2007-07-10 08:17:08 · 4 answers · asked by faron_jns 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Chevrolet
The top speed of a car depends, in general, on two things:
1. The car's peak horsepower.
2. The car's drag coefficient.
If the car is geared properly, it will reach its top speed when the engine is in its peak power band, and the transmission is in its highest gear.
A rough estimation can be gleaned from the following equation which describes the power dissipated by aerodynamic drag:
P = 1/2 * rho * Cd * A * v^3
where P is the power dissipated, rho is the air density, Cd is the drag coefficient, A is the frontal surface area of the car, and v is the car's velocity.
The 2007 Cobalt has a peak output of 173 horsepower, or 129 kilowatts. If we assume a typical Cd * A factor of 7.34 for a small passenger car, we solve the equation for v, getting:
v = 66.4 meters per second
or
v = 149 mph
However, because aerodynamic drag is not the only effect trying to slow down the car, the car's actual top speed will be more like 135-140 mph on a long, flat road.
2007-07-10 08:30:16 · answer #1 · answered by lithiumdeuteride 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
One Million Mile you just have to keep fixing it when it breaks down
2007-07-10 19:18:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
more than likely it has a fuel cut off at around 100 MPH.
2007-07-10 15:20:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Test drive one.
2007-07-10 16:41:47 · answer #4 · answered by gordon 24 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