How much slower is a car at altitude?

The middle car of 14,929 is 6.9% slower to 60 mph, simulated at 1,600 m above sea level — for that car, the Mercedes-Benz R 350 BlueTEC 4Motion, 9.35 s becomes 9.99 s. That is the middle of the losses, not the middle of the field: the spread is very wide and the median is the honest number here: the Volvo 66 1.3 CVT 57 loses 3.98 s while the Ruf BTR 3.4 loses -0.26 s, so an average would be pulled a long way from anything a reader is likely to be driving.

Which car is worst affected?

The Volvo 66 1.3 CVT 57 (1975): 16.60 s to 60 mph normally, 20.58 s at 1,600 m above sea level — 3.98 s worse, or 24.0%. These are theoretical times from a physics simulation, not measured runs.

Is any car quicker at 1,600 m above sea level?

Yes — 113 of them. The biggest gain is the Ruf BTR 3.4, 0.26 s BETTER. It is not a mistake: those cars are traction-limited, so anything that reduces the power reaching the road also reduces wheelspin, and they leave the line more cleanly than they do at full power. These are theoretical times from a physics simulation, not measured runs.

Does it hit turbocharged and naturally aspirated cars differently?

Yes. Simulated at 1,600 m above sea level, forced-induction cars lose 5.0% on average against 19.5% for naturally aspirated ones and -0.5% for electric cars. That gap is the point: a spec sheet quotes one number per car and cannot show it.

Are these real measured times?

No. Both the normal and the altitude figure are produced by the same physics simulation, each car modelled from its published mass, power, drivetrain and gearing and trimmed to its own published acceleration figures. What is meaningful here is the difference between two runs of the same car under rules that differ in exactly one respect.

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How much does altitude cost a car?

Run at 1,600 m above sea level, the middle car of 14,929 is 6.9% slower to 60 mph — for that car, the Mercedes-Benz R 350 BlueTEC 4Motion, 9.35 s becomes 9.99 s. The worst affected is the Volvo 66 1.3 CVT 57, which loses 3.98 s (24.0%). 113 cars are actually quicker, led by the Ruf BTR 3.4 at 0.26 s better — a car that was traction-limited gains more from spinning its wheels less than it loses elsewhere.

Simulated, not measured. Every car is run twice under identical rules — once at 20 °C on dry asphalt at sea level, once at 1,600 m above sea level — and the difference is what is reported here.

Why it happens

Thinner air means less oxygen for the engine and less drag for the body. A naturally aspirated engine simply makes less power. A turbocharged one can raise boost to compensate and gives away far less — which is why the two kinds of engine separate on this page rather than moving together.

