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2025-04-08 · 7 min read

How to Read a Car's Spec Sheet (and Spot the Lies)

0-60 times, top speed, horsepower — manufacturers don't always tell the whole truth. Here's what to actually look for.

Every spec sheet is a marketing document. Manufacturers pick the numbers that make them look good, omit the ones that don't, and use clever testing conditions to inflate the rest.

0-60: what's the asterisk?

Watch for "with 1-foot rollout." This is a drag-strip convention that effectively gives you a free 0.3 seconds of head start. A 2.5-second 0-60 with rollout is a 2.8-second 0-60 without. Most car magazines now publish *both*.

Horsepower at the crank vs at the wheels

Manufacturer hp is at the crank. By the time it reaches the road, you've lost 10-20% to the drivetrain. A "700 hp" car might put down 580 wheel hp.

Top speed: limited or true?

Many German cars are "limited to 250 km/h" — they would go faster if uncapped. Others publish a true top speed but only achievable on a salt flat with a tailwind. Always check the source.

Compare any two cars side by side →