I did not realise until I spoke to Chris Lawrence that the Aero is speed limited at BMW´s request. Apparently unrestricted and with the right gearing over 200mph would be possible.
Phil - thats got to be theoretical top speed.
Once you bring air resistance into the equation it won't add up.
I've run my Aero several times at bruntingthorpe on the 2 mile straight through professionalyl calibrated laser traps to assess top speed. The official top speed for the (s1) car is 160, but even in tip top fettle with a tailwind, the car would barely manage 150mph through the laser traps - and thats hitting the main straight (not sideways) at around 70-80mph around the bottom bend, not from a standstill.
Of course at VMAX the Aero speedo reads 165mph - which looks fantastic, but it's certainly not true - 148-150mph depending on wind seemed to be the top end. (roof up) Roof down low 140's was the best.
The later cars, having a wider cross sectional area than the S1 and not significantly more power are likely to fare less well in terms of outright top speed than the S1 I would think...
Suggest Charles bugs BMW to let us test the latest car at Nardo to verify the claims!
