I’m always wondered. Since a V8 engine from 20 years ago makes rougly the same as a I4 can produce today, how come we aren’t seeing more 500+ hp sports cars?
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Crazy horsepower isn’t just a matter of the engine being super-powerful. You need a transmission/gearbox that won’t be utterly destroyed by that much power being put into it. You need a driveshaft and wheels that can withstand it. You want down-force on the drive wheels in order that the wheels not simply lose traction and spin when you put down that much power.
Otherwise the horsepower is useless.
Such cars do exist, but they’re hella-expensive for a reason. And it’s useful in very limited situations and potentially dangerous to be in control of something that powerful.
Not sure what you mean, there are more 500+ hp vehicles for sale today than ever before. The reason you’re not seeing more sports cars with that power is there aren’t as many sports cars, evidently we’ve decided we don’t want them anymore.
Not sure what you mean, there are more 500+ hp vehicles for sale today than ever before. The reason you’re not seeing more sports cars with that power is there aren’t as many sports cars, evidently we’ve decided we don’t want them anymore.
Generally speaking, sports cars aren’t really about pure HP numbers, not in the same way pony or muscle cars are. They’re about twists and turns, agility and precision of handling, not about straight line speed. Cars with 700, 800, 900 HP tend to be heavier, which makes handling worse. All in all, I’d say it’s mostly because people buying those cars don’t necessarily want or need that much HP.
Generally speaking, sports cars aren’t really about pure HP numbers, not in the same way pony or muscle cars are. They’re about twists and turns, agility and precision of handling, not about straight line speed. Cars with 700, 800, 900 HP tend to be heavier, which makes handling worse. All in all, I’d say it’s mostly because people buying those cars don’t necessarily want or need that much HP.
Crazy horsepower isn’t just a matter of the engine being super-powerful. You need a transmission/gearbox that won’t be utterly destroyed by that much power being put into it. You need a driveshaft and wheels that can withstand it. You want down-force on the drive wheels in order that the wheels not simply lose traction and spin when you put down that much power.
Otherwise the horsepower is useless.
Such cars do exist, but they’re hella-expensive for a reason. And it’s useful in very limited situations and potentially dangerous to be in control of something that powerful.
Generally speaking, sports cars aren’t really about pure HP numbers, not in the same way pony or muscle cars are. They’re about twists and turns, agility and precision of handling, not about straight line speed. Cars with 700, 800, 900 HP tend to be heavier, which makes handling worse. All in all, I’d say it’s mostly because people buying those cars don’t necessarily want or need that much HP.
Crazy horsepower isn’t just a matter of the engine being super-powerful. You need a transmission/gearbox that won’t be utterly destroyed by that much power being put into it. You need a driveshaft and wheels that can withstand it. You want down-force on the drive wheels in order that the wheels not simply lose traction and spin when you put down that much power.
Otherwise the horsepower is useless.
Such cars do exist, but they’re hella-expensive for a reason. And it’s useful in very limited situations and potentially dangerous to be in control of something that powerful.
Not sure what you mean, there are more 500+ hp vehicles for sale today than ever before. The reason you’re not seeing more sports cars with that power is there aren’t as many sports cars, evidently we’ve decided we don’t want them anymore.
Lamborghini Aventador S – 730 hp
Ferrari 488 Pista – 710 hp
Porsche 911 Turbo S – 640 hp
Audi R8 V10 Performance – 602 hp
McLaren 570S – 562 hp
Mercedes-AMG GT R – 577 hp
Nissan GT-R Nismo – 600 hp
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 – 650 hp
Dodge Viper ACR – 645 hp
Ford GT – 660 hp
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera – 715 hp
Bentley Continental GT Speed – 650 hp
BMW M8 Competition – 617 hp
Jaguar F-Type SVR – 575 hp
Lexus LC 500 – 471 hp
Lotus Evora GT – 416 hp
Maserati GranTurismo MC – 454 hp
Porsche 911 GT3 RS – 520 hp
Audi RS7 – 591 hp
BMW M5 Competition – 617 hp
Mercedes-AMG E 63 S – 603 hp
Cadillac CTS-V – 640 hp
Dodge Charger Hellcat – 707 hp
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 – 650 hp
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 – 760 hp
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