Some manufacturers use a time limited higher rpm limiter to
reach 60 mph in 2:nd gear to get the desired results. I
prefer a closer ratio gearbox but it all depends on what the
car is used for.
Thomas
John F Sandhoff wrote:
> It was written:
>
> > They dont make gearboxes close ratio anymore...
>
> > A final gear ratio around 2.90:1 would
> > make it possible to reach 60 mph in second at 6000 rpm...
>
> It isn't about performance or driveability any more, it's about
> marketing.
>
> One of the 'holy grail' numbers that consumers base their decisions
> on is '0-60 times'. But unfortunately, when you truly think about it 0-60
> times are pretty bogus in most cases. Consider: Off-the-line stoplight
> launches are about what, 0-20 or 0-30? Autocross isn't about
> acceleration nearly as much as about staying in the RPM 'sweet spot'.
> Autobahn contests are about top end, as long as you achieve it in a
> reasonable time.
>
> But car performance must be distilled into some simple one-step
> comparison for the clueless consumer. Thus manufacturers now
> design the gearboxes so they only need ONE shift to get 0-60.
> Heaven forbid you need to shift twice, costing a few tenths of a
> second! And never mind if the ratios absolutely suck for real-world
> use, just make sure that precious 0-60 range fits within the first two
> gears.
>
> -- John
> "Some many opinions, so little time"
> John F Sandhoff sandhoff@csus.edu Sacramento, CA
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