Koenigsegg Doesn't Care About Top Speed, and Neither Should You

"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro) 08/13/2015 at 21:24 • Filed to: koenigsegg, speed, tips, discussion

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Christian von Koenigsegg is a practical man. A practical man who likes to build supercars.

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In a recent AMA blog post, Mr. Koenigsegg was asked “when will you guys test the real top speed of your cars?”

CvK: We would like to do such a test, but I have to say it’s not a super-high priority for us. It’s nice to be able to say you’ve got the fastest driven road car in the world and we believe that the One:1 could take the current record but for us, it’s a matter of priorities.

He goes on to explain that his customers are more interested in other aspects of driving performance. It takes a lot of room to reach such terrific speeds, and most people (including supercar drivers) have limited options when it comes to finding sufficient running room.

“Here’s a question for you”, says Koenigsegg. “What is more important: an absolute top speed that customers are never likely to reach, or acceleration speed, which a customer will use every time they go to the track?”

Hard to argue with that. We live in an age where you can buy a street-legal $60,000 car capable of 200mph. We can’t help but expect exotic supercars to offer more. Yes, escalation is a thing in the automotive world.

But whether you are the owner of a super exotic, or a lowly Dodge-driving peasant, where can you go to experience the triple-digit upper limits of your car? Public roads? Not an option. Drag strip? Not enough room. The track? Depends on the track.

We believe the One:1 can go on to reach in excess of the current 435 kph record, but we think a ‘usable’ record is much more important.

What’s most important to you when it comes to driving performance? What is a “usable record”?

Read more at !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

scoob > Urambo Tauro 08/13/2015 at 21:30

16

A usable record would be something like “0-60 in 1 second”, even though that would be absolutely ridiculous.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > scoob 08/13/2015 at 21:33

3

I want to know what that would feel like. I imagine it would feel like being strapped onto an explosion.

iSureWilll > Urambo Tauro 08/13/2015 at 21:38

0

I think what he is getting at is that yea, the Veyron goes fast. No denying that, but what is the point of achieving a record top speed if your customer can never achieve it? (Obviously not including extreme circumstances)

A cool car to me is many things. One of those things is being fast as shit. BUT I would much rather have something that I can use on a daily/monthly basis without much hassle.

Grindintosecond > Urambo Tauro 08/13/2015 at 21:40

6

I want to see the road tests change to 0-75 metrics instead of 60. I personally believe that the limits of the car can currently exceed rational use. Let’s say you can hit 60 in 1.0 seconds. Well that’s great. Enjoy that fun....because that fun is instantaneous and useless and you cant enjoy the thrill of the cars engine and sound and acceleration experience of 2g’s if it doesn’t last any appreciable amount of time. Besides, you use that ability and decide your gaining too fast, the move to the brake, is too late now. You’re thirty mph faster than the car in front in a time faster than you can physically react because you bought that car at 60 years old. When you could finally afford it.

Now, handling. 2 g’s. Lets see a road car do that. Who in the hell would actually use it? I cant tell you how often I see a nice handling car driven by a 23 year old grandma. I’m not saying everyone should corner fast, but jesus....use at least 10% of your handley car’s ability. Now, 2g’s. How fast will that car go around a corner before it slingshots off into the woods from touching a puddle?

An appreciable car is fantastic. Feel, enjoyment, emotion. I want a new Lambo Miura. It does not need to be 200mph. Just quick and emotive. A connection on wheels is what they should sell...and not to your phone.

Anon > scoob 08/13/2015 at 21:53

0

I don’t even think that would be safe to drive. Would you black out?

Shankems > Anon 08/13/2015 at 22:04

43

Top fuel is like 0-100 in under 1 second. They survive lol.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Urambo Tauro 08/13/2015 at 22:18

1

Well, considering that VW owns about the only track on earth where you can safely reach insane top speeds this isn’t really all that surprising a statement.

He is most certainly not wrong. But it is difficult to go about testing top speeds when the only people who have the best place to run those tests won’t let anyone else play with their toys.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Grindintosecond 08/13/2015 at 22:21

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For this reason I think it is more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. There’s something about revving the absolute heck out of a tiny engine, and feeling like you’re going a million miles an hour without breaking the speed limit.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Urambo Tauro 08/13/2015 at 22:22

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I’d seriously love to sit down and have lunch with Christian von Koenigsegg. He seems like a pretty cool guy. For being in the supercar business, he seems pretty humble. I think I’d much rather drive a Koenigsegg than a Ferrari.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > scoob 08/13/2015 at 22:29

4

That’s the One:1:!

