reason why models like the Falcon, Commodore, 300, 5/7 Series etc. will just keep getting larger and heavier is because they are designed and built as "Performance Sedans", they're primarily highway cruisers not race cars, so weight reduction doesn't fit the market they cater for. On the other hand if you go for race bred cars like the Porches or even the RX-8, you'll find weight reduction to be a big part of their design. They're "Performance Coupes", designed for the race track, not the highway long haul.


To answer Maka's initial question. I'd take a heavy car with bulk HP over a light car any day for my main car, only cause I may see a race track once every year if I'm lucky, but the highway/motorway twice a day.

[Sprint]

The only problem with light cars is that about 220-240kph you wish it was heavier as that is take off speed lol. Definitely need aero/downforce after that.

[Maka]

Originally Posted by Sprint

The only problem with light cars is that about 220-240kph you wish it was heavier as that is take off speed lol. Definitely need aero/downforce after that.

Yep & at that speed you will need a parachute lol, lightweight & too short a wheelbase not a good mix!!!

cheer's, Maka