FREE TOOL · TOP SPEED PHYSICS
Aerodynamic drag power
Drag scales with velocity cubed. Doubling speed = 8× the power required. This is why a Bugatti needs 1500 HP for 480 km/h while 700 HP gets you to 400.
Drag reference
| Vehicle | Top speed | Crank HP needed |
|---|---|---|
| VW Golf GTI (Cd 0.30, 2.2 m²) | 250 km/h | ~245 HP |
| Porsche 911 GT3 (0.34, 2.0 m²) | 320 km/h | ~500 HP |
| Bugatti Chiron (0.38, 2.07 m²) | 420 km/h | ~1500 HP |
| SSC Tuatara (0.279, 1.85 m²) | 500 km/h | ~1750 HP |