BHP and top speed aka "Transmission efficiency" It has always intrigued me that we still don't assess enough of cars. Of course there can be no end to it. But since it's being done, have to take it further. smartcat's nice statistical study and ranking made for interesting reading - and I must congratulate him on the amazing effort.
To what is on top of my mind, let me explain. The Maruti Swift D and the Getz CRDi were compared and the Swift was declared the winner long back. This kind of an opinion eventually killed the Getz CRDi although it was a kind of a collector's item. The point is. The Swift had 75bhp and the Getz had 110 (or 108 as some reviwers said , you never knew the exact truth!) horses at its command. The Getz had a top speed of 171 kph, while the Swift with much less power could do 160 comfortably (actual speeds, not speedo readings).
To some extent the final drive ratios in the Getz were to blame, there was hearsay that Hyundai never changed the gear ratios for the GetzD believing probably that the engine would do the rest or whatever, so the full power could never be harnessed.Or they did'nt want to invest and then have to recoup the cost
A different scenario. The awesome Cruze has 150 bhp on tap, does a very good 204 kph. A different review comparing the Accord and the Passat TDi
did rate the Accord as more sprightly but the Passat with only 140 bhp from the VW TDi (CRDI) engine was also able to top at 240 (actual).The VW did have the DSG tranny as I do recall..Makes the Cruze look small dose'nt it. And that does make a difference to the buyer who thinks he's got the best and fastest or whatever. Now I know these are across segments (Passat TDI is in a different segment) but again, there is some amount of overlap because the executive versions of the Laura and the Superb also get similar spec engines.
What is the reason for this kind of a stark difference ? AFAI(Limited Knowledge)K , I can only think of less efficient vs. more efficient transmissions. But this is an important question to be asked , and where else to ask it other than team-bhp?I look forward to a good debate, please post your thoughts.. I am looking for the facts, as usual.
Note to mods: I wasn't sure whether to put it on Indian cars or in "Technical stuff" , so please move if you think it appropriate. |