Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-24074103-20131121013359/@comment-679780-20131123134231

By Appearance he doesn't use his speed in Sonic Adventure 2, but in Sonic Heroes, Sonic uses Sonic Wind without the cost of rings. Plus he shows it more in traditional whirlwind way where he spins around the target, causes a twister of wind etc.

Also, there is an actual POW move called Whirlwind which appears to be a more advance version of Sonic Wind.

I believe Sonic Wind is based on past cartoons and comics when Sonic would cause a tornado of his own by spinning around his target, causing a funnel of wind.