Grindintosecond > BaconSandwich is tasty. 08/14/2015 at 00:22

1

Old RHD mini wins every time.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Grindintosecond 08/14/2015 at 09:17

2

Or a Geo Metro.

ihm96 > Urambo Tauro 08/14/2015 at 10:04

0

Many of bugattis customers have actually been able to use the top speed of their cars because they run a program that lets you pay to do such a thing. So it's not as if it's completely unusable, you just need to go to a special manufacturer track day

Crossed > scoob 08/25/2015 at 11:38

3

I don’t even think that’s theortically possible on street tires.

DatBomb > scoob 08/25/2015 at 11:40

9

The limiting factor is the road and tires, not the car.

Ratchet when he's all hopped up on synthetic energon > Grindintosecond 08/25/2015 at 11:41

0

So.... a Miata?

Or maybe an MR2 if you’re wanting something with little mid-engine panache?

Ratchet when he's all hopped up on synthetic energon > BaconSandwich is tasty. 08/25/2015 at 11:42

1

Certainly less chance of fiery death...

spanfucker retire bitch > BaconSandwich is tasty. 08/25/2015 at 11:42

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I’d rather be in a position to have both. Ferrari FF for my winter, Regera for a nice, fast GT that I can park in hybrid spots next to Priuseseseses, and then an Agera RS for the track.

991_911_turbo_S > Grindintosecond 08/25/2015 at 11:44

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“because you bought that car at 60 years old. When you could finally afford it.”

Speak for yourself.

“Let’s say you can hit 60 in 1.0 seconds. Well that’s great. Enjoy that fun....because that fun is instantaneous and useless and you cant enjoy the thrill of the cars engine and sound and acceleration experience of 2g’s if it doesn’t last any appreciable amount of time.”

Absolutely disagree, you can enjoy all of that within that one second. The fastest accelerating cars are the most fun in my experience, and i’ve driven quite a few. Handling is also very important on a twisty, bendy road, but both combined in a car that can throw you from one corner to the next is something you need to experience before making these blanket statements.

ramajastang > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 11:44

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They could give a car a 300 hp V6 and make it look like a Koenigsegg and still charge $100k for it, they’d sell them by the bucket load.

fourvalleys > Grindintosecond 08/25/2015 at 11:45

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The most fun I’ve ever had at autocross was in my old Mini. Somewhere around 30hp, flat out for most of the run. I had the slowest time of the day, and probably had more fun than anyone.

I’ve driven some terrifically fast cars and they offer their own brand of fun for sure. But I’d rather throw around something small and light in the twisties than floor it for 3 seconds at a time. Same reason I’m okay with my BRZ at the track (as long as I keep the RPMs up).

Of course, there’s video of the Mini. (Watch the vacuum gauge in the lower middle of the dashboard, it essentially functions as a reverse-throttle gauge.)

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I wore through a suspension knuckle, or I’d have taken it a few more times. It’s still on the to-do list!

Sir HoonsAlot > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 11:46

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Don’t get me wrong, I love me some power, but I also enjoy cars where you can use all the power all the time.

maxabillion > BaconSandwich is tasty. 08/25/2015 at 11:47

6

I got to chat with him during the press days at the NY Auto Show a year or so ago. He is as cool as you think he is. Very personable and I didn’t sense the slightest bit of arrogance in him.

Mike Ramsey > Shankems 08/25/2015 at 11:47

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Maybe he should start running his supercars on nitro methane. Wouldn't that be fun.

Danny Gross > BaconSandwich is tasty. 08/25/2015 at 11:49

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Miata! Miata! Miata!

ztatum > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 11:49

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It’s all power:weight for me.

crankaholic > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 11:50

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The fastest standing mile seems like a “usable record”... there are plenty of places with enough space and events where owners can attempt such records in relative safety. Everyone can participate and there are modified cars that reach 270+MPH, so incredible speeds are possible.

Darksiede, now LS powered > Mike Ramsey 08/25/2015 at 11:58

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right up till you have to do 16qt oil changes every 60 seconds of run-time due to the frothing the oil recieves.. oh and the rebuilds...

