Quote:
Originally Posted by Gears_and_Gasoline
says the guy who wasn't in the car the night we did it......  |
Physics doesn't lie, whereas people frequently do. A vehicle with the frontal area of the M3 needs a lot more than 430 bhp on tap to move air out of the way, overcome rolling resistance, and overcome other impediments to getting power to the pavement in the quest for 200 mph. The following is a quote from physicist Brian Beckman (who is also a race driver): " Race cars capable of going 200 mph usually have at least 650 hp, about 350 of which goes into overcoming air resistance. It is probably possible to go 200 mph with a car in the 450-500 hp range, but such a car would have very good aerodynamics; expensive, low-friction internal parts; and low rolling resistance tyres, which are designed to have the smallest possible contact patch like high performance bicycle tyres, and are therefore not good for handling."
Even with "bicycle tires" 430 bhp isn't getting you to 200 mph, and with a frontal area of 23.5 square feet and a Cd of 0.3, the M3 is hardly an aerodynamic groundbreaker.