One thing that no one has addressed is that the figures say 170 HP SAE net. SAE net HP is measured at the output shaft of the transmission with all accessories, including power steering and air conditioning operating. If that is the case, figure on about 195 at the crank. That would be a fun car for sure. SAE net torque is calculated the same way. So 160 lb of torque is going to be closer to 175-185 at the crank also. Maybe more.

 

Not to bust your bubble, but when was the last time a car manufacturer actually advertised by anything other than crank HP?! They don't. Ford doesn't say the Mudstain has 245 rear wheel horse power. The WRX isn't advertised as putting 180 HP to the ground. They just don't do that. They advertise by the highest HP number they can pull out of their a$$. I will be EXTREMEMLY surprised if the MazdaSpeed Protege even makes the "target" horsepower level at the crank.

 

Well then, Mr. Negativity, I hope they prove you wrong

You are forgetting one important detail of why the MSP might be rated at the wheels... its aftermarket modified. It comes to the US as a NA car and then is retrofitted with the new parts. In this case, it would be easiest and most accurate to attain the wheel HP # via dyno test.

 

Actually, the last time a car manufacturer advertised crank horsepower in the U.S. was in 1971.

"Crank" horsepower is also known as SAE gross horsepower. It is measured with no flywheel or engine accessories. This measurement does not measure actual usuable power output and is very unrealistic.

In 1972, under the threat of government legislation, all car manufacturers selling products in the U.S. voluntarily started using the SAE net measurement, which is measured with the flywheel and all accessories installed. This measurement has been used for almost all advertised horsepower claims from 1972 on up. *ALL* manufacturer claims nowadays are SAE net or the European DIN standard (which is very close to SAE net).

SAE net is usually about 85% of SAE gross, but this can vary somewhat. In other words, it has been 30 years since a car manufacturer advertised "the highest HP number they can pull out of their a$$"

 

All right, fine. I am tired of trying to keep your heads out of the clouds. I hope Mazda does prove me wrong. But until then you can keep on dreaming for that 170 wheel horsepower. You want to play stupid semantics about HP numbers, that's fine too, but you all know the point I am trying to make. SAE Gross and SAE Net are both measured at the crank. More importantly THEY ARE NOT MEASURED AT THE WHEELS. The manufacturers don't use wheel horsepower.

Like I said, I am done trying to keep you guys in reality. When the MazdaSpeed Protege comes out as a less than 170 HP to the wheels wuss that gets pushed around by a type R, I'll be back to say I told you so. And if not, I am man enough to admit I was wrong.

Keep up the wishful thinking guys!!