THE length of a Sydney bus is all that separates the fastest V8 Supercar from the slowest in the most competitive season in history.

The Daily Telegraph can today end the parity debate with a Special Investigation revealing only 0.6sec separates the entire v8 field.

The true speed of each of the five makes — Holden, Ford, Nissan, Mercedes and Volvo – can be revealed. The highly guarded parity information was obtained by The Daily Telegraph after complaints that new manufacturer Volvo had an unfair advantage.

The S60 has been accused of having both a horse-power advantage and an unfairly fast aerodynamic package.

But an Engine Adaptation document reveals Ford has the most horse power, with Volvo, Nissan and Mercedes prevented from exceeding the top figure of established makes Holden and Ford. The peak figure is a 20654HP and the three new manufacturers are prevented from exceeding it under V8 rules.

A series of interviews, reports and documents obtained to examine the hottest issue in the sport reveal:

■ Despite parity issues raised by several teams, no official complaint has been lodged over the issue.

■ V8 Supercars have confirmed the controversial aero-packages will not change until the end of next year.

■ An average of just 0.6sec separates the first car from last during each qualifying session this year.

■ Holden are the quickest manufacturer over 100m, with a season best time of 3.148sec.

■ Volvo reached the highest top speed this year, with a radar gun recording Scott McLaughlin at 265km/h

■ Despite leading neither speed category, Ford are winning the championship and had the fastest car over a lap at the past two events.

■ The lightest car at the season-opening race was a Holden (1414kg) while Volvo was second heaviest (1424kg).

V8 Supercars boss James Warburton claimed the difference between winning and losing now comes down to the skill of the driver in what he describes as the most competitive era in the sport’s history.

“You look at Volvo and they are certainly doing a well,’’ he said. “You have to remember Scott McLaughlin is one of the hottest young talents and a big reason for the team’s good results. Each of the 25 cars have been with in 0.6sec of first in qualifying and any car can win at any time — 18m between the five manufacturers over 13 qualification sessions would make it the closest parity formula of any category in the world.’’

Warburton outlined the lengths V8 Supercars had gone to ensure each of the five manufacturers had a shot at victory. Every make but Volvo has won a race and that was only denied in Winton by a controversial black flag.

“Delivering a level of technical parity is what we at V8 Supercars are charged with doing; policing and controlling to ensure our category is the best touring car series on the planet,’’ Warburton said.

He suggested many of the grumblings came from teams desperately searching for a gain.

“The great thing about our sport is the passion and the extreme level of competition between our race teams. The championship comes together roughly every third weekend and there is not a person within any one team that does not believe they can win on any given day.

“We still have incredible drives like Craig Lowndes driving from the rear of the grid to fifth place. The time sheets reflect the level of parity across engine power, aero, however the overall team performance can make the difference on the day. That’s is what makes this category so amazing.”

Speeds (km/h)

Adelaide

Volvo: 243.75

Ford: 242.11

Nissan: 242.11

Holden: 241.83

Erebus: 240.59

Avg of all cars (NB: all cars, not just 5 manufacturers): 241.06

Tasmania

Volvo: 265.76

Holden: 263.98

Nissan: 263.47

Ford: 263.02

Erebus: 262.64

Avg of all cars (NB: all cars, not just 5 manufacturers): 262.99

Winton

Ford: 226.28

Volvo: 225.11

Holden: 224.12

Erebus: 221.61

Nissan: 222.66

Avg of all cars (NB: all cars, not just 5 manufacturers): 222.51

Pukekohe

Volvo: 258.14

Ford: 256.73

Holden: 256.73

Nissan: 255.23

Erebus: 254.99

Avg of all cars (NB: all cars, not just 5 manufacturers): 255.58

Acceleration 0-100 km/h

Adelaide

Holden – 3.148 (sec)

Erebus – 3.290

Ford – 3.296

Volvo – 3.638

Nissan – 3.388

Tasmania

Erebus: 3.2

Nissan: 3.402

Ford: 3.413

Holden: 3.522

Volvo: 3.621

Winton

Ford: 3.091

Volvo: 3.5

Nissan: 3.529

Volvo: 3.559

Holden: 3.722

Pukekohe

Holden: 3.441

Erebus: 3.624

Volvo: 3.818

Ford: 3.654

Nissan: 3.888