Our Picks for the 6 Cars with the Best Power to Weight Ratio
We could spend all day going over the mathematics of vehicle performance. Driving geeks know that calculating the potential speed of a vehicle alone is a complicated equation involving a multitude of factors. But we don’t have all day to talk design aerodynamics, suspension quality, what kind of roads you’re driving on, etc., etc. So we’ll keep it simple.
What makes a car fast? A high power-to-weight ratio. This means that for how heavy your vehicle is, it has a lot of engine “oomph” behind it to get it up to thrilling speeds. Racers like Formula 1 track cars are designed to have a maximum power to weight ratio, and on a lap can get up to 164.266 miles an hour because of their light build and immense horsepower.
Sounds fun, right? Lucky for you, you don’t have to be a Formula 1 driver to experience that kind of excitement. In this article, we’ve put together a list of cars with the best power to weight ratio that are on the market right now.
Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 Coupe - from $47,200
The 2021 AMG is a formidable vehicle, with a 0 to 60 acceleration speed of 3.8 seconds. It’s 4 liter biturbo V8 engine produces 469 horsepower above 5,000 rpms, giving the 3,987-lb car a power-to-weight ratio of 8.5 (to calculate P-W ratio, divide the weight of your vehicle in pounds by its horsepower.)
The C63 was clearly built to thrill – although for your safety as well as those around you, top speed is limited to 155, and 180 in the sport model. You can even keep tabs on your race times and stats with the AMG Track Pace option.
Despite its inclination towards athletic performance, the C63 wants its passengers to be comfortable. Leather seats come standard with the S, and all models have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a Burmester sound system for an audio experience that’s as exciting as driving the car itself.
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Tesla Roadster - from $200,000
Gone is the stereotype of the slow, timid electric vehicle. Tesla did away with that notion a long time ago, and replaced it with a record-braking electric vehicle now better known as the fastest consumer car in the world.
Reaching speeds of 250+ miles an hour, the Roadster can do 0 to 60 MPH in under 2 seconds, and has a wheel torque of 10,000 nm. This brand-new Tesla is expected to be released sometime this year, and up to 1000 customers can reserve theirs today.
And this standard-setting sports car is surprisingly practical, as well. Far from being a weekend-toy-only vehicle, the Roadster comes complete with 4 roomy seats and enough space in the trunk for groceries. Not to mention it gets extraordinary “fuel” economy, and only needs to be recharged every 620 miles.
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - from $85,000
Another vehicle on our list of cars with the best power to weight ratio that has yet to be released. (We promise there are more than a few you can buy right away.) If you just can’t hold your breath that long, the 2019 model is equally impressive, and can put a smile on your face as soon as tomorrow.
At a maximum 3,582 lbs and with an engine producing 650 horsepower, this punchy American racer has a power to weight ratio of 5.5 lb/hp, making it our most powerful pick so far.
And there’s no disguising the Z06 as anything but a track-ready speedster. The two seater Corvette announces your arrival with an engine noise that reviewers have compared to the roar of a Ferrari. But in case you want to pick your own soundtrack, the car does come standard with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration.
THE BEST USED LUXURY CARS ON THE MARKET
Buying a used or CPO luxury car is one of the smartest buys you can make - you can get a lot of car for not much money. You can pick up a three-year-old luxury car for about half of what you’d pay new. Check out this list of the best used luxury cars on the market to find the best deals.
Aston Martin Valkyrie - from $3,000,000
We realize that you probably don’t have three million dollars just lying around the house. When curating our top 6 cars with the best power to weight ratio we did our best to include vehicles that at least kept to a 6-digit price tag. But we had to include at least one supercar, and this behemoth is the one we chose.
The Valkyrie is a stand-out for many reasons. One of those is that it has transcended the genre of supercar – Aston Martin calls the Valkyrie a “hypercar”, owing to its exquisite, out-of-this-world design and “outlandish” speed and performance.
The other reason, and why it’s on this list, is that this Aston Martin has a power-to-weight ratio of 1. That means that there is 1 horse for every pound of weight in this incredible car.
And one other amazing thing about this already jaw-dropping vehicle: it’s a hybrid! An electric motor works during take-off acceleration to give the mighty V12 a little extra oomph. That price tag may be staggering, but you will certainly get your money’s worth.
Mazda Miata - $26,580
And landing back on Earth, we find ourselves greeted by the small but powerful (and much, much more affordable) Mazda Miata. Far from an exclusive supercar that only the wealthy can dream of owning, the plucky little vehicle is the “best-selling two-seater sports car of all time,” with over one million sales since it first hit the market.
Creature comforts are minimal in this no-nonsense vehicle, but it makes up for it with excellent handling that makes you want to focus on driving. Plus it’s a speedy little thing, and has a power to weight ratio of 12.9. And if you’re using the Miata as a daily driver, you can enjoy infrequent trips to the pump, as this Mazda gets around 35 MPG.
THE BEST USED SUVS UNDER $10,000
We looked into price, reliability, features, and more to create this list of the best used SUVs under $10k on the market today. Take a look - some of the best used SUVs have gone mostly overlooked or forgotten.
Nissan 370Z Nismo - from $45,790
One more affordable but “exhilarating” vehicle: the Nismo. This strong-but-sensible sports car strikes an excellent balance between luxury, athleticism, and everyday comfort and safety. This car is powerful and fun to drive, reaching 60 MPH from stand-still in just 2.7 seconds, and featuring a power-to-weight ratio of 9.2.
And the Nismo was built for the everyday driver as much as the wannabe racer. Infotainment features like bluetooth and USB compatibility let you connect your device for easy navigation and music. A Bose audio system lets you rock out to your ideal soundtrack while you drive. A standard leather interior keeps you comfy whether on a road trip or your daily commute. And advanced safety features like Vehicle Dynamic Control keep you and your passengers healthy and safe.
Get a curated list of the best used cars near you
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