I was curious and I had some time to kill this AM, so I put together the following table using a random selection of sports cars, old and new. It was interesting to see where the S2000 placed. Diet anyone?

WEIGHT TO POWER RATIO TABLE
Old & New Sports Cars & Competion Cars

ratio
Ferrari F40 5.1
Mercedes-Benz 300SLR (competition) 5.2
AC Shelby Cobra - 427 5.9
Ferrari 410 Super America 6.7
Maserati 3000S 6.7
Porsche 959 6.7
Dodge Viper SRT-10 6.8
AC Shelby Cobra - 289 7.3
Jaguar D-type (competition) 7.5
Corvette Z06 7.7
Allard J2R w/Cadillac 8.8
DeTomaso Pantera 8.9
Corvette Stingray (327 cu in) 9.0
Aston Martin DB3S 9.3
Jaguar E-type 9.9
Aston Martin DB5 (James Bond)10.0
Acura NSX - Zanardi edition 10.3
Porsche 911 Targa 10.4
Mercedes-Benz 300SL 10.7
Acura NSX 10.9
Porsche Boxster S 11.4
Nissian 350Z track 11.5
Honda S2000 11.8
Porsche Spyder 11.8
Corvette (265 cu in) 11.9
Nissian 350Z conv 12.0
Sunbeam Tiger 12.8
Porsche Boxster 12.8
Lotus Elan 12.8
OSCA 13.2
Lotus Mark IX 13.4
Ferrari 308 GTB 13.5
BMW Z4 13.7
Austin-Healey 100S 14.3
Mercedes-Benz SLK320 14.4
Triumph TR-5 15.1
Audi TT Turbo 15.2
Datsun 240Z 15.2
BMW Z3 15.4
Maserati 2000GT 15.8
Toyota MR2 16.3
Austin-Healey 3000 16.9
Mazda Miata 17.3
Alfa Romeo GTV-6 18.4
Porsche Carrera - mid 50s 18.5
Aston Martin DB2-4 18.6
Morgan Plus Four 19.9
Triumph TR-3 20.0
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce 21.1
Fiat 124 Spider 21.2
MGB (early) 21.4
Triumph TR-2 22.2
MGA MkII 23.4
Porsche 1600S 23.8
MG Midget 24.6
Triumph Spitfire 24.9
Honda S600 27.6

 

Thanks. Several of those are pretty surprising.

 

So, if we could get down to 1850 lbs, we'd have the same power:weight ratio as the Z06!

 

One extra to your list: Toyota Supra Turbo 10.9
Now for the engineers out there: I know this ratio gives you a pretty good idea as to the car's capabilities, but isn't it true that with more weight you need -proportionately- much more power? ie: it is not a linear relationship, like with wind resistance, to go from 20 MPH to 40MPH takes a lot more than double the energy.
Anyone care to elaborate on this?
Daniel

 

Not only does it ignore wind resistance, but more importantly it ignores gearing and does a calculation using peak HP rather than HP available in a usable rev range. It can be used for a rough guide of performance but is not all that accurate a predictor of performance under varying conditions.

 

Cool list man! Looks like you did a lot of work for us, thanx for sharing.

Nick

 

WOOO WHOOOO! I own both an S2000 and a Spitfire!

Man I like driving slow in the fast lane! HAHAHAHA

 

It's not a perfect measurement system, that I know. Heck, I had a Sting Ray (before it became one word) and although it had a great engine, it handled like crap compared to our sweet car. But, it still shows rather dramatically why less weight is so important in the big picture. Also, everyone of these car's is fun to drive, so there are no losers.