From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Relationship between horsepower, weight, and acceleration, with reference to specific car models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5a\5\ 05-page099 | |
| Date | 15th March 1928 | |
| To Pt. From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} X5771 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn{Mr Robinson}3/LW15.3.28. X5771 With reference to Pt5/PM20.6.28. We attach weights of chassis and power curves as you request. The power given is flywheel HP., the HP. developed at the road wheels is of course 20 to 25% less than this at full throttle due to the tyre and transmission losses. The acceleration of a car at any speed is directly proportional to the HP. developed and to the car weight. Therefore, if the car HP. is increased 33% and simultaneously the weight is increased 33% the acceleration remains unchanged. We attach also typical acceleration curves for a Phantom 'V' series, a 20 HP. and a F.W.B. Silver Ghost. Actually a Phantom car with a heavy closed body will have an acceleration inferior to that of a light Silver Ghost. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} | ||