GTRZ > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 12:01

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So where does he say he doesn’t care about top speed? And wheres the part where I shouldn't either? Shitty headline.

lazydave42 > Anon 08/25/2015 at 12:02

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It’s about 3g. You shouldn’t pass out but you might want to make sure there are no loose objects on the dashboard ;-)

NinerAir > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 12:02

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I think a record should only hold if conditions can be met by competitors. For example, VW would have to allow any challenger use of their ring if they want to uphold an official record.

991_911_turbo_S > BaconSandwich is tasty. 08/25/2015 at 12:02

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You’re not alone. Awesome guy, had a chance to breifly speak to him at the Geneva auto show couple years ago. He is a legitimate genius. Ferrari isn’t anywhere on the same level.

jjhats > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 12:03

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the thing is, it doesn’t have to take for ever to reach that speed. this was so elegantly proven when the henesy venom gt was pitted against the Veyron. both reached 260 mph but the henesy took half the time or distance (idk which prolly both) to reach that speed. also wasn’t there an article about koenigsegg hitting 186 and back to zero in some absurd time? I think koenigsegg will surely do much better than a Veyron in a top speed test. with all this said I do agree top speed it the most irrelevant car statistic we use today

MoparMap > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 12:08

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...or a lowly Dodge-driving peasant...

Representing the lowly Dodge-driving peasant here:

Only had it on one track so far (Hastings, NE) and could only manage around 130-140 on the straight, but it was a smaller track. I think it could probably hit 160 on some of the longer tracks.

DirtyVDub > Grindintosecond 08/25/2015 at 12:08

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To get to those grip levels you need to build a car with serious down force. Down force is one of those scary things where you need to go fast enough to make it work. On the road that’s unreasonable.

DirtyVDub > BaconSandwich is tasty. 08/25/2015 at 12:08

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You need to drive faster cars.

AdmiralAkbar > Sir HoonsAlot 08/25/2015 at 12:09

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That’s why I drive a Hyundai.

MrMcQueen21v2 > BaconSandwich is tasty. 08/25/2015 at 12:16

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That’s probably why I love my 04 Mustang so much. It’s got enough power to screw around and have some fun with, but I can floor it and I’m not at license suspending speeds in 2 seconds, and I don’t have to worry about it getting super unstable from not being able to hook up power. I laughed like an idiot the first time I took it to the mountains because it felt perfectly suited. Had I been in a Ferrari or something it might have been a bit ho-hum.

atfsgeoff > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 12:22

2

One:1 on the Bonneville Salt Flats?

PS9 > ihm96 08/25/2015 at 12:22

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That’s not gonna work for anyone who didn’t buy a Veyron, as VW is the one who owns the only capable track.

Prophet of hoon > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 12:30

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So the new Koenigsegg Camry will come in beige as well?

William Byrd > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 12:30

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I get the sentiment, and generally agree. But it’s not human nature to stop.

Reaching a higher top speed is one of those things that may never cease. Especially when, even though said speed isn’t regularly reached by a customer, many put their money towards the product with the biggest bragging rights.

Regardless, I think Koenigsegg, a smaller manufactuer with less resources, would likely be smart to spread the focus a bit beyond just top speed.

The doctoR53 > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 12:32

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I mean where are you ever going to be able to hit 200+ safely, besides the autobahn.

xchn11111 > Anon 08/25/2015 at 12:35

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quick calculation shows acceleration of 27.8m/s^2, which is 3 g’s, should be fine. pilots black out at much higher g

Dr_Watson > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 12:45

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I’d say the standing mile runs that go on in Texas are more valid than the top speed runs in VWs big bowl. There are many race tracks with 1 mile of acceleration between brake points.

Now that I think about it I’d say peak speed before braking into les combes at spa would be a great benchmark for modern supercars. Then you’re also testing how the chassis and aero get you through eau rouge and over the hill.

waytooslow > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 12:48

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Three tests

1.Standing mile

2.Standing quarter mile

3.Some road course with no speed limits preferable open to the public

PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 12:48

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Koenigsegg Doesn’t Care About Top Speed, and Neither Should You

“ CvK: We would like to do such a test...”

Seems like a little bit of a stretch to say ‘they’ don’t care.

Bit Crusher > BaconSandwich is tasty. 08/25/2015 at 12:53

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Swedes are good at being humble. He’s one of my automotive idols.

