Why the wide gearboxes?

[mcsqueegy]

I did a quick search, and found nothing, so forgive me if you've found something.

Anyway, I was wondering why some cars in GT4 have incredibly wide gearing, beyond the car's ability. Take for example the Viper GTS-R Concept, the Ford GT '05, Peugeot 905 etc. Is this just on the game, or real life as well? Because these cars will never be capable of what the gearboxes might suggest. Especially the GTS-R, which doesn't even reach its max fully tuned . Any answers, or names of other cars that do this would be fully appreciated .

-Macca

 

[Dragonistic]

Some of these cars in real life have highway gears to increase economy rather then reach full speed. I'm no expert but I think that's the reason. Don't bet on it though.

 

[Greycap]

Both of the first two are American, and the explanation lies right there. Extremely wide gearing is the only way to make the high powered cars even remotely fuel consuming at highway speeds. The 5th and 6th gear are simply overdrives. About the Peugeot, if I remember correctly it ran at Le Mans at the time when the Hunaudieres straight still was the famous three miles long full throttle straight with no chicanes. The speeds reached were in the vicinity of 400 km/h.

 

[MadMax]

Some of these cars in real life have highway gears to increase economy rather then reach full speed. I'm no expert but I think that's the reason. Don't bet on it though.

Yes, that's mostly the case and those american cars are Supercharged
so the gears are wide enought to get the supercharger's power in use
for the real life rewing ranges. (This means that reving high makes car engine over heat in longer use)
More power with less fuel consuming in everyday(normal) life.

 

[daan]

Yes, that's mostly the case and those american cars are Supercharged
so the gears are wide enought to get the supercharger's power in use

It's purely for fuel economy. Neither of the 2 American cars mentioned are supercharged. Ooops!

 

[Greycap]

Err, daan, are you absolutely sure about that? At least to my knowledge the Ford GT has a Lysholm twin-screw supercharger.

 

[daan]

Err, daan, are you absolutely sure about that? At least to my knowledge the Ford GT has a Lysholm twin-screw supercharger.

I just edited before I saw your post.

Hadn't realised the GT as supercharged. Long gearing is purely for fuel economy though.

 

[mcsqueegy]

Ah ok, that explains a lot. Thanks guys 👍