Manufacturers 0-60 claims

Having a “debate” at the moment regarding manufacturers 0-60 time claims.

I maintain that a lot of them are unachievable in the real world.

The other party says that they are only not achieved/exceeded if:

  1. It’s wet
  2. The car is knackered
  3. You can’t drive
  4. You’re driving up a hill

So how do manufactures really achieve these figures and are they replicable in a real situation?

Ta

Steve

I agree with you. Posted figures are achieved showing no sympathy whatsoever for the car!

How many independent magazine road tests actually concur with the manufacturer’s figures?

Why not ask your mate to try & achieve the quoted figues in his/her own car

Steve

I agree with you. Posted figures are achieved showing no sympathy whatsoever for the car!

How many independent magazine road tests actually concur with the manufacturer’s figures?

Why not ask your mate to try & achieve the quoted figues in his/her own car

Does anybody ever show any sympathy towards a car?

Are they a calculated figure from gearing, drag and power numbers ?

I think most mainstream manufacturers quote the results of a fairly standard test method.
ie. 4krpm clutch dump, standard gear changes with half rated payload onboard.

Suspect Lotus use a slightly different method. Involving the lightest development engineer they can find (not Gavan Kershaw then) and a bag of spare parts at the ready!

I think most mainstream manufacturers quote the results of a fairly standard test method.
ie. 4krpm clutch dump, standard gear changes with half rated payload onboard.

I’d be surprised if they did that, it’s not the quickest way off the line…

[quote]Having a “debate” at the moment regarding manufacturers 0-60 time claims.

[quote]

…which is the wrost possible indicator of a cars performance. I saw a prog at the weekend which claimed the Enzo’s clutch was only good for 3 full bore standing starts

Maybe we should all try & beat one from the lights

Tim.

I think most mainstream manufacturers quote the results of a fairly standard test method.
ie. 4krpm clutch dump, standard gear changes with half rated payload onboard.

I’d be surprised if they did that, it’s not the quickest way off the line…

Sometimes that’s not what is wanted, when a new model is assessed by the insurance industry for grouping purposes…

Needless to say, some manufacturers claims seem woefully optimistic, others seem curiously conservative.

I think 0-60 is more about marketing than anything else.

Agreed. However, I believe that manuafacturers are now no longer allowed to use the 0-60 time as a selling point in mainstream UK adverts as it supposedly “glorifies speed”.

ASA Requirements:

"Marketers should not make speed or acceleration claims the predominant message of their marketing communications. However it is legitimate to give general information about a vehicle`s performance such as acceleration and mid-range statistics, braking power, road-holding and top speed.

Marketers should not portray speed in a way that might encourage motorists to drive irresponsibly or to break the law and should not condone irresponsible driving."

Nanny state again

I think Rover also got done just before the end.