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Power-to-Weight Ratio and Car Acceleration

The relationship between a car's power-to-weight ratio and its perceived acceleration, including factors that influence this perception and how different sources describe this relationship.

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Feb 2, 2026

At what pounds per horsepower ratio does a car start to seem fast to most people

Per the reporting available, enthusiasts and practical calculators point to a rough zone where cars begin to "feel" fast: roughly 20 pounds per horsepower and below tends to be perceived as lively, wh...