What 0-60 acceleration would you accept for good fuel economy?

[mopo3]

My yaris can easily get 40MPG and it has more than enough power to get me into trouble if I'm not paying attention.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by whokilledthejams

Most people, at least where I live, could drive an old Mercedes 240D (0-60 in 22 seconds on a good day), and not accelerate any slower than they normally do.

Yeah, that's exactly my impression. I drive a Honda Insight (70+ mpg), and had a CRX (40+ mpg) before that. With both of them, after a light turned I'd generally be 50 yards or so down the road before most other cars began to move - and without using more than about half throttle.

I think the Insight is rated at a bit over 10 sec for 0-60, and that's fine with me.

[bgd73]

I have never figured out the 0-60 phenomona. someone important enough to torture us all in the industry has had thier backwards way a looong freakin time now. My first car: a dodge coronet with a police package. for many cars and trucks afterwards, all v8s. One did 10.4 quarters street casually.I honestly could give a crap less about 10 seconds to 60.

The 90hp sube still has one of the smallest engines on the road for the work it does. I voted 10-15 to 60, but I am certainly off a bit. up to 10 seconds for a few highway onramps is quite ok.Quick enough to have to hold on to loose items on the dash, not just jumping first gears

[Clev]

Originally Posted by mopo3

My yaris can easily get 40MPG and it has more than enough power to get me into trouble if I'm not paying attention.

I looked that up a couple of days ago. The 3-door has A/C, tilt wheel, ABS and side air bags, is rated at 37 mpg, and invoices for $11,000? I think I know what my next car will be! How do you like it?

[wagonman76]

Ive never really timed my acceleration. But even before I started ecodriving, my friend always told me I drove like a grandma and thats why my cars last so long. Back when I thought I was driving pretty spirited. I also drove a lot slower than most anybody Ive ridden with.

[BlackDeuceCoupe]

Originally Posted by bgd73

I have never figured out the 0-60 phenomona...

I've thought about this a lot...

I do a lot of street racing, so called. Most races are over at 80-ish mph (about 10 seconds in my car) not 60 mph. 60 mph means nothing, so what's the point?

Here's how it goes: Come off the light @ 8000 rpm - shift into 2nd when you hit the limiter - shift into 3rd when you hit the limiter again - 10 seconds and 80 mph later, race over - throw it into neutral and coast back to the speed limit.

Here's you basic Honda CiViC B16 Race n' Glide - nothing special...

First demonstration is 80-ish, when most races are over.

Second demonstration is 120-ish -- stupidity on a 2-lane road, IMHO!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22Ebjz7AHBw

That said, I think a much better measure would be...

How fast will your car go in 10 seconds? NOT...

How long does it take your car to get to 60 mph?

[MazdaMatt]

a) i hope you're not posting video evidence of yourself street racing
b) street racing is stupid, please take it to the track and stop risking your life and others. Where I race I have an ambulance waiting for me. Sure I think i'm good at what i do, but you never know when you might pop a coolant line and roll 5 times.
c) 0-60 is important not for street racing but because 60 is a reasonable estimate of highway driving speed. It is a "typical" speed limit for a highway (100km/h here in Canada)... now why you'd be starting form 0 to get on the highway i don't know. I like the 60-70 times better because they indicate real-world ability to pass somebody and I want that to be pretty short.


In response to Basjoos's comment regarding your reasonable acceleration rate and your outstanding highway rating, I really must assume that your highway rating is NOT taken from EPA standard testing, but from years of experience as an eco-driver. You would definately find more typical numbers if you handed over your car to EPA.

[BlackDeuceCoupe]

Originally Posted by MazdaMatt

a) i hope you're not posting video evidence of yourself street racing...

I am not... The driver is barefoot - I drive in socks!

That's just your typical Honda CiViC with a B16 engine, doing a basic pulse n' glide!

My B16 swap (and everyone else's) looks and sounds exactly like this...

The first demonstration of speed is 0-80ish. At this point, the challenger is usually several car lengths behind you, with NO chance of catching you until 140-150, sooo...

The second demonstration is basically 60-120 mph, e.g. dangerous showboating!

My point is 0-60 means absolutely nothing!!!

I dunno, maybe it did in 1957 or something, but...

These days, when a dung pile 40+ mpg ECO car can beat 99% of anything you run against it - what relevance does 0-60 times have?!?!?

[some_other_dave]

I voted for 10-15 seconds, because I would like to have the option of using decent acceleration if I decide I really do need it. (Or want to use it, rarely, just for jollies.)

My usual 0-60 time is "No". I very rarely drive 60 MPH, and generally take a loooooong time to get there if I do. I'll generally try 50 MPH or 55 MPH on the freeway, and only decide to try 60 if I think I'll be causing problems at a lower speed.

-soD

[basjoos]

Originally Posted by MazdaMatt

In response to Basjoos's comment regarding your reasonable acceleration rate and your outstanding highway rating, I really must assume that your highway rating is NOT taken from EPA standard testing, but from years of experience as an eco-driver. You would definately find more typical numbers if you handed over your car to EPA.

The original EPA highway for my car was 47mpg, but my car is so modified from its stock configuration that I don't think that number would apply anymore. Even when I drive it normally (non-hypermiling or eco-driving), I'm still getting mpg's in the 60's on the highway and around 50mpg in town. I have to work pretty hard to keep it below 45mpg, give it any amount of highway cruising and it pops right back up. And with all of the aeromodding, I would have to be traveling at over 90mph to knock the highway mpg's below 50.