The power required increases as the square of the speed, consequently it
takes four times more power to go 100 mph as it does to go 50 mph, or to
go 200 as it does to go 100. BUT since the drive line is more or less
inelastic if 50 mph requires 2000 rpm, 100 mph requires 4000 rpm (in the
same gear of course). That's why most vehicles will go faster in the
highest non-overdrive gear than in overdrive, they don't make enough power
at the rpm required to go that speed in OD.
Larry
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