Litres consumed per 100 kilometres; lower is better. Standard metric efficiency unit.

Energy lost deforming tires as they roll. Low-pressure or wide tires raise it.

Automotive Calculators

Performance Comparison Calculator

2026-09-27 6 min

0-60 gap, trap-speed gap and percent improvement between two cars.

0-60 Gap (A-B): 1.50 s; positive = B quicker
Trap Gap (B-A): 10.0 mph
0-60 Improvement: 23.1 %

Calculator

0-60 — Car A(s)

0-60 — Car B(s)

Trap Speed — A(mph)

mph

Trap Speed — B(mph)

mph

Results update live as you type

Live statistics

0-60 Gap (A-B)

1.50 s

positive = B quicker

Trap Gap (B-A)

10.0 mph

0-60 Improvement

23.1 %

Results

Optimal

0-60 Gap (A-B)

1.50s

positive = B quicker

Trap Gap (B-A)

10.0mph

0-60 Improvement

23.1%

Planning estimate from standard automotive formulas. Validate with dyno, timeslip or datalog data when precision matters.

Visualizations

Results overview

1.50-60 Gap

10Trap Gap

23.10-60 Improvement

0-60 Gap (A-B) vs. 0-60 — Car A

0-60 Gap (A-B)

1.5s

Formula

Turns two timeslips into gaps that read like a race result.

Gap60 = A - B; trap gap = B - A; improvement% = gap60/A x 100

Alternative Form

Trap speed reflects power; 0-60 adds grip and launch

Variables

Symbol	Name	Unit	Description
G60	0-60 gap	s	Seconds B leads to 60
GT	Trap gap	mph	MPH B leads at the stripe

Explanation

0-60 rewards launch and grip while trap rewards power — together they profile both cars.

Step-by-Step Calculation

Follow each step to understand how the result is calculated from your inputs.

Step 1

Record the inputs.

0-60 — Car A:6.5 s

0-60 — Car B:5.0 s

Trap Speed — A:95 mph

Trap Speed — B:105 mph

Result: 4 inputs ready

Step 2

Apply the formula.

Gap60 = A - B; trap gap = B - A; improvement% = gap60/A x 100

Result: Primary result = 1.50 s

Step 3

Read every derived output.

0-60 Gap (A-B):1.50 s

Trap Gap (B-A):10.0 mph

0-60 Improvement:23.1 %

Result: 0-60 Gap (A-B) = 1.50 s

Final Answer

1.50

Worked Examples

See how the calculator works with different scenarios.

Scenario

Sport sedan versus coupe showdown.

Inputs

A:6.5 s, 95 mph

B:5.0 s, 105 mph

Calculation

Gap 1.5 s; trap +10 mph; 23.1% quicker

Result

B by 1.5 s and 10 mph.

Interpretation

Clear B win on launch and power both.

Understanding Your Result

Your Result: 0-60 Gap (A-B): 1.50 s

Typical range: 0.3 s is close; 1+ s is decisive.

What This Means

Measured performance gap in launch and top-end.

Why It Matters

Separates grip-limited 0-60 from power-led trap speed.

Professional Interpretation

Treat the primary result as a planning estimate, then validate on a dyno, at the track, or with logged sensor data. If measured numbers disagree by more than ~10%, re-check inputs (units are the usual culprit) before changing parts.

Recommendations

•Double-check units on every input before trusting the result
•Compare against the worked example below to sanity-check magnitude
•Validate with measured data (dyno, timeslip, datalog) when it matters

Learn — fuel economy, deeply

Performance comparison reads two timeslips as one gap.

1 · Where the gallon goes (energy path)

Engine heat

60–70% lost

Coolant + exhaust carry most energy away. Hybrids recover some via Atkinson cycle + regen.

Driveline

5–15% lost

Transmission, differential, accessories. CVTs and 8–10 speed autos lose less.

Aero drag

∝ v²

Doubles from 55→78 mph. Roof boxes hurt more than trunks.

Rolling + brakes

10–20%

Tires, weight, stops. Regen braking (hybrid/EV) reclaims city braking energy.

4 · Measure like a pro (the 3-tank protocol)

Fill to first click at the same pump, record the odometer (Tank 0).
Drive normally for 2–3 tanks; always refill to first click at the same pump.
MPG = total miles ÷ total gallons across all tanks — averaging kills pump-click noise.
Cross-check with the trip computer; a persistent >10% gap means the computer needs calibration — or the car needs service.
Log with an OBD-II dongle for per-trip MPG if you want to isolate commute vs. highway behavior.

Practical Tips

•Compare same-surface, same-day runs
•Trap speed is the cleaner power signal
•Average multiple passes

Common Mistakes

Mixing units (inches with mm, psi with kPa)

Convert every input to the unit shown on its field before calculating.

Trusting a single output blindly

Cross-check with the worked example and, when it matters, a dyno or datalog.

Assumptions

This calculator makes the following assumptions to provide estimates:

Steady-state model: Formulas assume stabilized conditions; transients, heat soak and traction limits are excluded.

Standard factors: Empirical constants (BSFC, VE, drivetrain loss) use typical values — your combination may differ.

Limitations

Be aware of these limitations when using this calculator:

Estimate, not measurement: Predictions carry real-world scatter of roughly ±5–15% depending on the model.

No transient effects: Shift time, wheelspin, spool lag and heat soak are not modeled here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about this calculator.

Which matters more, 0-60 or trap?

0-60 includes launch skill and grip; trap speed isolates power. Use both for a full picture.

Can I compare magazine times?

Roughly — but rollout, surface and weather differ. Same-day testing is far better.

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Related Guides

Deepen your understanding with these educational resources.

Automotive Guides

Build planning, measurement protocol and validation how-tos

Glossary

Technical terms used in mortgage calculations explained in plain language.

MPG: Miles per gallon. Distance travelled per gallon of fuel; higher is better. US gallon = 3.785 L.
L/100 km: Litres consumed per 100 kilometres; lower is better. Standard metric efficiency unit.
MPGe: Miles per gallon-equivalent. EV metric: miles travelled on 33.7 kWh (energy of 1 gal of gasoline).
CAFE: Corporate Average Fuel Economy — US fleet-average efficiency standard enforced by NHTSA.
Rolling resistance: Energy lost deforming tires as they roll. Low-pressure or wide tires raise it.
Aerodynamic drag: Air resistance growing with the square of speed — why highway MPG falls fast above 60 mph.
Hypermiling: Driving techniques (coasting, steady speed, anticipation) that maximise real-world MPG.
OBD-II: On-board diagnostics port. Scanners and dongles read live MPG, fuel trim and fault codes.

Authoritative References

Trusted sources and standards referenced by this calculator.

EPA — FuelEconomy.gov DOE — Fuel-Efficient Driving Tips NHTSA — Driving Safety & Efficiency SAE International — Fuel Economy Standards Consumer Reports — MPG Truth IRS — Standard Mileage Rates

Applicable Standards

EPA Fuel Economy Testing (40 CFR Part 600)CAFE — Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards (NHTSA)WLTP — Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test ProcedureSAE J1321 / J1711 — Fuel consumption test proceduresISO 2575 — Road vehicles symbols & efficiency markings

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Last Updated:

2026-09-27

Version:

2.0.0

References:

License:

Free to use for educational and professional purposes.