Originally posted by Quicksilver:
Low end, WRX... High end, SVT! Ever seen a WRX in action over 100mph? You haven't? That's right, it is somewhere a mile back behind the SVT.
Are you serious? Peak hp for peak hp, we lose.
And turbocharged cars are very strong once spooled up. I think we would have a hard time against a previous gen Saab 9-3 SE (205 hp 2.0L turbo) because it's computer controlled turbo allows for 5-8 seconds of overboost, so it's a really strong 205 peak hp.
I think the Subie would be even stronger.
Don't believe me? Look at one of the old C&D where the SVT was against the Saab 9-3 (185 hp) and A4 1.8T, 323i, VW Jetta VR6.
The SVT barely won the stoplight derby (0-60), but by 100 mph the Saab was quicker and it steamed on to a higher top speed than the SVT at 145 mph. And this from 185 turbocharged horses.
C&D Apr 1999.
0-60: 6.9s (SVT), 7.2 (Saab).
0-100: 19.1s (SVT), 18.4 (Saab).
1/4: 15.4s @ 91 (SVT), 15.5 @ 92 (Saab).
Top speed: 141 (SVT), 145 (Saab).
It's obvious that by the end of the 1/4 mile, the Saab is moving quicker, and that advantage will be held all the way to top speed.
By extension, I can only assume that with the 42 extra hp of the WRX over the Saab, the difference could only be greater, even if the WRX is a tad less aerodynamic.
Kerry
