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I keep seeing a lot of references to the speed at which a car goes from 0 to 60. While I understand the need to accelerate upon entering the highway, most on-ramps will provide for more than 10 seconds of road.
So if getting up to highway speed isn't the main concern, why is 0 to 60 speed so important?
FYI. I'm a right lane driver and I try to stay within 5 miles over the posted speed limit.
A large portion of society wants to drive their cars. They dont want to simply get behind the wheel and sit in the right hand lane (no offense meant). They want to actually drive. Lower 0-60 times gives you that punch that American drivers usually go for. For me it is also about escapeability. You cant always brake out danger. Sometimes you have to accelerate out of it.
A large portion of society wants to drive their cars. They dont want to simply get behind the wheel and sit in the right hand lane (no offense meant). They want to actually drive.
HEY!!! Right lane driving and following the law is just as valid as being a speed demon.
I want to drive my car and I do drive. I just don't see any need to go fast.
So if getting up to highway speed isn't the main concern, why is 0 to 60 speed so important?
Why is Navigation important? Why is red paint important? Why are leather seats important? Why are 4 doors important? You see my point? For some, being able to accelerate quickly is an important feature to have and they are willing to pay more for a car to get it. Just like people will pay more to have navigation as a factory option, or they will pay more for leather seats. If 0-60 times aren't important to you, buy a slow car and save some money.
0-60 isn't really the benchmark for performance cars anymore. It used to be that a 5 second 0-60 meant you had an extremely fast car. Now, the best sports cars can do it in 2.5 seconds, and your run of the mill Mustang GT can do it in about 4.5 seconds.
Now, a 0-100 time is quoted, or a 60-130 time, as a more accurate indicator of power, because some cars are just traction limited for a 0-60 sprint.
Quarter mile times are still relevant, as are trap speeds. Since I've been driving, a 15.0 1/4 mile used to be very quick. A 14.0 was the realm of supercars back in the 80's and early 90's. Then 13.0 became commonplace in the late 90's/early 2000's, and soon 12's were hit.
Today, the fastest cars are doing the 1/4 in less than 10.0, and the Mustang GT example I gave above is doing it in 12.7.
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