HP required for "typical" vehicle on flat at 55mph?

[bennelson]

Sorry guys, I'm just blanking on this one.

Can anyone help me figure out how many horsepower are required for a "typical" (not-aeromodded, not stripped) vehicle to cruise down the freeway at 55 mph?

I'm interested in the numbers for a Chevy S10 pickup truck or Subaru Outback stationwagon.

I'm sure somebody has a link to a good horsepower/weight/size calculator somewhere, I just can't seem to find it.

Thanks in advance.

-Ben

[Daox]

I know of one...

Aerodynamic & rolling resistance, power & MPG calculator - EcoModder.com

[bennelson]

Doh! Right here on Ecomodder. Duh. Told you my brain wasn't working.

Now since that calculator requires a bunch of information.....

How do I enter info in there on a vehicle I don't have? Does anyone know of a listing anywhere of all that data for various makes and models?

[Daox]

Its best to start with the vehicle coefficient of drag list. That'll give you frontal area and cd for a lot of vehicles, but not all. You still have to google for a vehicle's weight.

For other vehicles not on the list I like to use wikipedia to get the vehicle dimensions. H x W x .84 is the formula used for frontal area. Then you just have to google for a vehicle's cd and weight.

[theycallmeebryan]

For a 1994-2004 S-10 Extended cab, The calculator shows 15.64hp to go 55mph.

THis is based off a .45Cd, Frontal area of 24.37sqft, and 3081lb curb weight

[jakobnev]

I hear 1000A DC motor controllers can give off toxic fumes that affect your brain when you destroy them.

[bennelson]

Originally Posted by jakobnev

I hear 1000A DC motor controllers can give off toxic fumes that affect your brain when you destroy them.

Ah yes, I had the fire extinguisher with but no SCUBA......

Note to self for next time.

[ProDarwin]

Remember, the results from those calcs are WHEEL HP (after driveline losses) at whatever RPM you turn in top gear at 55mph.

[drmiller100]

that weight seems pretty light to me. but maybe......

[redyaris]

Looks like 9.83 HP estimate

MPH Total HP AERO HP RollingHP MPG
55 9.83 7.68 2.15 52.63

Variables for these results:

Vehicle weight: 1496.9 kg / 3300 lbs
Crr: .015
Cd: .40
A: 2.2 m2 / 24 ft2
Fuel energy density (Wh/US gal.): 33557
Engine efficiency: .22
Drivetrain efficiency: .95
Parasitic overhead (Watts): 1800
rho: 1.22 kg/m3