SRX vs Volvo V60 T5 AWD
Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2016 3:08 pm
Yeah, this happened.
I got off I-395N at my usual exit. It comes to a light with two lanes. Both lanes can go straight, and often do, to connect with Rt 165E (which is a right turn 1/4 to 1/2 mile down, at another light). Plenty of times in the past, I will get off the highway, pull up in the left lane, and mash on it to beat whatever slow traffic is on the right.
This time, I got off and had the right lane clear, so I just stayed in that lane. The light lasts probably 90 seconds, and I do the usual sizing up of the car next to me, just in case he should decide to pull my move on me. It was some late model Volvo wagon. I'm thinking...maybe, but probably not. I click the shifter over to sport mode just in case.
Well the light turns green, and I take off a little firmer than usual just to try getting in front so I have the edge in case they should try something funny. Well, so did he. I gradually roll on the throttle, as does he. At some point probably 3 or 4 seconds into it, I just put it right to WOT, because he appears to be doing the same. I think I got up to at least 80, and he was right next to me, hopefully stewing because this silver crossover with 20s had totally ruined his planned maneuver. He had to give up and slink in behind me.
Let me make a slight digression: this is why 0-60 doesn't matter that much. 0-60 tells you what the car can do at its limit of torque or traction (whichever is lower). But neither of us left the line under either condition. It was more like a 20-80 race. And the single best predictor of 20-80 performance is the 1/4 mile trap speed. I am quite confident I would have left ahead and stayed ahead if I left at WOT. Moving along...
He followed me all the way down 165 and eventually passed when we both turned left on Rt 3. At that point I noticed that it was a late model V60 T5 AWD, and had a couple in the front, with a kid in the rear middle (same as me). We were additionally freighted with a bunch of crap (suitcases, a table and 4 chairs for Ian's birthday party, bags of food and other stuff, etc.). Oh yeah, and he had Georgia plates.
This is exactly why it matters what Jamie drives, because I was driving it this weekend and it's pretty satisfying to be able to fend off a late model Volvo with sporting aspirations. I am awarding bonus points to myself because Ian was napping before, during and after this impromptu race.
I got off I-395N at my usual exit. It comes to a light with two lanes. Both lanes can go straight, and often do, to connect with Rt 165E (which is a right turn 1/4 to 1/2 mile down, at another light). Plenty of times in the past, I will get off the highway, pull up in the left lane, and mash on it to beat whatever slow traffic is on the right.
This time, I got off and had the right lane clear, so I just stayed in that lane. The light lasts probably 90 seconds, and I do the usual sizing up of the car next to me, just in case he should decide to pull my move on me. It was some late model Volvo wagon. I'm thinking...maybe, but probably not. I click the shifter over to sport mode just in case.
Well the light turns green, and I take off a little firmer than usual just to try getting in front so I have the edge in case they should try something funny. Well, so did he. I gradually roll on the throttle, as does he. At some point probably 3 or 4 seconds into it, I just put it right to WOT, because he appears to be doing the same. I think I got up to at least 80, and he was right next to me, hopefully stewing because this silver crossover with 20s had totally ruined his planned maneuver. He had to give up and slink in behind me.
Let me make a slight digression: this is why 0-60 doesn't matter that much. 0-60 tells you what the car can do at its limit of torque or traction (whichever is lower). But neither of us left the line under either condition. It was more like a 20-80 race. And the single best predictor of 20-80 performance is the 1/4 mile trap speed. I am quite confident I would have left ahead and stayed ahead if I left at WOT. Moving along...
He followed me all the way down 165 and eventually passed when we both turned left on Rt 3. At that point I noticed that it was a late model V60 T5 AWD, and had a couple in the front, with a kid in the rear middle (same as me). We were additionally freighted with a bunch of crap (suitcases, a table and 4 chairs for Ian's birthday party, bags of food and other stuff, etc.). Oh yeah, and he had Georgia plates.
This is exactly why it matters what Jamie drives, because I was driving it this weekend and it's pretty satisfying to be able to fend off a late model Volvo with sporting aspirations. I am awarding bonus points to myself because Ian was napping before, during and after this impromptu race.