sportscarfanatic

I just read a German car magazine which was comparing the new M5 and the 997 S. That new M5 smokes the 997 S on 0-200 Km/h. With a V10 and more than 500hp, it's only normal. And it's about the same price!

Now, of course it's not the same car, but I hate to think that I can't pass a bimmer on the highway with my Porsche.

On the other hand, what whould have happened if Porsche made the 997 S 420 Hp? Would it be safer? Would it handle better? Would it be more fun?

With all the manufacturars increasing the Hp, 5 years from now we will see 350 Hp Kia cars on the road!

MMD

I hear that the ideal HP to weight ratio is 600 HP per ton. We've got a way to go yet. 0-60 in 2.0 seconds sounds hard to get bored with. That's a car with biiiiig tires too.

MrBonus

I'll never complain about too much horsepower but I think manufacturers really hurt themselves in the race for horsepower. While great power is always fun, I don't want it to come at the expense of quality or overall driving experience.

I think the Viper is a perfect example - The motor is wonderfully powerful with torque throughout the powerband but I was wholly unimpressed with the feel of the car, the fact that it bump steered and hopped all over rough roads, and the finish of the car for its price tag.

If BMW is able to build a great car regardless of horsepower level however, I applaud them.

schvetkaaks

Really? The M5 outaccelerated the 997S? That's odd - was it to 100km/h also?

JohnnyBahamas

"...600 HP per ton." Oh Lordy!

MMD

Now I remember who said that, Alain Decadenet, on one of his Victory by design shows. YEAH BABY YEAH!!! Same ratio as some crotch rocket bikes, right?

graham_mitchell

German magazine Autozeitung has made the first performance test of the M5:

0- 40 km/h 1.4s
0- 60 km/h 2.2s
0- 80 km/h 3.4s
0-100 km/h 4.4s
0-120 km/h 5.3s
0-140 km/h 7.5s
0-160 km/h 9.3s
0-180 km/h 11.5s
0-200 km/h 13.9s

80-120 km/h 1.9s

100-0 km/h <35m

Depressingly good On the positive side, it's nothing to look at!

graham_mitchell

Compare with the same magazine's test of the 997 'S':

0-40 km/h (s) 1.3
0-60 km/h (s) 2.2
0-80 km/h (s) 3.5
0-100 km/h (s) 4.8
0-120 km/h (s) 6.6

80-120 km/h (s) 3.1

100-0 km/h 33.6m

TT Surgeon

It will never end.

Shark

It will end, just like the 70s it will be caused by fuel shortages & safety concerns triggering government regulation.

But enjoy it while it lasts.

MrBonus

With gas and insurance prices rising, it will eventually plateau. Again.

SoCal Alan

Just wait for the 997 turbo, like me.

1999Porsche911

It's just a matter of time that the insurance companies put the pressure on the automakers like they did it the late 60's. Back then, they forced the big 3 to not mass produce over certain engine size and HP. To get around it, all 3 jobbed many of their engines out to a 3rd party to beef them up. Like the OLD's Hurst.

tetzlafh

I'm with Shark and MrBonus, I think we are getting closer to it's peak again before the HP wars take another hit.

harrY

Riad

Then KIA will stand for Killed In Accident.