Consider a vehicle with the following specifications:

Front engine, inline 6 cylinder Length: 4488 mm (176.7 in)

Width: 1757 mm (69.2 in)

Height: 1369 mm (53.9 in)

Weight: 1505 kg (3318 lb)

Wheelbase: 2725 mm (107.3 in)

Weight distribution: (%f/r): 50/50 Centre of mass height: 0.5 m above the ground.

Max power: 225 bhp (168 kW), 5900 rpm Max torque: 214 lb-ft (291 Nm), 3500 rpm Gear ratios: 4.21:1, 2.49:1, 1.66:1, 1.24:1, 1.00:1 Final Drive: 2.93:1 Redline: 6500 rpm Tires: 205/50R-17 Drag coefficient: 0.31 Frontal area: 2.2 m2 Assume a coefficient of friction of ???? = 0.8, and that the rolling resistance loads can be modelled as shown in Figure 3.5.

a) Find the vehicle speed in third, fourth, and fifth gears, when the engine is at redline. Make appropriate assumptions for the efficiency and tire slip. Do you expect the car to reach redline in each of these three gears?

If not, what speeds do you expect? You should give evidence for up your expected values with a calculation, but some small approximation error is acceptable.

b) What is the maximum low speed acceleration? What is the limiting factor?

c) What is the maximum grade that the car can negotiate in second gear?

What is the limiting factor?

d) At what speed will the engine be running after the driver shifts from first to second at redline? What about from from third to fourth, (also at redline)? Comment on the significance of the difference.