View Single Post
      06-09-2019, 02:15 PM   #21
chassis
Colonel
chassis's Avatar
6374
Rep
2,283
Posts

Drives: 9Y0 Cayenne S
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Einbahnstraße

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Agree fully with the title of the thread. I drove a 1977 Olds Cutlass Supreme with a 3.8L V6. Talk about no performance.

Major improvements have been made in the past 40 years, enabling the 0-60 times of today:

- body and chassis weight reduction through high strength steel, aluminum and plastic usage
- engine weight reduction facilitated by higher horsepower per liter per kg of engine weight, enabled by far superior thermodynamic combustion efficiency through stratified charge, direct injection, multiple spark and forced induction
- more efficient (less friction), lighter and faster shifting transmissions
- larger number of gears approximating a CVT keeping the engine in the peak torque/hp rpm range - remember "three on the tree"?
- mastery of emissions and fuel economy regulations and a move away from passive aggressive obedience to the regulations at the expense of vehicle performance
Appreciate 0