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I note that the latest Audi RS5 is quoted by HJ as having "Peak power is 450PS and peak torque is 600Nm and performance is strong – 0-62mph takes just 3.9 seconds, with top speed limited to 155mph. If you like extra top speed, Audi will lift the limiter to 174mph."
This is an improvement over the previous version of this particular model.
So what happens when the current RS5 is replaced with the next new version - will the power and torque be increased again?
At some point the increases have to stop otherwise in 10 years times they'll be offering a 1,000BHP version!
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You'll never stop makers striving to lead the p'ing contest, and you'll never stop people wanting to buy the most powerful versions of their chosen brands, and long may such choices be available.
No govt is going to stop such cars being sold and no govt is going to stop such cars being produced, or those makers and their customers (the ones with loads of wonga keeping the taxes rolling in) will up sticks and clear off somewhere else.
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I see your point, but I think it would be commercial hara-kiri for a manufacturer to introduce a new model with less performance than the old one.
They could probably get away with a new model with the same performance, and bring in alongside it a cheaper model with less, and see how it sells.
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They could probably get away with a new model with the same performance, and bring in alongside it a cheaper model with less, and see how it sells.
Haven't makers always done exactly that and a decent number of customers for the look, hence M AMG R Sport etc badging and the must haves of superwide elastic bands and other go faster embellishmenst being available for the most mundane versions, taken to the extreme by used sellers when you see 'lookalike' M3/M5's for sale.
Never appealed to me personally, i much prefer the serious engine in a vehicle appearing to others as the base model, such versions are rare indeed and i still kick myself for not buying a stupidly cheap genuine approved used E39 M5 in as standard a trim and colours as could have been specified at the time, Oxford green paint complimented by gentlemans club beige leather and wood trim, remove the badge and no one would ever have known it was other than a standard exec spec 530..
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They could probably get away with a new model with the same performance, and bring in alongside it a cheaper model with less, and see how it sells.
Haven't makers always done exactly that and a decent number of customers for the look, hence M AMG R Sport etc badging and the must haves of superwide elastic bands and other go faster embellishmenst being available for the most mundane versions, taken to the extreme by used sellers when you see 'lookalike' M3/M5's for sale.
Never appealed to me personally, i much prefer the serious engine in a vehicle appearing to others as the base model, such versions are rare indeed and i still kick myself for not buying a stupidly cheap genuine approved used E39 M5 in as standard a trim and colours as could have been specified at the time, Oxford green paint complimented by gentlemans club beige leather and wood trim, remove the badge and no one would ever have known it was other than a standard exec spec 530..
Same preferences here, i'd much prefer to fly 'under the radar'!, and have no interest in drawing attention to myself. There have been some deeply amusing 'street sleepers' over the years. While working at a Saab dealer in the early 90's, for a while we had a 9000CD 2.3 turbo as a demonstrater. It was in the most basic trim, metallic grey, cloth interior, didn't even have alloy wheels. But there was very little else on the road at the time which could live with the mid range grunt of that engine, so some interesting and amusing encounters with more overtly sporting machinery were there for the taking!. Pulling away from a standstill, especially on wet roads, was hopeless though, the tyres just couldn't deal with the torque!.
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Mmm, yes. My Saab 9-5 Aero does this, but you only want to do it in a straight line. But it's an excellent Q-car for overtaking.
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If you want a Q car, here is a rare A8 W12 (it's not mine!)
www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20171127160...1
The trader thinks it's the LWB limo version. I think it's the rare SWB sports version with a lower final drive; there are only about 50 in the country.
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Just been reading in an 'Autocar' magazine from last November, about the new Porsche Panamera S e-hybrid (bit of a mouthful!). Here are some pertinant stats (pay particular attention to the last two):
671bhp
627lb/ft of torque from 1400-5500rpm
192mph
0-62mph in 3.4 seconds
£140k
97.6mpg
69g/km CO2
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Makes me laugh, hearing about all these performance figures. The chances of my ever owning a car with that kind of raw power are nil, and I might as well be reading about the latest estimate for the amount of cheese on the Moon.