Worst affected

#	Car	Year	Normal	Altitude	Lost	Worse by
1	Volvo 66 1.3 CVT 57	1975	16.60 s	20.58 s	+3.98 s	24.0%
2	Ford Capri 1.3 63	1969	20.72 s	25.65 s	+4.93 s	23.8%
3	Isuzu 117 Coupe 2.2 73	1968	19.06 s	23.56 s	+4.51 s	23.7%
4	Renault 5 3dr 1.3 55	1972	19.80 s	24.49 s	+4.68 s	23.7%
5	Renault 5 5dr 1.3 55	1972	19.80 s	24.49 s	+4.68 s	23.7%
6	Toyota Aygo X 1.0 VVT-i CVT 72	2021	13.93 s	17.21 s	+3.28 s	23.6%
7	Audi 100 (C3) 2.0 D 70	1982	19.38 s	23.94 s	+4.56 s	23.5%
8	Audi 100 (C2) 2.0 D 70	1976	18.84 s	23.27 s	+4.43 s	23.5%
9	Hyundai Atos Prime/Spirit 1.0 55	1999	18.32 s	22.62 s	+4.30 s	23.5%
10	Hyundai Atos Multi 1.0 55	1998	18.09 s	22.33 s	+4.25 s	23.5%
11	Hyundai Atos 1.1 59	2003	18.74 s	23.14 s	+4.39 s	23.4%
12	Mercedes-Benz B-Class (W245) 150 CVT 95	2005	12.80 s	15.79 s	+2.99 s	23.4%
13	Mercedes-Benz B-Class 150 CVT 95	2008	12.80 s	15.79 s	+2.99 s	23.4%
14	Subaru XV 1.6i CVT 114	2012	12.44 s	15.35 s	+2.91 s	23.3%
15	Fiat Tempra 1.9 D 65	1990	17.01 s	20.98 s	+3.97 s	23.3%
16	Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W202) 200 Diesel 75	1993	19.16 s	23.63 s	+4.47 s	23.3%
17	Ford Capri 1.6 72 (1969)	1969	17.59 s	21.69 s	+4.10 s	23.3%
18	Renault Megane Estate 1.9d 65	1999	16.81 s	20.73 s	+3.92 s	23.3%
19	Mercedes-Benz A-Class Coupe (C169) 150 CVT 95	2008	12.16 s	15.00 s	+2.84 s	23.3%
20	Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W169) 150 CVT 95	2008	12.16 s	15.00 s	+2.84 s	23.3%
21	Mercedes-Benz A-Class Coupe (W169) 150 CVT 95	2004	12.16 s	15.00 s	+2.84 s	23.3%
22	Mitsubishi Mirage 1.2 MIVEC CVT 78	2019	12.17 s	15.00 s	+2.84 s	23.3%
23	Proton Iriz 1.3 CVT 95	2014	11.77 s	14.51 s	+2.74 s	23.3%
24	Toyota Prius 1.8 CVT -i 98	2019	11.77 s	14.51 s	+2.74 s	23.3%
25	Toyota Prius 1.8 CVT 98	2019	11.81 s	14.56 s	+2.75 s	23.3%
26	Nissan Qashqai 1.6 CVT 117	2010	11.71 s	14.43 s	+2.72 s	23.3%
27	Honda Mobilio Spike 1.5 CVT 110	2004	11.71 s	14.44 s	+2.72 s	23.3%
28	Renault 11 5-door 1.1 48	1983	19.80 s	24.40 s	+4.60 s	23.3%
29	Mitsubishi Mirage G4/Attrage 1.2 CVT 78	2015	11.52 s	14.20 s	+2.68 s	23.2%
30	Ford Fiesta 3dr 1.4 CVT 75	1989	11.31 s	13.94 s	+2.63 s	23.2%
31	Peugeot 205 5dr 1.0 45	1983	16.97 s	20.91 s	+3.94 s	23.2%
32	Nissan Cube 1.5 CVT 109	2009	11.34 s	13.97 s	+2.63 s	23.2%
33	Audi 100 Avant (C3) 1.8 75	1983	16.98 s	20.92 s	+3.94 s	23.2%
34	Honda Jazz/Fit 1.4i CVT 83	2002	11.13 s	13.71 s	+2.58 s	23.2%
35	Subaru Impreza 4dr 1.6 CVT 114	2012	11.35 s	13.99 s	+2.64 s	23.2%
36	Proton Preve 1.6 CVT 109	2011	11.25 s	13.86 s	+2.61 s	23.2%
37	Honda Insight 1.4 CVT 98	2012	11.26 s	13.88 s	+2.61 s	23.2%
38	Hyundai Atos 1.1 63	2005	17.10 s	21.07 s	+3.97 s	23.2%
39	Honda Accord 1.6 80	1977	14.01 s	17.27 s	+3.25 s	23.2%
40	Audi 200 2.2 136	1984	14.01 s	17.27 s	+3.25 s	23.2%
41	Fiat 124 Familiare 1.4 68	1966	16.12 s	19.86 s	+3.74 s	23.2%
42	Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W202) 220 Diesel 95 (1993)	1993	15.99 s	19.70 s	+3.71 s	23.2%
43	Fiat 124 Familiare 1.4 77	1966	16.17 s	19.91 s	+3.75 s	23.2%
44	Honda Civic Sedan 1.3 IMA eCVT 94	2008	10.90 s	13.42 s	+2.52 s	23.2%
45	SEAT Alhambra 2.0 116	1996	15.80 s	19.46 s	+3.66 s	23.2%
46	Mercedes-Benz B-Class (W245) 170 CVT 115	2005	10.80 s	13.30 s	+2.50 s	23.2%
47	Mercedes-Benz B-Class 170 CVT 115	2008	10.80 s	13.30 s	+2.50 s	23.2%
48	Toyota Prius C 1.5 Hybrid VVT-i eCVT 99	2012	10.69 s	13.17 s	+2.48 s	23.2%
49	SEAT Alhambra 2.0 115	2000	15.83 s	19.50 s	+3.67 s	23.2%
50	Renault Fluence 1.6 CVT 116	2013	10.70 s	13.18 s	+2.48 s	23.2%
51	Ford Bronco 2.8 89	1966	18.14 s	22.34 s	+4.20 s	23.2%
52	Honda Airwave 1.5 CVT 110	2005	10.51 s	12.94 s	+2.43 s	23.1%
53	Audi 80 Avant (B4) 2.0 90 Auto	1991	15.50 s	19.09 s	+3.59 s	23.1%
54	Opel Astra 3dr 1.6i 75	1991	15.27 s	18.81 s	+3.53 s	23.1%
55	Opel Astra 5dr 1.6 71	1991	15.27 s	18.81 s	+3.53 s	23.1%
56	Aston Martin Cygnet 1.3 CVT 98	2011	10.42 s	12.83 s	+2.41 s	23.1%
57	Opel Astra Sedan 1.6 71	1994	15.27 s	18.81 s	+3.53 s	23.1%
58	Opel Astra 5dr 1.6i 71	1994	15.27 s	18.81 s	+3.53 s	23.1%
59	Toyota Prius C 1.5 Hybrid VVT-i CVT 99	2016	10.33 s	12.71 s	+2.39 s	23.1%
60	Nissan Juke 1.6i CVT 117	2010	10.33 s	12.72 s	+2.39 s	23.1%

Ranked by how much of its own 0-60 each car gives away, not by seconds — otherwise the list would simply be the slowest cars in the set.

