The Quest to 300 MPH

Ive always wondered why cars have never achieved 300 miles per hour. It would be a major feat to the company that made it and would bring them major popularity. I though all you had to do was add “a little bit” of horsepower, but that isnt quite right.

At high speeds, wind resistance becomes a massive factor. If you double your speed, the drag force quadruples and the power you need octuples. For example, a 100hp car may be able to do 120mph but a 1000hp car will “only” get to 240mph. So to reach 300mph, it would probably take around 2000 horsepower depending on the car’s drag coefficient and frontal area.

Such a big engine will require lots of air for cooling, and these air vents increase drag. Which means you need a bigger engine. The vicious circle goes on.

Tires are also a problem. Manufacturers like Bugatti and Koenigsegg have to get special made tires that can withstand these high speeds. They can cost tens of thousands each. Bugatti even limit their cars speeds electronically to prevent tire damage - the 268mph record in the Veyron Super Sport was with the limiter removed.

In short, while it’s easy to hit 300mph in a modified drag, manufacturers need to make a car that’s viable to use everywhere and safe. Bugatti want customers to be able to reach high speeds with almost no effort,and to be able to do it in comfort. Koenigsegg’s main goals are acceleration and track performance - top speed is just a secondary objective, even though there cars come close to the Veyrons record.