[masraum]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Losses might be 10% or they may be more or less. The SAE has concluded that every drivetrain is different and assuming arbitrary % loss is not accurate.

In real life drivers have to let their 500 hp engines loaf along (for traffic or whatever) most of the time. Drivetrain loss is a function of the power the engine is actually producing at any given time, not it's potential. Doubling the HP capacity of the engine won't materially affect transmission losses if you maintain the same driving style. Is that what you mean?

So, The guy in the Veyron with 1000hp at 35 mph is seeing the same losses as the guy with a Veyron using the valet key so he only has 100hp. Where their losses would be different (150hp vs 15hp assuming 15% loss) is if they were full throttle at the RPM where they are each making peak power.