Letters to Motor Trend Magazine

America's Most PowerfulI commend you on the article "America's Most Powerful" (Nov. '95). I was thrilled to find that we are still the performance leaders of the world.Kyle Hampton CulbreathCalumet City, Ill.

I loved "America's Most Powerful"-it was similar to your "No Speed Limits" cover story (July '95). Both were action-packed and exhilarating. These interesting articles feature blazing-fast, tire-smoking cars that make enthusiasts drool. I hope you continue to burn rubber in or off some of the world's most exciting cars.Eric LoegelBrooklyn, N.Y.

Nice times on the '96 Viper: 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds and the quarter mile in 13.2 seconds. Whose "masterpiece" of driving was that? I've run 12.6 at 114 mph on a midsummer day, and I've seen other guys running 12.4 stock. Is the new Viper that much slower than '92-95 models?Steve's Auto CareRidgefield Park, N.J.

Looking back to our past tests, we ran a 0-60-mph blast in only 4.5 seconds in 1993. As you know, traction is a big factor in achieving maximum acceleration from a standstill in an ultrahigh-performance car. To serious amounts of wheelspin, add the usual variables of track conditions, weather, barometric pressure, and individual vehicle performance, and there will undoubtedly be some variance in test numbers. Also, remember that not all cars are created equal.-Ed.

It's great to see U.S. cars being recognized as machines to be reckoned with once again. My only gripe is that I don't think you gave the Chevrolet/GMC Suburban quite enough credit. This isn't just a vehicle, it's an American icon. There simply is no other vehicle in the entire world that can do what a properly equipped '96 Suburban can!Steve M. LehrerGlendale, Ariz.

The same argument could be made for the Viper.-Ed.

While the Japanese are building underpowered, overpriced vehicles, the "Big Three" are producing powerful yet inexpensive automobiles for real enthusiasts; your November cover story proved it. If you had featured the ten "most powerful" Japanese vehicles, I would have laughed even before I saw their prices.Santiago SandovalOakland, Calif.

Why is there such an emphasis on American cars? Your high-speed shootouts always focus on Camaros and Mustangs, ignoring the Honda Prelude, Acura Integra, and Toyota Supra. When will you give other countries their due?Frank LimThousand Oaks, Calif.

Powerful V-8s and V-10s are as American as apple pie. This year, a variety of domestic vehicles received noteworthy increases in horsepower, thus inspiring us to put together "America's Most Powerful." Much to our surprise, we received numerous similar complaints regarding our coverage of American makers. In the same issue, however, we had stories on the Lamborghini Jota, Ferrari F50, and BMW M3 Luxury. As for Japanese sport coupes, we covered that ground with our "Virtual Velocity" top-speed shootout in the July '95 issue.-Ed

After reading "America's Most Powerful" I was very impressed with Detroit's latest muscle. The two vehicles that most intrigued me were the rival ponycars: the Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS and the Ford Mustang Cobra. Sure, the SS may go the rounds with the more sophisticated Cobra, but in the end of the performance sales war Ford will throw the knock-out punch.David B. DeCostaWashington Township, N.J.

Vintage CarsMost vintage musclecars can keep up with today's high-tech performance cars in the quarter-mile runs, but not in top-end runs. Is this because they lack a fifth gear, or is it the result of the vintage cars' exaggerated "gross" horsepower rating?Malcolm LombardNew Haven, Conn.

The "gross" horsepower ratings for vintage cars (made with no air cleaner or accessory drives) were typically about 20 percent higher than the actual "net" output (which is figured with the engine in full production dress). Other obvious limiting factors for big top speeds include the common two, three, or four-speed gearing and all the aerodynamics of a Wal-Mart.-Ed.