jeudi 11 septembre 2014

Why Honda Accord 0-60 Specifications Matter To Buyers

By Deanne Shepard


Urban drivers today most commonly encounter stop-and-go traffic. Congested streets offer little opportunity to really test how quickly a vehicle can accelerate, but there are still situations where a rapid start helps to avoid an accident, or when it is imperative to merge quickly. Even though most operators of family cars rarely push their vehicles to the limit, Honda Accord 0-60 specifications show what is possible.

Acceleration testing first began in the late 1940s, and Detroit-made vehicles posted times exceeding sixteen seconds. Although those figures seem alarmingly sluggish today, the following decade saw major increases in speed. The sixties ushered in the space age, and the cars built during that time benefited from the new technology, halving earlier records. The swiftest could match a time of seven seconds.

The energy crisis that slammed Americans during the seventies caused a temporary decrease in acceleration standards. The introduction of unleaded fuel in combination with new exhaust emission controls sapped the strength of a generation of vehicles, and even the fastest muscle cars slowed down a bit. Designers worked around those requirements, producing new models that gradually crept back up the scale.

Today, it is common for ordinary cars to reach the sixty miles per hour goal in less than nine seconds. The much-maligned mini-van leaves older sports models in the dust, in spite of a stodgy reputation. Most newly produced automobiles easily beat the old records, and get twice as many miles from a gallon of gas while they do it. The days of impulse-driving cross country have waned, but new cars today could easily meet the challenge.

Auto enthusiasts often look at the acceleration specifications before anything else, but other potential buyers may find them confusing. Some new cars are equipped with high-tech launch devices, sport sticky tires that give quick-starts an advantage, and feature all-wheel drive mechanisms. These automobiles can do the required sprint in under four seconds, extremely fast by any standard.

Most speed records eventually are surpassed, and acceleration will still increase in small amounts. The important thing to remember is that the specifications are best seen as a measurement of performance overall. For daily commuters, this translates to a quick response when needed. Being confident that a vehicle can handle nearly any traffic situation is important when safety is a primary concern.

Accords are a fine example of that capability. Most new models delivered by this Japanese corporation test within a 5.5 to 7.6 second spectrum. Earlier models still being used may add up to 8 seconds, but most drivers find new-model response to be completely satisfactory. The solid, reliable engine design coupled with very high production values compensates for any differences.

The quoted figures can vary in real driving situations. Poorly maintained roads degrade performance, and standard tires can slightly slow things down. The weight of passengers or cargo can also contribute to diminished standing acceleration. Even weather conditions play a part. The real test is personal, and includes real-time driving under a wide variety of conditions, giving potential buyers a true feel of performance.




About the Author:



0 commentaires:

Enregistrer un commentaire

Abonnement Publier les commentaires [Atom]

<< Accueil