Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob
I wasn't trying to challenge or criticize. I was asking b/c i didn't understand.
The autocross comment was a defense to the realization that I had no idea how these cars perform from a measurable metric. I know both are fast. I know I would pick the M3 as a daily driver out of the two b/c I have kids.
But according to the graphs you have put up, the M3 should be faster than the Corvette at least for a time off the line. That's surprising to me and I would be interesrted to know if it is true in the real world.
I also don't understand why the 'vette would leave so much potential untapped, if that is what its doing. Is this the choice of the engineers for "fast enough?" Perhaps the compromise point they chose? Or are there other considerations that require or at least make the torque drop desireable? I suppose fuel economy might be enough by itself.
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More torque at the wheels, though, does not necessarily equal faster off the line. In addition to the weight issue (which is beyond my ability to quantify) there are other variables like traction--the Corvette has much wider rear wheels than the M3 does, and thus may be able to better take advantage of the wheel torque it does have than the M3 is.
JV, are your calculations torque at the contact patch, or torque at the hub? In other words, do you include the effect of tire diameter in your overall gearing calculations?
Also, WRT fuel economy, another huge variable (in fact, probably the biggest variable) is wind resistance. Since the Corvette has a smaller frontal area than the M3 and probably a better coefficient of drag besides, it simply takes less work to move the Corvette through the wind at a given speed.