There are a broad range of metrics that denote the relative capabilities of various vehicles. Most of them apply to all vehicles while others are type-specific.

Measurement
Imperial unit
Metric unit
Affects
General preference
Notes

0 to 60 mph
seconds
seconds
acceleration
lower is better

0 to 100 to 0 mph
seconds
seconds
acceleration & braking
lower is better
formerly common in British publications

Braking distance
feet
meters
safety
shorter is better

Brake specific fuel consumption
 ?
g/kWh
economics
lower is better

Drag coefficient
(ratio)
(ratio)
economics, top speed
lower is better

Fuel economy
mpg
L/100 km
economics
greater is better (mpg), lower is better (L/100 km)
must be specified on new vehicles for sale in the US

Ground pressure
psi
Pascal
traction
lower is better in soft ground, reduces bogging
has greater impact on off-road vehicles

Lift to drag ratio
 ?
 ?
economics
higher is better
improved by narrow, long wings

Power-to-weight ratio
hp/lb
W/kg
acceleration
higher is better

Roll center
 ?
 ?
handling
lower is better

Rolling friction
 ?
 ?
economics
lower is better
improved by narrow, high pressure tires

Specific fuel consumption (thrust)
lb/lbf h
kg/kgf h or g/(kN·s)
economics
lower is better (for any given speed)
in airbreathing jet engines it is improved by using more inert air for propulsion (i.e. lower exhaust velocity), in rockets, higher exhaust velocity

Specific fuel consumption (shaft engine)
lb/hp h
kg/kW h
economics
lower is better
for shaft engines less fuel use for a given output power means higher efficiency

specific impulse
seconds
seconds or kN s/kg
economics
higher is typically better
in airbreathing jet engines it is improved by using more inert air for propulsion (i.e. lower exhaust velocity), in rockets, higher exhaust velocity

Top speed
mph
km/h
Maximum rate of straight line travel
higher is better
Electronically limited in some cars for safety (mostly due to concerns of high speed tire failure)

Weight
lb
kg
acceleration, braking distance
lower is better

Weight distribution
 %
 %
handling, acceleration, traction
close to 50:50 is commonly considered better

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Categories: Technology stubs | Vehicles | Metrics


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