Bulking up: A new horsepower race is on

DaiShan

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2001
9,617
1
0
Damn the average HP per car is 188! Seeing as how I only have 200...that sucks

/me runs out and buys a heavily modded Supra.
 

bizmark

Banned
Feb 4, 2002
2,311
0
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In response, John Coletti, head of Ford's special vehicle team, recently said the GT40 will "reduce your Viper to a status somewhere between a garter snake and an earthworm."

Them's fightin' words! LOL

And I'm glad to see the GTO coming back, so we're not at a total loss for something to replace the beloved Firebird/Trans Am *tears in eyes*
 

yakko

Lifer
Apr 18, 2000
25,455
2
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I like how the article doesn't mention that with all the safety features being added that the weight of the vehicles has gone up as well. A new Mini Cooper weighs 400 pounds more than my Jetta.
 

freebee

Diamond Member
Dec 30, 2000
4,043
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And these days its efficient horsepower. Even the corvette can get mid-20s on the epa highway..(probably from lower gearing) but the capability is there.

 

prontospyder

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,262
0
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<<A new Mini Cooper weighs 400 pounds more than my Jetta>>

According to kbb.com:

Mini Cooper: 2315 lbs
VW Jetta: 2892 lbs

They're both very safe cars.
 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
Originally posted by: yakko
I like how the article doesn't mention that with all the safety features being added that the weight of the vehicles has gone up as well. A new Mini Cooper weighs 400 pounds more than my Jetta.

Bullsh!t:D A Mini weighs less than a Jetta.
 

yakko

Lifer
Apr 18, 2000
25,455
2
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My mistake on the Mini. My Jetta is a 92. Where do you get vehicle weight on kbb.com?
 

etech

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
10,597
0
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Originally posted by: yakko
I like how the article doesn't mention that with all the safety features being added that the weight of the vehicles has gone up as well. A new Mini Cooper weighs 400 pounds more than my Jetta.

2002 Volkswagen Jetta
Curb Weight - Automatic (lb.)
GL 2.0.....2945
GL TDI.....3011
GLS 1.8T.3155
GLS 2.0...2985
GLS TDI...3064
GLS VR6..3166
GLX.........3190
GLX VR6 200..3263

2002 MINI Cooper
Curb Weight - Automatic (lb.)
base......2557
 

yakko

Lifer
Apr 18, 2000
25,455
2
0
I guess you failed to read my second post etech which is odd with the way you are infatuated with me. It was the Cooper S I was thinking of and 2600 was the weight I saw which is right according to the link you provided.
 

prontospyder

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,262
0
0
<<Where do you get vehicle weight on kbb.com?>>

Doesn't look like kbb.com has data on your 92 Jetta. I got the new Jetta/Cooper info from "New Car Pricing".
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
1992 Jetta

Exterior Dimensions------------Carat----GL-------GLI

Curb Weight - Manual (lb.)----2428-----2330----2500
 

prontospyder

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,262
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wow...your 92 Jetta is lighter than the Mini Cooper S. I wonder if the old Jettas are as safe as the new ones....
 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
Originally posted by: prontospyder
wow...your 92 Jetta is lighter than the Mini Cooper S. I wonder if the old Jettas are as safe as the new ones....

Not by 400 lbs though ;) Anyway, I doubt the old Jettas are anywhere near as safe as the new ones.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
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Consumers don't have a choice between a gas-guzzling SUV and a fuel-efficient SUV. When there are choices, let's see what people want to buy."

Ummm.... Honda CRV? Toyota RAV4? Mazda/Ford Tribute/Escape?

 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
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Not by 400 lbs though ;) Anyway, I doubt the old Jettas are anywhere near as safe as the new ones.

Reread yakko's post. His point was that vehicle weight IS increasing because of saftey features. Added weight does not come without a penalty. That penalty is milage.
 

fastz28

Golden Member
Mar 27, 2001
1,794
0
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It's about time. :D

High HP doesn't necessary mean not fuel efficient. The technology has improved so much. My 350+ HP, V8 gets 28mpg on the freeway. 20 years ago some 4-cyl cars can't even do that.

 

yakko

Lifer
Apr 18, 2000
25,455
2
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Originally posted by: prontospyder
wow...your 92 Jetta is lighter than the Mini Cooper S. I wonder if the old Jettas are as safe as the new ones....

My Jetta is the GL. From the wrecks I have seen while they may not be as safe as the new Jettas they are pretty damn safe. Also if my 77 Scirocco is any indication then they are real safe because it was hit by a 94 Caddy and held up quite well and weighed less.
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Consumers don't have a choice between a gas-guzzling SUV and a fuel-efficient SUV. When there are choices, let's see what people want to buy."

Ummm.... Honda CRV? Toyota RAV4? Mazda/Ford Tribute/Escape?

those are SUVs in only in the loosest sense. The RAV4 has a "wonderful" 2.0L with 120HP. Nothing like a 13 second 0-60 ;) The CRV makes it to 60 in 11 seconds.
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
2678(Mini Cooper S) - 2330(Jetta GL) = 348lbs, 400lbs was a pretty good guess on yakko's part.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
those are SUVs in only in the loosest sense. The RAV4 has a "wonderful" 2.0L with 120HP. Nothing like a 13 second 0-60 ;) The CRV makes it to 60 in 11 seconds.

It's a price you pay for low emissions and better milage. Emissions being the bigger inhibitor of the two.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
Any mention of gas costs and sports cars is pretty silly. I don't think the average driver of a viper or the new ford cares if gas costs $1.50/gallon or $5/gallon. I mean damn look at a lamborghini. They get worst mileage than a fully laden dump truck!