# New car horsepower question **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [January 26, 2006, 7:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-car-horsepower-question/7327 "2006-01-26T07:47:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 7:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-car-horsepower-question/7327/1 "2006-01-26T07:47:13Z")
300hp from the factory is not such a big deal these days. I grew up in the 1980s and 1990s when Mustangs and Porsches barely had 200-250hp. Now the A4 has about 255hp and just a few years ago the S4 had 255hp! There are several sedans and SUVs that have 450+hp. The Vette and M5 have 500+hp! These numbers were exotic just a few years ago! Obviously we all love to see high hp numbers but my question is… We all know that dyno numbers vary considereably so, is there an industry or ISO standard for auto maker hp? I am not doubting the hp numbers on new cars because they have 1/4 mile numbers to match. I am just curious if a standard exists for auto makers. ---
**Author:** ![jeeves744](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jeeves744/32/7619_2.png) [@jeeves744](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jeeves744)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 7:53am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-car-horsepower-question/7327/2 "2006-01-26T07:53:45Z")
ya im pretty sure there is. Not that long ago they redid how cars hp was rated and like all the import cars lost like 5-10hp and the domestic cars gained a few hp. Like the same car same engine, just different way of rating it. Not sure exactly how they do it though. ---
**Author:** ![walter](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/walter/32/7202_2.png) [@walter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/walter)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 8:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-car-horsepower-question/7327/3 "2006-01-26T08:11:39Z")
There was a big crunch on this and the SAE standards used over the last year or so, it’s the reason last years TL was rated at 270HP, and this years is 254HP or so. Same exact car. Manufacturers are typically allowed a 5% window in their “claimed numbers”. ---
**Author:** ![Xander](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xander/32/7597_2.png) [@Xander](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Xander)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 8:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-car-horsepower-question/7327/4 "2006-01-26T08:59:53Z")
> [@walter](#): > > There was a big crunch on this and the SAE standards used over the last year or so, it’s the reason last years TL was rated at 270HP, and this years is 254HP or so. Same exact car. > > Manufacturers are typically allowed a 5% window in their “claimed numbers”. :wstupid: X… ---
**Author:** ![Freek](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/freek/32/7357_2.png) [@Freek](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Freek)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 10:12am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-car-horsepower-question/7327/5 "2006-01-26T10:12:27Z")
actualy there was a standard in japan for not bulding cars with over 275 HP … it was an unwritten rule that all the (jap) automakers kept so they didn’t compete with each other in HP wars. well with the EVO that was changed it was underrated at 275 not trying to break it but that was the last straw … we’ll see more and more power coming out of the JDM in the future ---
**Author:** ![Zong](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/zong/32/7580_2.png) [@Zong](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Zong)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 10:44am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-car-horsepower-question/7327/6 "2006-01-26T10:44:22Z")
Ironically civilian cars got faster and race cars got slower (referring to all the power caps in WRC and other circuits that weren’t there years ago) ---
**Author:** ![IwannaZ](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/iwannaz/32/7273_2.png) [@IwannaZ](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/IwannaZ)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 10:51am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-car-horsepower-question/7327/7 "2006-01-26T10:51:02Z")
Yea the new si was 210hp by the old standards, but only 197hp or w/e by the new one. ---
**Author:** ![Zer0DazE](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/zer0daze/32/7624_2.png) [@Zer0DazE](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Zer0DazE)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 10:51am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-car-horsepower-question/7327/8 "2006-01-26T10:51:03Z")
the weight of the cars i am sure has a little something to do with this. 250 may have been great in a 2200 lb car, but toss that into to a 3300 lb pig, and you’re fast like rubicant (thats really slow for those of you that arent in the know) ---
**Author:** ![Inn-Tune](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/inn-tune/32/7588_2.png) [@Inn-Tune](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Inn-Tune)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 11:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-car-horsepower-question/7327/9 "2006-01-26T11:40:25Z")
Does anyone know how they changed the ratings? ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 11:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-car-horsepower-question/7327/10 "2006-01-26T11:50:22Z")
> [@Zer0DazE](#): > > the weight of the cars i am sure has a little something to do with this. > > 250 may have been great in a 2200 lb car, but toss that into to a 3300 lb pig, and you’re fast like rubicant (thats really slow for those of you that arent in the know) Have cars really gained 1100# though? The V8 S4 may weigh a little more than the V6tt and the v10 M5 may weigh a little more than the V8 but, 1100#? ---
**Author:** ![Zer0DazE](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/zer0daze/32/7624_2.png) [@Zer0DazE](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Zer0DazE)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 11:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-car-horsepower-question/7327/11 "2006-01-26T11:52:27Z")
in the first post you mentioned 80’s and 90’s. i would say yes, smaller 4 and 6 cylinder cars have put on a bunch of weight since then. ---
**Author:** ![JaysGreenLX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jaysgreenlx/32/7321_2.png) [@JaysGreenLX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JaysGreenLX)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 12:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-car-horsepower-question/7327/12 "2006-01-26T12:01:47Z")
> [@Inn-Tune](#): > > Does anyone know how they changed the ratings? I thoght I read somewhere that in times past, crank HP was measured with the least amount of load possible on the engine. I.E. no accessories or any extra components on the engine that would hurt the power. Now for better real world measurements, they accessories are put on the motor while it is being dyno’d so those losses are now being reflected in the crank HP. ---
**Author:** ![BaD\_AZz\_Z\_28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f04885/32.png) [@BaD\_AZz\_Z\_28](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BaD_AZz_Z_28)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 12:16pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-car-horsepower-question/7327/13 "2006-01-26T12:16:52Z")
There were alot of tricks previously allowed as well. Running a motor with less oil for less windage losses, etc left room for some to fudge their numbers ---
**Author:** ![RuBiCaNT](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rubicant/32/7622_2.png) [@RuBiCaNT](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/RuBiCaNT)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 12:22pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-car-horsepower-question/7327/14 "2006-01-26T12:22:41Z")
They did the reverse with the SRT4 when it was first released. I argued with a friend of mine as to why it was rated lower than the WHP numbers on a dynojet. Most of the reason or opinions that I got was for insurance purposes. It may have bled into a certain HP/weight/class of car bracket that jacked up base insurance at the original claimed numbers which is why it was toned down as far as the spec sheet went. I had no idea there was a revised standard as each company I would think would rate thier cars different than the other. Sort of like tire manufacturers where a 235 is a 225 when you compare section widths, etc… :gotme: ---
**Author:** ![RuBiCaNT](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rubicant/32/7622_2.png) [@RuBiCaNT](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/RuBiCaNT)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 12:23pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-car-horsepower-question/7327/15 "2006-01-26T12:23:43Z")
I may be slow, but your Saab is fucking ugly as sin, Zer0H84gheyz… ---
**Author:** ![walter](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/walter/32/7202_2.png) [@walter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/walter)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 1:54pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-car-horsepower-question/7327/16 "2006-01-26T13:54:01Z")
> **Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Horsepower Change** > The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) revised Standard J1349, which sets forth the protocol for testing horsepower and torque as of the first of this year. One purpose of the change was to try to achieve more consistent ratings throughout the industry. California requires that advertised horsepower claims be determined using the SAE Standard. The revision specifies that certain equipment be installed on the engine and operating at the time of testing, as well as the use of the manufacturer-required grade of fuel during the test. Presumably, all manufacturers will be using the revised Standard for future tests. [http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/051026.htm](http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/051026.htm) [http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0508/17/A01-283759.htm](http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0508/17/A01-283759.htm)