Since when did we get HP crazy……

[Fortis]

This all started pretty recently. The last decade or two, cars had a steady increase in power and nothing too drastic. Take the mustang GT for example: 1994 had around 210, 1999 had around 260 and 2010 had 310. IMO, the 2010 Camaro was the catalyst. Chevy introduces a new sports coupe with a base model having 300+ HP and the SS with 400+. All the other automakers seem to have followed suit afterwards. We started seeing 348 HP Genesis coupes, 414 HP Mustangs, 400+ HP Chargers/Challengers, etc... From 1994 to 2012 (18 years) the Mustang GT saw a 200 HP increase. That's insane.

[N1rve]

It's for bragging rights.. hmph.

[BadMoon]

Originally Posted by humfrz

When and why did so many folks start believing that a “sports car” had to have a lot of POWER!

It sure as heck didn’t start that way.


Car Year HP Weight (lbs) lbs/HP

MGB 1970 92 2,220 24
TR-6 1970 104 2,490 24
240-Z 1970 151 2,300 15
Fiat 124 1970 105 2,100 20
Porsche 911-T 1970 123 2,250 18
Miata 1990 116 2,116 18
Corvette 1953 150 2,850 19
FR-S 2013 200 2,758 14


Comments..??

(sorry it's hard to read .... I can't get the "chart" to cooperate .....)



humfrz

Why you bringin up old shit?

[djmm]

Honestly from 0-50kmh (not sure in miles) on day to day driving, I find it adequate enough. Only sometimes when I'm on 60km wanting to go 80km I have to floor the pedal a bit (auto transmission). Is that usually when we experience the torque dip?

[Quentin]

Originally Posted by whataboutbob

Because I want to beat my competitors at autox. I don't need to achieve the same HP numbers as them due to the amazing chassis design, but my average speed over the course has to be higher than theirs to win. YMMMV.

At some point you'll move to B stock, though. From what I've read, the twins are quite competent C stock cars. My two times through an autox course had the tail wagging, so I need a driver mod before more power.

[Mikem53]

Hey old man... You're living in the past !
It's all about marketing and blasting people with horsepower numbers to sell cars.. and cars are heavier these days cause of the safety crap and other non essential comfort crapola..
This car is fast enough ... Those who realize that are the ones who are enjoying it the most as it is... Like me!

Originally Posted by humfrz

When and why did so many folks start believing that a “sports car” had to have a lot of POWER!

It sure as heck didn’t start that way.


Car Year HP Weight (lbs) lbs/HP

MGB 1970 92 2,220 24
TR-6 1970 104 2,490 24
240-Z 1970 151 2,300 15
Fiat 124 1970 105 2,100 20
Porsche 911-T 1970 123 2,250 18
Miata 1990 116 2,116 18
Corvette 1953 150 2,850 19
FR-S 2013 200 2,758 14


Comments..??

(sorry it's hard to read .... I can't get the "chart" to cooperate .....)



humfrz

[Sideways&Smiling]

This is a modern Japanese tuner car. Of course, power matters.... well, power-to-weight, to be more specific. This is following in the footsteps of the Silvia S15, RX7, S2000, etc., all of which had better power to weight... That + the fact that we know how much better the 86 could be, due to having previously driven these other cars are why it matters so much...

Technology moves on and we expect improvement... had this car hit its target production weight of 2500 pounds, it would have been much more interesting...

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by BadMoon

Why you bringin up old shit?

Well, BadMoon, ..... cause I'm old .... and my long term memory is much better that my short term memory ...... now, what were we talking about ..... ??


humfrz

[vh_supra26]

Because people always keep wanting more and more.

[Dezoris]

Because straight line speed is also apart of the balanced sports car formula.

[MokSpeed]

I think people get confused with the difference between a sports cars and a "sporty car". A sports car makes you want to drive it for no apparent reason. For example, when I drive my IS300 I feel that it's a pretty sporty car and has some pep to it. When I drive my FR-S I have to fight the urge to dive into every corner and floor it when I hit the apex. Thus making me look like a complete ass when driving it lol.

[BadMoon]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Well, BadMoon, ..... cause I'm old .... and my long term memory is much better that my short term memory ...... now, what were we talking about ..... ??


humfrz

Since you are old then I will provide you with the Ghetto translation of my joking post:

"Why you bringing up old shit" = Why do you continue to dwell on the past?

[Ammonia]

All those listed cars are older and aren't fair comparisons. I enjoy revving my car out to 7k for the feel of it but I won't lie and say I wouldn't love some more low-end torque.

Cars get more powerful as time goes on. That should be the trend. The FRS/BRZ have excellent driving characteristics, I won't argue with that though. I may end up adding FI later on though, just can't get over running 15 sec in the 1/4 lol

[AyJay]

I think our obsession with horsepower has more to do with the general public's lack of sophistication when it comes to driving and their elementary views of racing.

America developed a love affair with pony car's as race cars because it catered to the most neandrathal form of "racing". Me caveman ... me step on gas... me go fast straight... me win race.

These views are further advanced by movies featuring drag racing as a way to get the girl, the money, or the respect (cuz to some people that's more important lol). They are also reflected in our most popular form of motorsport, NasCar, where the only reason you make any turns at all is just so you can get back to the next straight.

Couple the ignorance of Joe Average with the overwhelming majority of self described "car enthusaists" love for magazine reading, bench racing, and spec quoting, and you end up with pony car's ruling the roost and sports cars needing to match their horsepower figures in order to be considered "fast".