Car DataThis page will help explain how I have put together the car data for the performance cars listed. With so much data flying around the internet, is it any wonder people get confused. Straight off, let me say that the car specifications that I used are only as good as the data I have managed to collect from the net and my library of books. See below.
These vary from one source to another and I have either averaged those figures or gone with the ones I feel are the most accurate or from a reliable source. You have to remember that both the manufacturers quoted figures and test drive results are really a guide and it isn't unusual to have slight difference to both the performance and power between two seemingly identical cars. Also I have dated some cars specifically, as due to year to year changes the specifications may well be different. Some of the car data and performance figures will be from road tests and others from the manufacturers, but as mentioned above, they are a guide to the cars likely abilities. As a side note: I'm only human and occasionally I make errors or typos, if you see any, I would be grateful if you would let me know. Horsepower Ratings: American Cars: Hp (Gross):
Pre 1972 American car engine power = gross horsepower. Measured using a blueprinted test engine running on a stand without accessories, air filter, exhaust system, or emissions control devices and sometimes fitted with "test Manifolds". The resulting Gross power (and torque) figures therefore reflected a maximum, theoretical value and not the power of an installed engine.
Hp (Net):
Post 1972 American car engine power = net horsepower. Complete and installed engine, it measures engine power at the flywheel, not counting transmission losses (or anything after the flywheel).
Remember - American cars use their large CU engines "torque" to provide the performance from their cars.
All Other Cars: Brake Horsepower:
Brake horsepower (bhp) is the measure of an engine's horsepower on a dynamometer. It is measured at the engine's output shaft (crankshaft - which is connected obviously to the flywheel). The Final figure arises from the engines torque being used to calculate the bhp (see Horsepower and Torque explained).
Note: PS (Pferdestärke) is another measure. Many manufacturers use the PS figures for the BHP figure, See below:
Rough Guide:
Essentially and approximately -
I have mostly used the correct BHP figure, as oppose to the PS figure, but due to time constraints, I may well have left some power figures as PS, but quoted BHP.
Curb Weight: Always amazes me the difference in vehicle weight from one car data source to another. Of course equipment levels will have an affect on the weight, but where possible I have used an average weight of several sources or straight from the manufacturer. This will also obviously affect the BHP/Ton figure. Pictures: The pictures are of cars of that particular model, but not necessarily of the exact model the figures are quoted for. Some models have face lifts/trims changes from one year to the next, but still fall under the same MK, Series or model code as the previous years. Videos: These are embedded from Youtube and are mostly covering the model of interest. Note: I do not endorse or advice any of the driving tactics shown on public roads in any of the videos!.
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