Why Honda Accord 0-60 Specifications Matter To Buyers

By Deanne Shepard


Stop-and-go traffic is the norm for most urban drivers. Chronically congested streets afford few chances to actually test full acceleration speed in real time, but situations still arise where a nimble start can prevent a rear-end collision, or when freeway traffic makes merging quickly imperative. While most family vehicle operators seldom push their cars to the maximum, Honda Accord 0-60 results illustrate the possibilities.

Acceleration measurements were first taken after the Second World War, and the best figures for Detroit-made vehicles exceeded sixteen seconds. Although unimpressive by modern standards, the stats soon began to show marked improvement. The sixties witnessed an explosion of technology sparked by the space race, and acceleration times were reduced by nearly half. The fastest vehicles could boast seven seconds.

During the 1970s the first major energy crisis was a harbinger of decreasing performance. Unleaded fuel became mandatory, and new cars were required to be built with emission control devices that rolled back engine performance by several years. Even the mightiest muscle cars felt the pain by slowing down a little. New engine designs eventually solved earlier problems, allowing new models to turn in better statistics.

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.

Because most records are ultimately broken, the best times will inch even lower. Those who primarily drive out of necessity should be aware that a good rating indicates a high level of performance. It can be especially helpful when a rapid response is needed to avoid a mishap. Having confidence that a particular vehicle can deftly maneuver when required is important when safety is a primary concern.

Accords fit that description. New models manufactured by this Japanese corporation post figures between 5.5 to 7.6 seconds. Older models can be slower, adding as much as eight seconds to the current model times. This is less speed than some top-performers, but most operators find the acceleration quite satisfactory. Solid engine design coupled with high-quality production standards offset any shortcomings.

While carefully measured, figures do vary. Poor quality road surfaces can reduce performance, and standard tires can lose their grip. Trunk cargo and passengers add weight, which can also slow acceleration. Weather conditions are also a factor. The best way to determine if acceleration meets personal requirements is a test drive on a variety of roads in different types of traffic.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment