0to60

0to60 is a shorthand used in automotive contexts to denote the time a vehicle takes to accelerate from a standstill to 60 miles per hour (approximately 96.6 kilometers per hour). It is a widely cited performance metric that helps readers compare acceleration capability across different cars, engines, and drivetrains.

Measurement of 0to60 is typically performed under controlled conditions with precise timing equipment or data logging. Times are often published by manufacturers and automotive publications, and may be obtained using automatic transmissions in standard drive modes or with launch control. Manual transmissions can produce different results. Times are usually reported to the nearest tenth of a second and can vary depending on testing surface, temperature, altitude, and tire conditions, making direct comparisons between sources challenging.

The term commonly refers to miles per hour, though some markets or tests report 0to60 in metric units, such as 0–100 kilometers per hour, or 0–60 km/h as a rough proxy. Because of differing test conditions and controller strategies, 0to60 figures should be viewed as benchmarks rather than absolute measures of real-world performance.

Significance and limitations: 0to60 provides a quick gauge of an engine’s torque delivery and drivetrain efficiency, but it is not a comprehensive performance metric. It does not reflect top speed, braking, handling, or long-term reliability, and a fast 0to60 time does not guarantee superior overall performance in every scenario.

In practice, 0to60 is a common reference in media, marketing, and performance databases, especially for high-performance and electric vehicles.