What is the fastest possible speed for a car? It’s difficult to answer this question because there are so many limitations that cars face at high speeds.
For example, the air resistance increases exponentially as an object moves faster through it. Also, the manufacturers put some speed caps to adhere to various regulations.
Let’s explore what the fastest possible speed could be and look at some of the limitations that cars face as they approach these high speeds.
Some people think that there are no limits to how fast a car can go, but in reality, there are many factors that make it impossible to surpass certain speeds without causing damage to your vehicle or yourself.
Contents
- Fastest Possible Speed For A Car: How Fast a Car Can Go?
- Which Factors Impede a Car’s Top Speed?
- FAQs on The Fastest Possible Speed For A Car
- Is there a theoretical speed limit for cars on Earth?
- What actually stops a car from going faster, engine power or air drag?
- Why do record-breaking cars like the ThrustSSC or Bloodhound LSR use jet engines instead of wheels for propulsion?
- Is there a difference between “fastest production car” and “fastest car ever”?
- Conclusion
Fastest Possible Speed For A Car: How Fast a Car Can Go?
In the early days of motoring, cars were limited by how fast their drivers could safely drive them. Stanley Steamer cranked up 127.6 mph in his steam-powered Wogglebug in 1906, proving that high speeds were certainly possible.
Today’s cars are still limited by the same basic principles that affect us all – such as air resistance and gravity. However, modern technology has made it much easier for people to drive at faster speeds than ever before.
The average top speed of modern cars is approximately 120 mph. The faster ones can crank up to 200 mph but there is a limit to the maximum speed.
Carmakers design the vehicles in a way so the engine computer puts a cap on the highest speed.
The SuperSonic car (SSC) from the Bloodhound Project has reached the max speed of 1,050 mph. However, the fastest commercially available car in the world is SSC Tuatara.
It can reach the maximum speed of 331 mph, but it’s still unproven because the manufacturer SSC could not provide any conclusive evidence of that speed.
Considering this, Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ can definitely hit a top speed of 304 mph.
Which Factors Impede a Car’s Top Speed?
There are some obstructing factors that create drag with the increase of speed. At some point, the engine power falls short in pushing through those resisting phenomena.
Some factors that limit how fast a car can go are.
Tire Grip Loss
At high speeds, traction force starts dropping and tires start losing contact with the road surface. There’s also less oxygen available for burning fuel in an engine, so combustion becomes far less efficient.
Air Resistance
Even though it’s invisible, air resistance becomes more of a factor as an object moves faster through it. This is called drag force, which increases exponentially the faster you go.
When driving at higher speeds, this makes driving very difficult and even reduces tire grip further. At one point, even the most powerful engine will fail to break the air resistance.
SEE MORE: A List of the Fastest Accelerating Car Models
Electronic Speed Limit
To protect drivers and other motorists, some sports cars are now fitted with electronic limiting devices, which cap the car’s top speed to a lower level.
This is government regulation in some countries. For example, the cap is 112 mph in Japan and 155 mph in European countries.
Gearing Limitation
Many cars cannot crank up top speeds because of low gearing. This technical limitation makes the engine hit the redline before reaching the maximum speed.
The cars that have high gearing cannot overcome the air resistance after a certain speed.
FAQs on The Fastest Possible Speed For A Car
Is there a theoretical speed limit for cars on Earth?
Yes. Air resistance becomes so extreme past ~1,000 mph (1,600 km/h) that no tire-based vehicle can survive without disintegrating or lifting off the ground.
What actually stops a car from going faster, engine power or air drag?
Air drag, almost always. The power required to overcome aerodynamic drag increases exponentially with speed.
Why do record-breaking cars like the ThrustSSC or Bloodhound LSR use jet engines instead of wheels for propulsion?
Because at supersonic speeds, traditional tires can’t handle the heat or centrifugal forces, they’d literally explode.
Is there a difference between “fastest production car” and “fastest car ever”?
Yes. Production car means road-legal and mass-produced, while speed records (like ThrustSSC) use experimental jet-powered designs.
Conclusion
So now you know the fastest possible speed for a car. Remmember that car speed will always have some limitations because it involves the safety of human lives.
The only safer way to enjoy speed driving is joining the race circuits or doing drag racing.
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