Eli5: How come cars With more than 10x the horsepower of a normal car only has a top speed that is about 2-3x higher than one of a normal car.

Question

Fx: The Bugatti Chiron has just under 1500hp and a top speed of MAX 500kmh, while a Volkswagen Golf has 150hp and a top speed of around 200kmh.

In: Physics

Answer 1

Air resistance (as Tdscanuck nicely described) but also other factors such as power to weight ratios.

The level of engineering & engine size between these vehicles is vast.

A Bugatti with a W16 engine weighs in at 1996kg with a top speed of 490km/h = 0.24 km/kg

A Vw golf gti 4 cylinder weighs 1415kg with a top speed of 250km/h = 0.18 km/kg