Least affected — and the ones that gain

#	Car	Year	Normal	Altitude	Lost	Worse by
1	Ruf BTR 3.4	1983	4.16 s	3.90 s	+-0.26 s	-6.3%
2	Dacia Spring Electric 65	2024	12.08 s	11.58 s	+-0.50 s	-4.1%
3	Dacia Spring Electric 45	2024	16.92 s	16.25 s	+-0.67 s	-4.0%
4	VW e-UP! 32.3 KWh 83	2019	10.53 s	10.18 s	+-0.35 s	-3.4%
5	Leapmotor T03 T03 37.3 kWh	2025	11.25 s	10.88 s	+-0.38 s	-3.3%
6	BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort 43.2kWh 115kW	2025	8.10 s	7.94 s	+-0.16 s	-1.9%
7	BMW i3 22 kWh 170	2013	6.39 s	6.28 s	+-0.11 s	-1.7%
8	Chevrolet Spark EV 105 kW 143	2013	7.03 s	6.92 s	+-0.11 s	-1.6%
9	Honda e 35.4 KWh 154	2020	7.12 s	7.01 s	+-0.11 s	-1.6%
10	Skywell BE11 BE11 Standard Range 72 kWh	2023	8.57 s	8.44 s	+-0.13 s	-1.5%
11	Peugeot e-208 51 kWh 158	2024	7.21 s	7.11 s	+-0.11 s	-1.5%
12	Nissan Leaf 52kWh	2025	7.66 s	7.55 s	+-0.11 s	-1.5%
13	Skywell BE11 BE11 Long Range 86 kWh	2023	8.57 s	8.45 s	+-0.13 s	-1.5%
14	Gwm Ora 03 (Funky Cat) Funky Cat First Edition 48kWh	2022	7.40 s	7.30 s	+-0.10 s	-1.4%
15	Gwm Ora 03 (Funky Cat) 03 Pure / Pure+ 48kWh	2023	7.40 s	7.30 s	+-0.10 s	-1.4%
16	Gwm Ora 03 (Funky Cat) 03 Pro / Pro+ 63kWh	2023	7.31 s	7.21 s	+-0.10 s	-1.4%
17	BYD Dolphin Boost 44.9kWh 130kW	2024	7.13 s	7.03 s	+-0.10 s	-1.4%
18	Gwm Ora 03 (Funky Cat) 03 GT 63kWh	2024	7.31 s	7.22 s	+-0.10 s	-1.3%
19	Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 69.7 KWh 1-Speed 190	2022	7.94 s	7.84 s	+-0.11 s	-1.3%
20	VW ID. Buzz 82 KWh 204	2023	9.13 s	9.02 s	+-0.12 s	-1.3%

A negative figure is a car that is quicker at 1,600 m above sea level. Those cars are traction-limited: less power reaching the road means less wheelspin, and they leave the line more cleanly for it.

Volvo 66 1.3 CVT 57 Ford Capri 1.3 63

The two that suffer most, on the line together. Set the surface and the weather yourself and watch what it does.

Questions

How much slower is a car at altitude?: The middle car of 14,929 is 6.9% slower to 60 mph, simulated at 1,600 m above sea level — for that car, the Mercedes-Benz R 350 BlueTEC 4Motion, 9.35 s becomes 9.99 s. That is the middle of the losses, not the middle of the field: the spread is very wide and the median is the honest number here: the Volvo 66 1.3 CVT 57 loses 3.98 s while the Ruf BTR 3.4 loses -0.26 s, so an average would be pulled a long way from anything a reader is likely to be driving.
Which car is worst affected?: The Volvo 66 1.3 CVT 57 (1975): 16.60 s to 60 mph normally, 20.58 s at 1,600 m above sea level — 3.98 s worse, or 24.0%. These are theoretical times from a physics simulation, not measured runs.
Is any car quicker at 1,600 m above sea level?: Yes — 113 of them. The biggest gain is the Ruf BTR 3.4, 0.26 s BETTER. It is not a mistake: those cars are traction-limited, so anything that reduces the power reaching the road also reduces wheelspin, and they leave the line more cleanly than they do at full power. These are theoretical times from a physics simulation, not measured runs.
Does it hit turbocharged and naturally aspirated cars differently?: Yes. Simulated at 1,600 m above sea level, forced-induction cars lose 5.0% on average against 19.5% for naturally aspirated ones and -0.5% for electric cars. That gap is the point: a spec sheet quotes one number per car and cannot show it.
Are these real measured times?: No. Both the normal and the altitude figure are produced by the same physics simulation, each car modelled from its published mass, power, drivetrain and gearing and trimmed to its own published acceleration figures. What is meaningful here is the difference between two runs of the same car under rules that differ in exactly one respect.

Figures regenerated 2026-10-12. Every number on this page is computed by the simulator at build time, so the page and the app can never disagree.