4 cam torino > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 08/25/2015 at 13:02

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Some of the launched coasters at amusement parks have to approach 0-60 in a second. I looked up Top Thrill dragster and Kingda Ka. They just state 0-120 in under 4 seconds and 0-128 in 3.5 seconds respectively. The acceleration rate is going to decrease as speed increases. They might be a little bit short of 0-60 in 1 second but they’ve got to get you close.

Smeagol101 > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 13:07

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That’s funny considering Mr. Koenisegg originally designed and developed his car with the sole purpose of beating the Mclaren F1 top speed record, which it did in february 2005. A record it held until september of the same year when the mighty Veyron shattered the CCR’s record... Maybe someone should remind him about his original goal when he’s talking out of his ass

functionoverfashion > Sir HoonsAlot 08/25/2015 at 13:09

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I think this came up recently, as a FP topic (?) but in any case, that’s gotta be around 300hp at the very most. I’ve driven a few cars in that range and you’re pretty much speeding instantly if you’re really using that 300hp. This is for a “car” mind you, not a big SUV/truck, etc.

wiffleballtony > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 13:20

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Completely agree with Christian. Once the top speeds went past the point of being able to duplicate it became a meaningless statistic. Zero to sixty, five to sixty, quarter mile, and shalom are better figures.

willmederski > scoob 08/25/2015 at 13:27

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i’m continually impressed with the stability of his cars though.

the video of the test run where the test driver punches it to near 200mph... only occasionally touching the steering wheel to adjust direction.

then slams on the brakes, again barely touching the wheel.

that’s probably one of the more practical performance features i’ve seen displayed in a supercar.

Raymundo > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 13:42

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Potential energy is cool but I sure do love me some kinetic energy! Woo Mr. Koenigsegg!

drdude > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 08/25/2015 at 13:49

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EASY! Go down to your local dragstrip and see if anyone will give you a ride. Any quick drag car will reach that.

drdude > Anon 08/25/2015 at 13:50

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No. not even close. Its about 3Gs, and regular joe drag cars hit it all the time.

drdude > Sir HoonsAlot 08/25/2015 at 13:53

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Well.. pick any underpowered economy car and have at it.

I prefer the opposite... sure 350,400,500+ hp cars cant be floored everywhere, but thats where the fun and skill come in. When you can lap the track flat out, its no challenge. When you have to slow on your marker, ALOT....but no too much... THATS when its really fun. The focus is just... well if you get in the zone, you’re focused.. its amazing. If you’re not in the zone, get off the track. :)

ManualManiac > BaconSandwich is tasty. 08/25/2015 at 13:56

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Make it a couple of beers and he might meet you the next day at a track and let you drive one of his masterpieces.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 13:58

1

The social purpose of Koenigsegg doesn’t mesh with records for records’ sake.

Christian gave us cars with carbon wheels. 3d printed turbo pieces and someday gearless transmissions and cam-less head designs.

He seems to not want his creativity and his engineers’ talents tailored to the mandate of some Wiseman(guy?)

Like a garge band that makes it huge, keep doing what you’re doing. Don’t change your products or your methods to please the critics.

crispyduck > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 14:13

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I’ve never understood the obsession some people have with top speed, for exactly the reasons he said. Can’t even count the number of times someone at a show has asked “so how fast will it go?” about one of the shop cars.

The answer: "don't know and don't care."

ThatbastardKurtis > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 14:37

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And one of the first things that they claimed about the One:1 was a 275 mph top speed. And now Christian claims that it’s “not a super high priority”. Bullshittery at it’s finest.

gurgle > Anon 08/25/2015 at 14:41

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Stupidest thing I’ve read today

mysticusa > xchn11111 08/25/2015 at 14:51

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yeah about 2.83 G... 5G rates are normal in F1 even for momentarily, 3-4G rates are typical during all race but all these are declaration or centrifugal g forces... top dragsters are around 5.5-6G range for about 5-6 secs i believe... a typical human being without training/conditioning, would pass out around 5G range... highly trained ones like astronauts can take up to 9G rates... so 0-100 in 1 sec wouldnt really hurt someone unless they already have problems... to get that kind of acceleration in a road car, probably we would really need very high torque engine and tyres sized the length of the car, not sure they would look practical or pretty to look at :)

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A…

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > drdude 08/25/2015 at 14:58

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Is that so? Sounds like another thing to add onto the long list of car things I must do.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > ManualManiac 08/25/2015 at 15:25

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Heck, even just to sit down and have lunch with the guy... I’d totally fly to Europe just for that.

