With looming emissions legislation and the blanketing of speed cameras on our roads, who would have thought the old German horsepower war would still be going on in 2019?
The M3 and M4’s 500bhp-plus figure shouldn’t be too surprising, given Mercedes-AMG has been selling the Mercedes-AMG C63 with 503bhp for a few years now. But this is no longer a race between BMW, Audi and Mercedes, thanks to Alfa Romeo bursting onto the scene with the wonderful 503bhp Giulia Quadrifoglio.
But, yet again, I find myself questioning where it will all end. Many will call me a cynic, but I feel like we are already in a situation where super-saloons are becoming less fun because they’re too powerful.
For me, nothing beats the thrill of nailing a corner apex, running up to the redline and rattling through the gears on the straight. The current BMW M3 is already at the point where you can do that for a precious few seconds before flirting with a court appearance. With more than 500bhp and the stability of four-wheel drive, the business of spirited driving could become sanitised.
Perhaps, then, a base model, with not much more power than today’s M3 and BMW M4, rear-wheel drive and the involvement of a manual gearbox could be the sweetest spot in the range.
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I've driven fast cars, but
I've driven fast cars, but with 0-60 times in a few seconds you are very quickly in territory where the 5-0 would take an interest. Acceleration so quick that any imperfections on the road - potholes, puddles, ripples, camber etc. can potentially unsettle a finely tuned sports suspension. A 155mph (restricted) car that is still stuck between a 40mph Qashqai in front, a pushy diesel Audi behind, and while the through-gear speed does allow for fast overtaking, you usually don't use 100% acceleration because of the above, and because modern cars are so wide you see the overhanging hedges scraping your carbon fibre wing mirrors and wince.
Yes they are an experience, and on the right road/track can be immense, but oppurtunities for really opening the taps are few and far between.
Unpopular opinion but I've probably had as much fun in a 1 litre econobox, winding it up through the gears, taking corners at the speed limit - as it felt like the little car was on the limit. Yes overtaking can be more of a chore, but you're a little less worried about putting your wheel into a pothole on the wrong side of the road (soft suspension and balloon tyres) and overhanging hedge branches aren't as much of a worry.
This has been said so many
I agree with Lawrence.
I agree with Lawrence.
400bhp, no turbos, RWD, minimal electronic crap to go wrong. A manual option if you want it, an auto if you don't.
Beyond that, the joy reduces.
I've had the same 6.2 AMG for nearly 12 years now. It is a joyful and pure engine. I am not the slightest bit tempted by the current 4.0 turbo offerings. Faster for no obvious reason, but in every other respect less lovely.