The limitations on a vehicle’s performance can be attributed to the materials used in its tires and tracks, defined by the frictional coefficient, and the gravitational field, which varies depending on the planet. Notably, the mass of the vehicle does not play a significant role, as increased mass generates more friction but makes acceleration more difficult.
In the context of a constant-friction model, there is consideration of a constant acceleration stemming from the friction between the tires and the road. Assuming a coefficient of friction of 0.7, which is reasonable for a dry road, a velocity versus time plot for a quarter-mile run would show particular outcomes. For comparison, a constant-power curve is included alongside this model, indicating that speed would continually increase at the same acceleration, which seems implausible.
An improved model of acceleration suggests that velocity increases at the lower rate of two given models. Initially, acceleration is constrained by tire-road friction, and subsequently, when a constant power model results in lower acceleration, that method is applied.
For verification, empirical data is required. In lieu of owning a Porsche 911, data from a MotorTrend comparison involving a Tesla Cybertruck and a Porsche 911 Carrera T will be utilized. A plot depicts the actual position of the Porsche over the quarter-mile track, with the vertical axis representing distance, equating a quarter-mile to roughly 400 meters, alongside the combined power-friction model.
