Timing cars as they sprint from zero-to-60 mph is a slippery business, literally and figuratively.
Though car makers such as Porsche, Chevrolet and Lamborghini sell autos boasting under-four-second zero-to-60 times, some say it's not as simple as putting the pedal to the metal. That's because often the world's most powerful cars have more horsepower than their tires can handle.
Picture this: If a driver simply floors the gas from a standing start, he will probably smoke the tires and skid in place. Either that, or traction control will intervene by slowing the engine and applying the brakes, until the tires stop skidding. The car will stutter-step until the tires get a grip on the road.
Read Article