Hp v Car Weight, how heavy is heavy?

[Maka]

With their factory power outputs now starting to really hit the stratosphere, a lot of the newer performance & sports cars have also seen their weight balloon up & up.

I think it would be interesting to find out what your opinion on this is -

Is the weight of a car as important to you as hp & what would you prefer - a heavy car with bulk hp or a light car with not so much power? Whats a good weight for these two class of cars?

I'm a fan of high hp cars for sure but not so much the weight.

cheer's, Maka

[Kable72]

If you're looking at power to weight, you need to factor Torque into the equation.

[Express]

2000kg plus in most cases is too heavy regardless of the driveline package as you can feel it fighting you on turn in.

1000kg is fantastic but you’d be limited by the use of something designed to be that light.

1600kg with a good engine combo would be ideal but the materials required to get something like a modern day family sedan to that weight would make it a very high priced item.


I drive a 135i and its light compared to a family sedan but heavy compared to something like a MX-5.

It feels good on the road with a good compromise on power to weight but is impractical for family duties.


Funny enough my XY feels like a nice compromise in the driving department but has nothing to offer when it comes to creature comforts.


Given that in this day and age you can’t really have both without a lot of compromise and the fact I’m a V8 man through and through, I’d take power over weight.

[mik]

Originally Posted by Kable72

If you're looking at power to weight, you need to factor Torque into the equation.

gearing too.

[jimt3te50]

Hp > everything

[Maka]

Totally agree with the sentiments so far, i think 1750 - 1800kg is about right for a performance car today. Sports car's today are pretty diverse so a weight of up to 1650kg for rwd / awd, fwd 1450kg Imo.

With todays tech & money to burn, you can build or buy whatever your heart desires, 4 door or 2 door, v8 or turbo, a dragstrip or circuit warrior or a green solar meanie! Bang for buck though, you cant beat Oz's finest!

cheer's, Maka

[99AUXR]

One of the funnest cars I have driven was a car recently around a race track in the states. Brand new Porsche GT3. . . Perfect HP and chassis, came away a changed man for sure. So nimble and those brakes were well, unbelievable.

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by 99AUXR

One of the funnest cars I have driven was a car recently around a race track in the states. Brand new Porsche GT3. . . Perfect HP and chassis, came away a changed man for sure. So nimble and those brakes were well, unbelievable.

pics not loading bro??

[99AUXR]

One minute mate.

[Maka]

Originally Posted by 99AUXR

One of the funnest cars I have driven was a car recently around a race track in the states. Brand new Porsche GT3. . . Perfect HP and chassis, came away a changed man for sure. So nimble and those brakes were well, unbelievable.

That would of been mental 99AUXR! How did the rr engine placement at the back feel steering wise? Was the back end nice & quiet coming out of tightish corners?

Those gt3's are a super focused track machine, nice, light & tight!

cheer's, Maka

[data_mine]

Also depend what sort of performance you want.

straight line, weight can mostly be overcome with more power. but less weight is better.
circuit, weight will always be against you
street, who cares, not allowed to go fast enough to push any car these days.

[BA Supa Pursuit]

Yeah I noticed the new series 2 vf supercharged clubbie is 1900 odd kilos. Apparently the h/d diff and extra cooling porky it up.

[Qwerty321]

My BAII Fairlane weighs about 1770kg which is definitely on the heavier side off things. With passengers and a boot full of luggage for those roadtrips, my car will definitely be pushing past the 2 tonne mark, which pretty heavy for a sedan. Surprisingly it's one of the best handling cars I've ever driven, regardless of the weight the suspension setup and engine really make up for it. The only time I was aware of the weight was driving through some grass fields (DOC camp ground - basically a massive paddock) after it had rained a bit and my car tyre tracks were so deep compared to the others and it was near impossible to move from a stop without spinning so much the car was digging half way to china Never got stuck once though!

To put things into perspective my old ES300 weighed about 1400kg and the heaviest sedan I've come across (from the modern era) is a Chrysler 300, and those weight 1850kg? Gives you a perspective of the spread.

[99AUXR]

Okay here a pic of the car and then a pic of a pic (Wearing FPR Pepsi Max Winterbottom T from the year they got bathurst)

Its funny Im like only 5'8" and the car is so tiny! Definitely one of the best things Ive ever done. Below is a video of a few of the laps. This is the first time ever for me on a race track so dont be too harsh

I just couldnt believe how wheel it stuck to the track and how flat it stayed, and that gearbox matched with engine note was so ******* cool!





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay2c...ature=youtu.be

[HO 3]

Yeah as said "Horsepower is King"............I think the Veyron proves that point, 0-100 kph in something like 2.5 seconds in a car that weighs as much if not more than our current Falcon.

