Europe at war! 500HP Super sedans revealed
The current champion is Mercedes with the 368kW E55 sedan, but BMW, Jaguar and Audi are putting the finishing touches on the cars they hope will topple the king from its high performance throne.
Sub 5-second 0-100km/h performance is mandatory, as is the ability to carry four adults in uncompromised bliss. A top speed, electronically limited to 250km/h and razor sharp handling are also pre-requisites for membership of this exclusive super sedan club. Those wishing to buy a slice of saloon heaven will need a bank account on the other side of $200,000, or a very friendly banker, or both.
BMW M5 - 5.0 litres of V10 heaven
Benz's arch rival, BMW, revealed the M5 Concept at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show. This thinly disguised version of the production model due in Australia in May, 2005, has a 5.0 litre V10 shoved under the bonnet, punching out 500bhp/500Nm through a seven speed SMG sequential manual gearbox. No official pricing as yet, but sources indicate a $215,000 sticker is possible. Judicious use of aluminium and high tensile steel gives the M5 an ideal 50/50 weight distribution, and monster 19inch Michelin Pilots will provide prodigious grip.
With its 25 year heritage, the M5 has a legion of enthusiastic owners worldwide, so the 2005 model should easily find the 150 Aussie buyers a year. The estimated 0-100km/h time of around 4.7 seconds and a top whack limited to 250km/h (although there are rumours that BMW will drop the 250km/h limit on its top M vehicles) puts the M5 right at the top of our most wanted list. Until then you will have to satisfy yourself with the 545i, which we'll review in early May. The new M5 will be officially launched at the Paris show in September 2004.
Audi RS6 -- Twin turbocharged V8 rush
The revamped A6 will be launched locally in September and our sources at Audi tell us a high performance RS6 version is still not 100 per cent certain because of engine packaging and production scheduling issues. Our source says it is possible that the next S6 "may well be powerful enough," but we reckon you can never have too much power.
Early rumours placed a Lamborghini Gallardo 5.0 litre V10 under the RS6's bonnet, but our sources indicate that may not actually be the case. A twin turbo version of the 4.2-litre V8 sporting around 500bhp/480Nm is more likely and will ensure the RS6 maintains its storming reputation. The customary dual oval exhausts will showcase Audi's recently discovered love of deep and bellowing exhaust notes. The RS6 will be unique not only because of its quattro four-wheel drive system, but also for its use of turbochargers rather than a supercharger (E55, S-Type R) or natural aspiration (M5).
Audi sold 33 RS6s locally and are keen to provide a replacement when those vehicles come off lease in 18 months or so. The current runout RS6-plus, Europe only, is a limited production vehicle and won't come to Australia owing to emission compliance and limited production. Audi Australia, however, would be "very happy" to have a few RS6-pluses to sell locally because of significant interest shown from current RS6 owners.
Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG -- four-door, supercharged supercoupe
Like all its Benz brethrenn the coupe-ish Mercedes CLS is expected to get the AMG treatment sometime after its release at the Paris show in September. The obvious body styling bits like cooling ducts, sills, bumpers and four tailpipes will feature as Mercedes seeks to maintain its dominance of this ultra rarified market. The CLS55 AMG will have a supercharged 5.4 litre V8 stuffed under the bonnet matched up to the new seven speed auto transmission. A top speed electronically limited to 250kph and a 0-100kph time in the mid four seconds will satisfy just about any enthusiast.
If however you are not satisfied with this then wait another year or so for the non-supercharged four valve per cylinder 6.3 litre V8 CLS that will offer up at least 368kW. The 6.3 litre designation harks back to Mercs first super saloon the 300SEL 6.3 which had a top speed of 137mph, making it the fastest production four door sedan in the world (at least until the 144mph Phase 111 GT HO came along!) The CLS63 AMG will offer an altogether different driving experience to the current force fed AMG V8s, and we can't wait.
If that isn't enough, then hold out for the CLS 65 AMG with its ballisitc 6.0 litre V12 with 450kW and a 1000Nm of torque. Just a twinkling in Uncle AMg's eye at the moment, the CLS65 AMG is nonetheless on the list of future product.
Jaguar S-Type-R -- Feline with a ferocious roar
And last but by no means least is the upcoming Jaguar S-Type R that will feature an updated 4.4-litre supercharged V8 good for at least 335kW and a top speed of 250km/h. A 0-100 time under five seconds is a given thanks to Jaguar's third generation alloy body and structure which will keep weight to around 1600kg -- 200kg less than the current S-Type R.
CarPoint's source within Jaguar Australia couldn't comment on the S-Type R, due in 2008, but say that the quinteseential Jaguar essence of grace, space and pace will very much be a part of the future. The current model S-Type R has not been a huge seller for Jaguar locally (or overseas) and a lot of the reason for that has been a lack of outright performance and a compromised interior package. A facelift in September 2004 may address the packaging issue on the current model, but any wholesale changes -- and indeed performance improvements -- will have to wait until the new model in 2007.