The performance numbers
come from the
Cartest 2000 computer simulation program. This java-based
application allows you to enter specifications for a vehicle, which is
normalizes to perform mathematical acceleration and track simulations.
This application must make several assumptions about power delivery,
center of gravity, suspension geometry, etc. so the results may not match
real-world numbers exactly. Every effort has been made by Car-Videos.com
to achieve as realistic numbers as possible. In the rare case that
satisfactory numbers cannot be achieved, the model in question is removed
from the site.
Lots of research and care
have gone into making the performance numbers as accurate as possible.
There are several reasons why the performance numbers may be incorrect:
1) The manufacturer
has intentionally or unintentionally published incorrect specifications.
The victims of this are usually horsepower and torque, but sometimes it
can be gear ratios, axle ratio, electronic speed limiter, etc.
2) The engine's
power curve is flatter or steeper than normal. BMW engines and the
VW/Audi 1.8T are notorious for having very flat power curves. This
results in better performance numbers than typical engines with the same
hp and torque ratings. And Kia engines typically have steeper power
curves resulting in worse performance numbers.
3) The simulator
shifts too early or too late on a specific change. This can results
in only one or two of the straight-line acceleration numbers not matching
other testers' results. The simulator optimizes gear shifts to
achieve the best acceleration numbers over a large distance. This
may cause the car to shift gears just short of an important acceleration
time mark. For instance, 2nd gear in a car may redline at 62 mph,
but the power drop-off at high RPM may result in an optimal shift at 58
mph. The extra 0.3-0.8. seconds required to shift to 3rd gear will
increase the 0-60 time by approximately that margin. In some
instances, a note had been added to the bottom of the car's performance
indicating this with the performance number(s) that would have been
achieved if the gear change was made at or above redline.
If you disagree with the
performance numbers of a specific car on the site, please
contact us with the
name of the car in question.
