What's My 0-60 Time??

[AtoB]

Originally Posted by YellowPorscheMan2002

Why do magazines report faster times?

actually, it's usually the manufacturer that reports more conservative 0-60 numbers. i know that's usually the case with BMWs. for example, BMW claims that the Z4 3.0 pulls a 5.9 0-60... but most magazines put it at anywhere from 5.4 to 5.7.

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

As SD987 points out, it's all about the Testing Protocol and what the Manufacturer (or Magazine Review) is trying to achieve. But, absolute Truth is rarely the objective.

It may be for Marketing Purposes and aimed at a specific competitor, or it may have insurance implications (such as the many understated power/speed ratings of the '60s/'70s Muscle Cars), or it may be aimed at the Buyer where fudging on the numbers is enough to pique someone's interest into at least considering and Test Driving the car (which might not occur if the basic Stats are unappealing) in hopes that other allures (such as Styling, Creature Comforts, Provenance, etc.) will kick-in and take over somewhere in the decision process.

The Car may be stripped of excess weight, such as the spare tire, Stereo, FloorMats, even Fender Liners, Heat Shields, and excess fuel load. The car may be cleaned up aerodynamically by removing the Front Plate or testing the Car Top UP. The Tire Pressures may be super-inflated. The lightest optional Rim could be used. A European engine, DME or fuel may be used. Certainly, a Professional Driver on a closed course would be used. Then, favorable weather and altitude conditions are often part of the process as well (and when you're talking about 10ths of a sec., these can have a very definite effect). Even the total destruction of the drivetrain could be considered necessary to post stellar numbers (Lambo destroyed 3 engines in 4 days of testing in order to better the numbers of the competing Ferrari when testing the Mucielago).

Consumer Reports may be interested in Truth, but again, even their Testing Protocol is debatable...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[z12358]

Basically, these numbers should be taken with at least a +/-0.5sec "grain of salt" and are pretty meaningless except to separate between a 4.0sec super car, a 6.0sec sports car, an 8.0sec fast sedan, a 10sec sedan and a 12sec minivan -- and one doesn't really need numbers to make those distinctions, as eyeballing + hp/torque/weight data would suffice.

Z.

[spongebob]

Is there a difference between us and eu engines?



As SD987 points out, it's all about the Testing Protocol and what the Manufacturer (or Magazine Review) is trying to achieve. But, absolute Truth is rarely the objective.

It may be for Marketing Purposes and aimed at a specific competitor, or it may have insurance implications (such as the many understated power/speed ratings of the '60s/'70s Muscle Cars), or it may be aimed at the Buyer where fudging on the numbers is enough to pique someone's interest into at least considering and Test Driving the car (which might not occur if the basic Stats are unappealing) in hopes that other allures (such as Styling, Creature Comforts, Provenance, etc.) will kick-in and take over somewhere in the decision process.

The Car may be stripped of excess weight, such as the spare tire, Stereo, FloorMats, even Fender Liners, Heat Shields, and excess fuel load. The car may be cleaned up aerodynamically by removing the Front Plate or testing the Car Top UP. The Tire Pressures may be super-inflated. The lightest optional Rim could be used. A European engine, DME or fuel may be used. Certainly, a Professional Driver on a closed course would be used. Then, favorable weather and altitude conditions are often part of the process as well (and when you're talking about 10ths of a sec., these can have a very definite effect). Even the total destruction of the drivetrain could be considered necessary to post stellar numbers (Lambo destroyed 3 engines in 4 days of testing in order to better the numbers of the competing Ferrari when testing the Mucielago).

Consumer Reports may be interested in Truth, but again, even their Testing Protocol is debatable...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99[/QUOTE]

[blinkwatt]

Originally Posted by spongebob

Is there a difference between us and eu engines?

I don't think it's the engines more the octane ratings of the fuel and exhaust systems.

[Bavarian Motorist]

I think many mags use power shifting to get higher times.


Anyone know what the real 0-60 on the 987 non-S is with a 5 speed?


I can't time myself but since I can get up to 67 mph in second gear, I only need to shift once.