acceleration question

HI folks,
I've been looking up stats on the V6 & I notice that the old VN can accelerate to 110 kays in about 8.1, but I ma wondering why when I look at some later models - VT, VX they are slower. Did they change ratios in order to gain other benefits or are the later ones heavier. Just curious - Paul H

Essentially more weight. but the newer engines have more power and are more refined.

paul hardy wrote:

HI folks,
I've been looking up stats on the V6 & I notice that the old VN can accelerate to 110 kays in about 8.1, but I ma wondering why when I look at some later models - VT, VX they are slower. Did they change ratios in order to gain other benefits or are the later ones heavier. Just curious - Paul H

Hi Paul, the reasoning for the increase as Tom stated is in weight buddy....

The VN's Buick 3800 V6 packed 125 kws with the sedans weighing 1,311 kgs and wagons weighing 1,492 kgs.

The VT's Ecotec V6 packed 147 kws, with the sedan weighing 1,551 and the wagons weighing 1,702 kgs.

so between the two models you are only looking at an increase in the V6 Engines of 22 kws,

but a 240 kg difference between the VN and the VT sedans, and a 210 kg difference between the wagons......

Hope this helps ....Andy

Thanks guys for the reply - I am aware that the motors in later models are more refined, My eldest son bought a early VN model & the engine was quite "buzzy" when revved out. My youngest son has VX & it is considerably smoother. I wonder how they achieved this.
The weight power ratio you have described makes sense but where did the weight come from? Generally cars seem to have become heavier these days while technology improves economy.
Cheers - Paul

More wiring, more sound deadening, more safety features, bigger brakes, bigger seats etc etc the list goes on. Thats where your weight comes from.

It's the old power to weight ratio. For example my 5 litre VS wagon would have to be around 180kw at the fly wheel (CAI/K&N Filter + headers) and weighs in at 1545 kgs (including polish and wax lol). It would have a better power to weight ratio than the latter VT 5 litre 185 kw decal'd on boot lid SS sedan which is HEAVIER than the wagon at 1722 kgs .

Thanks guys - That's answered my question really well

glad we could help Paul =)

I don't know if this matters but the VN V6 as light as it is also took of quicker due to motor having plenty of bottom end power were as the VT / VX V6 engines were built with top end power for over taking. The VT / VX will out accelerate a VN from a speed 80 khm or higher, I proved this when I put my old series II VT which was 50kg lighter than the first series VT, up against my old VN. The VN took of from the lights quicker than the VT but at a speed of 80khm and 100khm the VT kicked down a gear and took off were as the VN took longer to kick down a gear. VN ODO at time of this was 225,000 were as the VT ODO 130,000. But the VN was more fun in the hills as it would hold second gear longer in a climb thus picking up more speed were as the VT didn't hold second gear as long making it harder to keep up with the VN. These were things I noticed going from owning a VN for 9 years to VT. I have also put my old VN V6 odo 389,000 up against my VZ V6 odo 60,000 and it is the result as the VN vs VT and when you pit a VX V6 up against the VZ V6 the VX takes off quicker and accelerates about 2 second faster in over taking than the VZ. Both the VX and VZ weight the same but the VZ has a smaller 6. A little of the topic. If your looking for fast acceleration of the lights and though the hills go the VN if ya looking for good over taking or the amazement of a V6 still kicking back to second gear at a high rate of speed when ya stick the boot into it go the VT lol. Hope this helps

Yes it certainly does help thanks. When I move to Perth in a couple of months I think I'll try and get a VX. They seem to be good value for money and I like the look of them. Am I right in saying that the VT & VX look almost the same except for a slight change in the tail lights. Here in Melbourne the VT prices have dropped quite a bit.
Cheers - Paul

paul hardy wrote:

Yes it certainly does help thanks. When I move to Perth in a couple of months I think I'll try and get a VX. They seem to be good value for money and I like the look of them. Am I right in saying that the VT & VX look almost the same except for a slight change in the tail lights. Here in Melbourne the VT prices have dropped quite a bit.
Cheers - Paul

Hi Paul,
the VT's and VX's have different headlights also buddy...the VT headlight is fairly flat across the bottom of the light where the VX has a small "Teardrop" as circled in the picture below...cheers Andy

Thanks Andy - I can see the difference clearly now.