I was driving on Topanga Canyon (at Roscoe) at 1 a.m., and a new Dodge Charger R/T pulled up next to me at the light. I figured I would get burned, but much to my surprise, he never pulled ahead of me. After 60 I even began to pull on him before I laid off. I was shocked. So either the C is faster, or the guy couldn't drive...

Mike

 

well, lets see:

C230 SS, 2006:

Curb Weight:
3405
HP:
201

P/W Ratio:16.9:1


Dodge Charger R/T, 2006

Curb Weight:
4031
HP:
340
P/W Ratio: 11.8:1
you sure it was the R/T? maybe just a sticker kit wanna-be R/T?

cause a v6 charger comes in a 250HP and brings you to 16.1:1 P/W Ratio.....
as it seems, the guy in the R/T should have been able to fall asleep at the wheel and still win.

 

I thought the same thing, but when we took off at the light, he spun the tires a little. He was obviously going at it...

Could have been a sticker, but it looked legit. It had 22s and a very nice exhaust.

 

hm. who knows. doesnt make much sense. but not a lot of people can drive well. who knows.

 

If the R/T is the V6 model, then you should have absolutely no problems blowing its doors off...

The C is faster, I've had the same thing happen to me on the 110 and the guy had this bewildered look on his face each time he tried to line up with me (we did like 3 "pulls). Oh and this was obviously on the 110 in a video game.

 

Dodge Charge R/T RWD:

weight = 4031 lbs
standard hp = 335 hp

Weight:Power = 12.03:1

Overall Width = 58.2 inches = 4.85 ft
Overall Height = 74.5 inches = 6.21 ft

Overall Frontal Area = 30.1 ft^2

Coefficient of Drag = 0.33

--------------------------------------

Mercedes c230 SS

weight = 3450 lbs
standard hp = 201 hp

Weight:Power = 17.16:1

Overall Width = 55.6 inches = 4.63 ft
Overall Height = 68.0 inches = 5.67 ft

Overall Frontal Area = 26.3 ft^2

Coefficient of Drag = 0.27

---------------------------------------

Given: Force of drag = 1/2(density)(velocity^2)(coefficient of drag)(area)

With density of fluid (air) and velocities held constant, then:

1/2(density)(velocity^2) = constant

and

Force of drag = (constant)(coefficient of drag)(area)

Dodge charger

Force of drag = (constant)(9.94)

Mercedes c230

Force of drag = (constant)(7.09)

---------------------------------------------------

Therefore, the aerodynamics of the mercedes c230 SS makes it 28.7 % more efficient when dealing with the retarding force of drag.

The power to weight ratio may be in the Dodge Charger's favor (12:1 versus 17:1), but I think you kept up with him because of aerodynamics...

and according to this article the dodge charger r/t does 0-60 in 8-9 seconds:

http://www.allpar.com/reviews/2006/charger-review.html

My conclusion is that it was probably an RT

 

Midnight Kompre, I concur with your calculations and conclusion. Good job.


Kompressor85, with regards to your signature picture, how many times do we need to tell you flyboys...."No Jumping on the Bed!"

 

...but......but.....but....

YOUR NOT THE BOSS OF ME!!!

 

thanks man... i figured since the title of this thread dealt with drag, that there should be some basic drag calculations... because thrust/weight ratio's aren't enough