It’s not only horsepower that matters.
According to Isaac Newton’s Second Lawof Physics, acceleration refers to “the rate at which an object’s velocity changes with respect time.” Motor1.com often uses the term acceleration to refer to a car’s performance capabilities. BMW has released a video that explains the science behind sprinting from a standstill at 60 mph to 96 km/h. This video is for those of you who are more familiar with the metric system.
BMW identifies five factors that influence acceleration. Because we’re talking science, there is no second opinion. The aerodynamics, weight and power output, as well as tires and assistance systems, all play a role in the acceleration times of modern cars. The 3:34-minute clip explains which are more important and why it is so important to maintain a balanced power-to-weight ratio. It is not enough to have a lot horses.
The description of the video links to a dedicated BMW site that explains various terms in automotive engineering. In this case, the focus is on ways to increase your car’s acceleration. The Germans explain how to accelerate quickly in a BMW M4 equipped with a manual transmission. These tricks can be applied to any modern car with a manual transmission.
You want to know more? You can find out more by watching the video at the top and the second source link down below. This will take you directly to BMW’s website for enthusiasts automotive engineers. It is exactly where we belong.