BRyan31122 > Anon 08/25/2015 at 15:51

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No, top fuel dragsters for example accelerate from 0-60 in 0.2 seconds, and the drivers manage quite well.

xchn11111 > mysticusa 08/25/2015 at 15:54

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yep, impractical and too much wasted energy to get that acceleration

Ryan Stewart > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 16:12

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And he is right. Hell, look at bikes. My sedan and my motorcycle have the same (delimited) top speed. But my bike can get from 0-140mph in 10 seconds while the car takes over twice as long. And youre going to spend 99.999% of your time in that range and maybe once or twice outside of it, so worry about that instead.

PhilP > Urambo Tauro 08/25/2015 at 16:15

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The Veyron pretty well put to bed the whole top speed bit. Not that its capabilities can’t be exceeded, but it illustrated the sheer difficulty of ever using that kind of capability. There’s just too few places on earth where you can even get up to that kind of speed anyway. That “highest top speed” number has been pushed so high that it’s basically become irrelevant.

Anon > gurgle 08/25/2015 at 16:29

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Dude, shut the fuck up.

Prismatist > Sir HoonsAlot 08/25/2015 at 16:32

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Like a rental car?

alexlam24 > ihm96 08/25/2015 at 16:43

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Apparently over 100 people have joined the Top Speed club according to the Bugatti test driver on Shmee150’s Veyron Vitesse video a few weeks ago,

GhostZ > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 08/25/2015 at 16:48

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About 3Gs of average forward acceleration. That’s about the same you get in a space shuttle launch.

CranialEctomy > PhilP 08/25/2015 at 16:51

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There are at least three cars rumored to best the Veyron SS in terms of V-max, not counting cars in development. The Veyron has hardly put to rest the issue; VW just has the advantage of owning Ehra Lessien, their test track with a 5-mile straight. Any V-max centered car they develop can be pushed to its limits, as long as it has similar acceleration. Smaller brands like Koenigsegg, Henessey, or SSC have to rely on public roads, or private straights. The V-max wars would still be raging if the playing field was level in that respect.

PhilP > CranialEctomy 08/25/2015 at 17:22

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No, like I said, it has nothing to do with anybody being faster or being able to test that it’s faster. It’s that top speed no longer matters . At all. Who really cares if your car will do 260 over somebody’s 257? Or somebody else’s 268 or 280? Even IF you had a place you could run it, 250 won’t have you crapping your pants any more than you’d be doing at 200. It’s nothing more than bragging rights at price levels that are so stratospheric that it’s pointless. You can afford a Veyron or Koenigsegg, you don’t need that car for bragging rights. You’ve got enough wealth to show off and only an astonishingly few people can even think about competing. It just doesn’t matter anymore. Hell, the “classic” supercar makers (Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, etc.) aren’t even playing the top speed game. A high top speed is a side effect of what they’re doing, not the end goal.

I think that’s why the Veyron ultimately became boring. It was astonishingly fast, but it was a one trick pony. It went fast. That’s it. For 10% of what one cost you could get any number of cars that were far more entertaining to drive at every speed they can hit. Top speed is done. Higher speeds can and will be hit. Few will care.

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > xchn11111 08/25/2015 at 17:53

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Pilots who are exposed to high g-loads are also generally in significantly better shape than your average person. 3g is probably about the limit of what you could do an not worry about lawsuits, but even then, you might make a particularly enfeebled person black out. The car would literally need to come with a waiver that states that you need to be in good health to drive it.

Sir HoonsAlot > Prismatist 08/25/2015 at 18:07

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precisely, my parents had a Dart as a rental car earlier this year, and that was an absolute blast. Just floor it everywhere and you’re you’re good :)

Sir HoonsAlot > drdude 08/25/2015 at 18:08

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Oh I know, I’ll still take the power, but I’m just saying I can have fun with both

Sir HoonsAlot > functionoverfashion 08/25/2015 at 18:09

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Oh yeah, 300 doesn’t sem too much now, but it’s plenty to get up and go

350Zed > BaconSandwich is tasty. 08/25/2015 at 19:03

2

He's not humble. He's practical and methodical. He's a classic engineer

KremerK3 > BaconSandwich is tasty. 08/25/2015 at 19:35

2

Why can i only star this once despite hammering on my trackpad until it smokes.

