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Old 03-27-2012, 09:54 AM   #313
Lighting Red
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scion FR-S View Post
One explanation for the fact that a low-slung car like the Miata feels subjectively faster than it "really" is stems from the physics of perception: Your eye is much lower to the ground and consequently your visual field as you look at the road ahead or to the side appears to be moving more quickly. You get the same effect at a more exaggerated level when you see video from low fender-mounted cameras.

The same highway speed in my 1st-gen Tib (51" high, same as FR-S) feels much faster than in a family member's Corolla XRS I occasionally drive (58" high).

Another subjective factor influencing speed perception is sound. A Miata will be letting far more road, tire, and engine noise in the cabin than a 335i - again, creating a perception of more speed.
A really good analogy is doing 40 kts/hr in a Bayliner and 40 kts/hr on a Waverunner.
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