Weight is a factor in acceleration (F= m x a) but not in top speed. For a given amount of power, top speed is all about aero.
“Weight is a factor in acceleration (F= m x a) but not in top speed.”
Mechanical engineers know otherwise.
Weight affects bearings, suspension loading and vehicle aerodynamics, tire drag, etc.
Besides f=1/2mV^2 is the more accurate equation to worry about.
Mass is a factor in acceleration (not weight). Weight will increase the rolling resistance at the tire. Power (a unit of work delivered in a shorter period of time) is what sustains the car’s speed by overcoming resistance (aero included). Work is force x displacement (distance). If you move something 20ft using 10 lb. of force, you are doing 200 lb-ft of work. If you apply the 10lb of force but cannot move it you are not doing any work. If you can displace 20 ft in a shorter period of time with the same 10 lb. of force, you either have more power or there is less resistance.
In the rotating world like an engine, torque is work. If you apply 10 lb of force through a 2 ft wrench that is 20 lb-ft. Even if you did not move the bolt because the force is already displace through the length of the wrench. Hence the units for torque are the same as the units doe work (lb-ft). If you can maintain the torque while increasing the speed (rpm) you get more power. Power is work x speed.