David muscleguy > Grindintosecond 08/25/2015 at 19:39

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I don’t know man but i drove a freaking slow 1.4L Polo with 85Hp in France and did 197KM/H it took time and some downhills but still around 120MPH is breaking the law!

KremerK3 > Sir HoonsAlot 08/25/2015 at 19:44

2

I feel the same way about breasts, but that’s OT. Here’s all you need, no really.

Hank Scorpio > BaconSandwich is tasty. 08/25/2015 at 19:49

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There’s a video out there of him driving a Regera for the first time. It’s pretty fun to see that he’s definitely an engineer rather than a race car driver!

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Hank Scorpio 08/25/2015 at 19:55

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If you find a link, by all means, post it!

Sir HoonsAlot > KremerK3 08/25/2015 at 21:22

1

lol what I’d give to drive en E30 :)

KremerK3 > Sir HoonsAlot 08/25/2015 at 23:13

1

Yeah it’s a shame these M3’s are getting out of reach for many of us just like my other fav. the 911. The good news is you can still pickup a decent E30 325i for 5k if you do your homework and bring it up to date within your budget over time, with M3’s now fetching 50k your safe investing in a project and may even make money if modded tastefully with say an E36 M3 motor etc.

Hank Scorpio > CranialEctomy 08/26/2015 at 00:21

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That’s exactly his point: beating the Veyron’s top speed is irrelevant because if even the manufacturers can’t get their cars up to that speed, a customer certainly never will.

Sir HoonsAlot > KremerK3 08/26/2015 at 00:24

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Yeah, all my fav Bimmers are all the rising collectables(E30 and 46 m3’s and the m1 coupe) :(

Hank Scorpio > BaconSandwich is tasty. 08/26/2015 at 00:31

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Here ya go. It’s not particularly exciting. He’s just driving it around a parking lot, not taking it on a track. I just thought it was pretty amusing that the lead designer of one of the fastest, most powerful cars in the world takes it around the little turns he does so gingerly!

XJguy > scoob 08/26/2015 at 01:31

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Topfuel does 0-60 in 0.2 second, lol.

wlb50 > Urambo Tauro 08/26/2015 at 02:30

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I have a 30 year old Toyota MR2 that I have had for 27 years. It’s certainly not the fastest car (by a long shot), not is the acceleration that stellar (0-60 8.5 seconds or so) but it is light and quick - steers like a big go cart - gets 30 mpg in town - the overall driving experience puts a smile on my face - and has for 27 years.

You sit very low to the ground - not as low as an Elise - but the front end drops off as a wedge - your sensation is that of being suspended a foot off the pavement and you are just gliding along with the engine happily revving right behind you.

As Peter Egan of Road & Track said, “It’s more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow”

The answer to the question - the overall driving experience.

mysticusa > xchn11111 08/26/2015 at 07:41

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also the energy required is only for a few secs of nonsense is not sustainable... as regular engine would burn/blow quickly or if made to sustain it would probably look something like this,

good luck fitting it in your hood or trunk or trailer like this :)

Mike Ramsey > Darksiede, now LS powered 08/26/2015 at 12:21

0

If you can afford a Koenigsegg this shouldn't be a issue..... Right?

mrbwa1 > Shankems 08/26/2015 at 21:26

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The “official” number I have seen is 0-100pmh in 0.8seconds. The launch is quoted anywhere from 5-8G( depending on if you calculate linear acceleration over the 0.8 seconds or if you consider that launch is not linear: hence the 8g upper end estimate).

Also interesting: popping the chutes at the end of a run give about a 5G deceleration IIRC.

PearlBlueSoul > Urambo Tauro 08/26/2015 at 23:30

0

Useable record is anything below 170.

Useable also would mean higher lateral grip for turning and hopefully better “other” things to accommodate it. Making the car flexible enough to adjust to conditions would be ideal to ensure this is always the case.

Koenigsegg is probably one of the few car companies I think of immediately when it comes to the stated goal of the car meeting a supercar ideal, while being an tour de force of innovation. Above the rest of whats out there, easily my favorite modern day supercar.

GBond > Mike Ramsey 08/27/2015 at 00:02

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Main difference is tires, street legal tires can produce only about 1G in grip, which explains why all very fast cars since the McLaren F1 hover around a 3 second 0-60 time (roughly 1G acceleration). More power doesn’t make a difference, more grip on the other hand does.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > wiffleballtony 09/17/2015 at 01:27

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Mazel tov...