Still, one can always dream about making better progress than a man on a butcher's delivery bike. The thought of 'er indoors being pinned to the front of the headrest and shouting WHEEEEE! brings a smile, but no anticipation that I'll ever make it happen.
Reliable pensioner transport for me, every time.
Edited by argybargy on 13/02/2018 at 09:50
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Car makers want to sell cars and have managed to make them objects of desire not function.
On the road it is not possible to get anywhere close to the performance limits due to other cars, legislation and lack of skill affecting 90%+ of drivers.
The reality is that almost all 1.6L cars would challenge the drivers ability to ,ake the most of the available power/
So by all means lust over super carsbut they are nothing more than motoring bling
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This is very true Terryw. I've been a car owner for 38 years and driven the same route south to north wales in all sorts of cars of various performance. And its always taken exactly the same time 4.5 hours. Type of car doesn't make any difference at all! Even on a 600cc bike its only 30 mins quicker and a lot more tiring. The only time iv wished for more top end was driving through Germany a couple of years ago, when my 1.9 Octavia dealt decidedly slow, but more to do with its horrendous noise at speed, it would still cruise at 110 plus . I lust after all sorts of performance tackle but they're dinosaurs really in this day and age .
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Only once did I attempt to get the most out of my B Max.
I kicked down like a good un, and left a newish diesel Astra in my wake when the lights went to Green.
It was a curiously satisfying feeling, but tinged with a bit of guilt.
Never again.
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"97.6mpg" - as long as all your journeys are under about 35 miles, in summer, and you do 0-62mph in about 3.4 minutes
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Bragging rights, nothing else.
If it sells cars, the manufacturers will do it.
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Delete me, missed the point ;)
Edited by Finguz on 13/02/2018 at 19:19
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Bragging rights, nothing else.
Absolute nonsense!
It's about the joy of driving. If you've not experienced it, you should probably reserve judgement.
I don't care what other people think of my car, I didn't buy it for them.
Absolute nonsense? People who own these things can always tell you what the 0-60 time is, and invariably do.
Re "joy of driving" I have a 1.5 litre MX-5 just for that, that can be enjoyed on roads at a legal speed. I don't know what the 0-60 time is without looking it up.
I've driven very powerful road cars and found no joy at all in holding back 450bhp.
Track use is another thing, but I suspect very few are tracked; and an MX-5 or car of similar power and weight can be plenty of fun for that too.
It's a free country as you say. Your choice.
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>>I've driven very powerful road cars and found no joy at all in holding back 450bhp.
Track use is another thing, but I suspect very few are tracked; and an MX-5 or car of similar power and weight can be plenty of fun for that too.<<
Two very good points, Manatee. I always feel a little bit 'cheated' if I'm driving something that I can't then use as intended. The MX-5 is a lovely road car, and few British tracks would be suitable for something much more powerful; Silverstone perhaps ? Plus you'd be paying a great deal of money to drive on such a track with limited numbers.
Even in the bike market, the very fast race-replica superbikes have been superceded by the 'adventure' bikes, which are much more road-friendly.
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I note that the latest Audi RS5 is quoted by HJ as having "Peak power is 450PS and peak torque is 600Nm and performance is strong – 0-62mph takes just 3.9 seconds, with top speed limited to 155mph. If you like extra top speed, Audi will lift the limiter to 174mph."
This is an improvement over the previous version of this particular model.
So what happens when the current RS5 is replaced with the next new version - will the power and torque be increased again?
At some point the increases have to stop otherwise in 10 years times they'll be offering a 1,000BHP version!
No need to wait 10 years - this should be with us in 2 or 3 years . . .
www.tesla.com/en_GB/roadster
And not forgetting the almost 1000 bhp Bugatti Veyron that's been about for over 10 years!
Edited by Sofa Spud on 15/02/2018 at 22:12
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