Numbers, numbers, numbers.

[cymatty]

Now before I start I hope that people understand the question I am asking.

Ok here a stats from a few cars.

Mini Cooper S JCW

BHP 210
0-60 6.6
Top Speed 143
BHP per Ton 187

Mondeo ST220
BHP 220
0-60 6.8
Top Speed 146
BHP per Ton 146

Elise sport 160

BHP 158
0-60 5.2
Top Speed 135
BHP per Ton 217

Saxo VTR
BHP 98
0-60 9.3
Top Speed 117
BHP per Ton 99

Ok so my point is, I thought that power to weight is a big factor in a car performance but from the above it would seem not ( look at the st220 vs JCW), What do these figures tell us about the power delivery of the cars if anything? ANyone driven any of the above who can tell me about the power delivery?

Well for example the first thing I notice is that powere to weight seems to mean nothing for top end speed, it seems for top end grunt you need a lot of power.

 

[cymatty]

Well another point the BHP per ton is a lot higher in the JCW, but according to those figures it has a similar 0-60 and top speed. So where does the extra BHP per ton come into play?

 

[cymatty]

They both have similar bhp, so similar top speeds

If the mini weighs less you might presume it will handle and accelerate better but its not guaranteed. 0-60 figures arent always that accurate, check them out in person if you can

All the figures are from Evo so I presume they are fairly accurate.

 

[cymatty]

Does the JCW need third for 60 or is there another reason why it has a much larger bhp per ton than the ST220, but not a much quicker 0-60?

 

[cymatty]

If you look at standing quater times there is a much closer correlation between power to weight and time.

Does anyone have a qtr mile time for the above cars?

Well found one
15.29 Dangerous ST220

 

[cymatty]

Mini JCW

0-60 mph:6.3 sec
0-100 mph:16.3 sec
¼ mile:14.9 sec @ 96 mph
Top Speed:143 mph

Mondeo ST220

0-60mph 7.28
0-100mph 18.77
1.4 Mile 15.65 @91.33

Saxo VTR

Citroen Saxo VTR
0-60mph 9.45
0-100mph 30.08
1/4 mile 17.95 @ 77.25


Lotus Elise S1 Sport 160
0-60mph 5.32
0-100mph 14.22
1.4 mile 13.76 @98.36

 

[cymatty]

There you go!!
The 0-100mph and 1/4 mile reveals the mini is actually quite a bit quicker than an ST220.

So power to weight will help to get a fast start to a quarter mile or to 100mph, however beyond that brute force wins the day. So 0-100 it is elsie, mini, st220. However 100-120 it will be st220, mini then the elsie?

 

[cymatty]

For me I'd take a Mini GP anyday, truly amazing cars and great styling, plus they stand out from other mini's and are rare. Get the Mini GP.

This is just a speculative look at my potential options in the next 12 months, I am trying to gather some background info as it is to early to sart looking yet.

 

[cymatty]

From what I've heard the ride in the GP isn't much better than a well sorted S160.

That said, I'd not buy an Elise unless I had another car, or you're buying an S2.

Nope if I buy one it will be a 2000 s1 160.

 

[cymatty]

I say this as because in anything other than 1st gear and partially 2nd, a 330 will picking up quicker than an Elise, although it has a slower 0-100 time.

Really.

BMW 330 Sport

0-60 6.82
0-100 17.92
qtr mile 15.19 @92.06

So Lotus 60-100 = 8.9 secs
BMW 60-100= 11.1 secs

 

[cymatty]

You can't really use the 0-100 times to work out the 60-100.

Why not? if you know the 0-60 time and the 0-100 time surely the difference is the 60-100 time?

 

[cymatty]

Becuase with 0-100, the car is at maximum acceleration the second it passed 60mph. With 60-100, the car is travelling at a set speed before acceleration begins. If that makes any sense?

Yes I see what you mean, but surely a maximum acceleration 60-100 sprint will have some correlation with a normal 60-100 dash?