When is it gonna stop?

It will end whenever customers stop demanding ever increasing high horsepower cars! I agree, especially in the US with crazy speed limits and bad drivers....
gordon

 

I agree, we passed usable levels a decade ago and now we're up to 'ludicrous speed.'

I don't know what Enzo owners do. You get to use 1st through 3rd gear, I suppose, and the others are there for display purposes only. Even in a 355, it seems like you need a track to get close to what the car will do.

I think we've gotten to the point where bhp numbers are more for marketing than anything. I kind of like the direction Lotus has taken - moderate output, low weight, huge fun = real sports car.

 

Not even that. I think it will only end when manufacturers want it to end. People in general only care that their hp number is higher than anyone else's. If the manufacturer stops making their's higher, and instead make them lighter with the same results then I believe low weight will be the next high horsepower. Until then though, it will only continue the way it's going.

Peter Hatch

 

I don't think horsepower/speed kills. Bad driving kills.

Overpowered cars are wasteful and pointless (obviously, or we wouldn't be calling them 'overpowered'...), but not inherently dangerous.

 

This is how it is going to end:
1) Soccer mom and kids get killed on a 400 BHP SUV.
2) Lawyer successfully sues car manufacturer, and everybody in between.
3) Government steps in and "fixes" the problem with a very low HP limit, bumpers, air bags and electronic driver aids everywhere, etc.

 

There are times I think my 430 has too much power, and I'm at altitude where the power is down anyway. Sometimes I wish it had less so that I could drive it harder, but I'm trying to adjust. I also have a 328 and, I admit, I sometimes wish it had a little more power though it is still very enjoyable. Also have a Subie STI which with 300 ft lbs, is very quick. It also is geared such that it redlines at about 95 in 4th which helps make it enjoyable. Redline in 4th in the 430 is in the "take me to jail" range speedwise.

It takes a pretty mature person to not push these cars beyond reasonable limits on the road.

HP is about bragging rights for manufacturers and owners, even though torque is more important IMO. Insurance comoanies had a big hand in ending the previous muscle car era. It could happen again.

Dave

 

Anyone remember the 'Supercar scare' in the 70's?
What goes around, comes around.

 

Yup! That's the secret to fun in the real world. I can't imagine 400 HP let alone 600. I have all my fun between 40-80 mph. People with $200k + to drop on a car really don't care about that anyway more often than not.

Ken

 

So, you can't drive 25mph in an F430? You can't keep a safe following distance? It doesn't have turn signals?

I give up. Why would a good driver in a 500bhp car have more accidents than the same guy in 250bhp car?

 

True, you need more electronic nannies - and some restraint - to keep the tires planted. I remember driving an '86 Corvette (not mine) in Cleveland on a snowy day with the standard Goodyear gatorbacks ... and thinking I would rather be driving any other vehicle. You couldn't do more than tap the accelerator.

 

Ever been in a bar hanging around with a smokin' hot little honey? Ever get tempted to do soemthing you know you might regret later...against your better judgement? Sometimes the girl next door doesn't bring out the "gangsta" in you.....
Sometimes you don't know you're in trouble, or stepped over the line...until you have stepped over it.

 

I wonder what it would be like if all the high-end manufacturers set another "Gentleman's Agreement" like the German's religious observation of the 155mph speed governor, only this time with horsepower. Think about it--no more than 600 horsepower with everything else up to the manufacturer. Weight would drop, chassis development from car to car would be incredible, and as a result the whole experience would be magnified.

Bullfighter, I agree with you. Sometimes I think Lotus' weight and chassis advantages outweigh high horsepower in terms of enjoyment.

 

Stupid german are going to spoil it for everyone with their stupid 600hp S class and 500hp R/G class. Plus there is a 450hp C class coming ..

Why ??

 

Yes.
No. At least not using my car to prove the point.

EDIT: Well, I guess some guys might...
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140925

Uh, because we all talk trash about the Merc C Class (when we can catch them...)?

I agree about the R class. What's the point of having an ultra-safe family hauler with 18 airbags and every safety device known to man -- and then pumping it up so it can manhandle the Corvette the next door?

 

The same thing happened with motorcycles. Now they don't advertise HP and top speeds yet it's there.

I'm sure something will kill the HP wars. It might be that legislated fuel economies squash it.

 

I completely agree. The solution as we all well know is to buy a 79 308 carb car. LOL
I can have more fun than a man should have a right too, and still get my ass kicked by most of the soccer-moms in mini-vans.--Bob

 

This world needs balance. 600 HP Mercedes autos to counterbalance the 53 BHP Renaults, Peugots and Citroens currently clogging up motorways throughout Europe.

 

Put a nitrous oxide kit on your Lotus and you wouldn't have to imagine 400 HP, but then after 10 seconds of that, you wouldn't have to imagine the sound of pistons and con rods freeing themselves from the confines of the engine.

 

Not only is horsepower rising, but the manufacturers are lowering the overall weight to increase performance, so its a double ended increase...

Its not only supercars which are going overboard, drive a Nissan Z350, 300hp and it weighs 2100lbs. Everyday sports cars like those are becoming increasingly dangerous too.

 

Horsepower isn't about top end necessarily, it's how fast you can go from stop light to stop light

The only upside is that now there are many more driving events (compared to 20 yrs ago I've heard) so those with the power can enjoy it safely, and learn to control it on the streets.

At the end of the day it's the driver's fault. I've driven a 500 hp Viper in the rain, and it's not a big deal. Just don't stand on the gas pedal!

 

It will stop when the insurance companies make it impossible to insure something over a certian HP or power to weight ratio. Its what keeps most young buyers out of new mustang GT's unless they're rich or have rich parents.

For me, 1000hp is about right for the street