3 ms·

Almost no manufacturers do it - historically, BMW and MB have been "caught" doing this, with 335i and C-class AMG engines. A commonly accepted explanation for

Almost no manufacturers do it - historically, BMW and MB have been "caught" doing this, with 335i and C-class AMG engines. A commonly accepted explanation for this is that the "cheaper" model is made to appear less powerful on paper to entire a buyer to upgrade to next model up (i.e. M3). Relevant tests from 2010 ~ when this meme started: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1009_bmw_335i_335is_dyno_test/%20-%20/ http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1009_bmw_335i_33... In reality, almost all cars "produce" far less ponies at the wheels than stated on spec sheets because HP is "[S]ampled [A]t [E]ngine" - so by time it reaches your wheels, about 20-30% are lost to drive train. Edit: formatting

matthewmcg 11y ago
You're correct, but one minor point: SAE is actually an abbreviation for "Society of Automotive Engineers," a standards and certifying body. The difference you are describing is between "gross" horsepower (SAE J1995 spec.), essentially horsepower measured at an unloaded crankshaft and "net" horsepower (SAE 1349 spec.) or the horsepower measured at the wheels.[1] The difference is due to drivetrain losses and power used to drive non-engine components. [1] See http://www.edmunds.com/car-technology/horsepower-gross-vs-real-world.html http://www.edmunds.com/car-technology/horsepower-gross-vs-re...