different downforce = faster 0-60??

[NetViper]

" Saleen has made some small but significant modifications to its $430,000 S7 supercar. The low-slung supercar's rear wing and underbody tunnel have been tweaked to improve downforce. That helps lower 0-60 times to less than 3.0 seconds, said company founder and CEO Steve Saleen."

Why would improving downforce made any difference 0-60? Would that make a bigger difference say 0-150?

Also, looks like the price went up 35K!

 

[Sig]

He must have some tangible proof to make the 0-60 claim. However, I too have trouble believing that at such low speeds it makes much of a difference.

Downforce in general is good for safety and high speed track handling. If traction was not a problem going 0-150, then more downforce will slow the car down. Although I remember reading about accleration testing for the S7 and a statment indicating there was traction problems in every gear up to 4th or so. If this was accurate, then the 0-150 time would surely be improved as you suggested.

I love that car, but I do wish Saleen used a more advanced engine. I guess it get's the job done though.

 

[Soichiro]

Downforce is the corollory to drag. They may have "improved the downforce" by keeping it the same while drag was reduced.

Also if wheelspin was a problem over 60mph aero-derived downforce could improve or eliminate this, adding traction with no additional weight and therefore reducing elapsed times.

 

[Tantheman]

WOW, thanks for justifying my purchase of the Taitec Type R Vent hood. I did it for cooling and cosmetic but always great to add reasons to my mod bug/flu.

Tan

 

[Tantheman]

The Southern California Crew are going to be touring the Saleen Factory here in Irvine, CA. Orange County in March.

Tan