In a hypothetical scenario where a car with a constant 500HP accelerates without resistance forces, the acceleration from 100-200 km/h would not be the same as from 0-100 km/h, despite the same change in velocity. This is because a car's engine produces constant power, which leads to a decrease in thrust as speed increases, resulting in longer acceleration times and more fuel consumption at higher speeds. The discussion emphasizes that real-world factors like aerodynamic drag and tire friction significantly impact acceleration, making it slower at higher speeds. Additionally, the kinetic energy required for acceleration increases with speed, complicating the relationship between power and thrust. The conversation concludes that understanding these dynamics is essential for grasping vehicle acceleration behavior.
). Seriously the only reason a car can move is the resistance between the tyres and the road. If there is none all the wheels would do is spin - as you mentioned. I seem to recall Feynman discussing it somewhere in his lectures, which of course anyone interested in applied math/physics should read (but not after a usual course in physics without going into why).