Cheers Mick

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by 99AUXR

Okay here a pic of the car and then a pic of a pic (Wearing FPR Pepsi Max Winterbottom T from the year they got bathurst)

Its funny Im like only 5'8" and the car is so tiny! Definitely one of the best things Ive ever done. Below is a video of a few of the laps. This is the first time ever for me on a race track so dont be too harsh

I just couldnt believe how wheel it stuck to the track and how flat it stayed, and that gearbox matched with engine note was so ******* cool!

image

image

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay2c...ature=youtu.be

so cool

i might sell everything up and buy one

sleep in it n stuff n stash all my other crap n spare jocks in shopping trolley in a random park

[Express]

Originally Posted by 99AUXR

Okay here a pic of the car and then a pic of a pic (Wearing FPR Pepsi Max Winterbottom T from the year they got bathurst)

Its funny Im like only 5'8" and the car is so tiny! Definitely one of the best things Ive ever done. Below is a video of a few of the laps. This is the first time ever for me on a race track so dont be too harsh

I just couldnt believe how wheel it stuck to the track and how flat it stayed, and that gearbox matched with engine note was so ******* cool!

I just watched your video, man that looked fun.

Were you using the paddles or was it in Auto mode?

Now I’m off to sit in front of the Playstation for a while.

[99AUXR]

Shifting using paddles, one side up other down. Made for super fast shifting and only required 1 finger to flick it.

Would really like to own one not overly fast but just so balanced such a cool car.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by 99AUXR

not overly fast

maybe not in your hands :P

[99AUXR]

Originally Posted by b0son

maybe not in your hands :P

Sorry I should say in straight line performance. Round a track and through corners in was phenomenal.

[Sprint]

Over 1000kg is heavy..

[CoupeKing]

Originally Posted by Sprint

Over 1000kg is heavy..

I'm gonna put that in my Tinder profile

[Maka]

Originally Posted by Sprint

Over 1000kg is heavy..

That reminded me of the FJ Nissan powered Sprite (DD/G ?) drag racer

J Watson used to race back in the day. Now that was fun to watch @ Castlereagh all those years ago!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHO3b98j7Is

Love to see a new version of this little beast with a ecoboost 4 banger in it, would absolutely surprise many!!!

cheer's, Maka

[wodahs]

Originally Posted by jimt3te50

Hp > everything

Originally Posted by HO 3

Yeah as said "Horsepower is King"............I think the Veyron proves that point, 0-100 kph in something like 2.5 seconds in a car that weighs as much if not more than our current Falcon.

Cheers Mick

na just hp is for girls

I want the big torque as well to go with the hp so when I hit the wall I just don't get broken bones , but me the car and the wall are gone coz I was going "like an avalanche comin' down the mountain"

Some will die in hot pursuit in fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit while sifting through my ashes

[tapeworm]

you know you have an issue when late model statesman/fairlanes are boardering on being nimble in comparison to most late model sedans...these things used to be called barges and boats, now late model performance sedans are a couple hungee kg heavier again!

[HO 3]

Originally Posted by tapeworm

you know you have an issue when late model statesman/fairlanes are boardering on being nimble in comparison to most late model sedans...these things used to be called barges and boats, now late model performance sedans are a couple hungee kg heavier again!

Luckily braking and suspension technology for the masses has also come a long way


Cheers Mick

[wodahs]

Originally Posted by tapeworm

you know you have an issue when late model statesman/fairlanes are boardering on being nimble in comparison to most late model sedans...these things used to be called barges and boats, now late model performance sedans are a couple hungee kg heavier again!

yep when I was shopping round for the replacement for my 02 v8 4wd explorer I found that the current v6 diesel awd terri (simular vehicle and I did get the terri) was around 300 hundy kg heavier (did kinda surprise me)

[Qwerty321]

Originally Posted by tapeworm

you know you have an issue when late model statesman/fairlanes are boardering on being nimble in comparison to most late model sedans...these things used to be called barges and boats, now late model performance sedans are a couple hungee kg heavier again!

Old statesmans and fairlanes do hangle like barges. They only became decent (dare I say good?) when Ford switched to IRS and used the sports tuned settings rather than the old soft settings. Basically the only good handling Fairlanes are BAII onwards, the older ones handle like transatlantic freighters (atleast stock)

That said parking in a crowded lot is like playing a game of tetris on max difficulty and it's got a blind spot the size of the Tasman.

[asagaai]

On side point- the amount of money to reduce weight outweighs the amount of money to increase HP.

Lets see- FGX XR8

Weight Reduction:

Lithium battery $2,000 say 12 kgs saving

Carbon fibre tailshaft $2,200 say 10 kgs saving

Carbon Fibre wheels Carbon Revolution -being sold to Porsche owners and OEM on GT 350 Mustang $19,000 say 28 kgs saving over 4 wheels

Total weight of 1,860kgs less 50kgs = 1,810 kgs for cost of $23,200

Power:

Increased power of rear wheel kws of 65 kws for tune of $2,500.00 (should more than offset weight saving of 50kgs)

Throw in shockworks coils and better rubber (Michelin Cups) to offset weight at a cost of $5,000.00

Total cost $7,500.00 for tune and suspension/tyres

So no brainer- more bang for buck spending dime on power/suspension than weight saving.

Looking forward to carbon fibre becoming mainstream for wheels/bonnets/boot lids. Come on Carbon Revolution

[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.