Re: Autoweek on new M-Coupe
Hmm. Here we have a brand new car that nobody has driven yet and you are going to be happy when they re-design it and give it a different engine.
Beats me.
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KenH said:
"Is arrogance or complacency that stops Porsche worrying about such competition?"
I suspect that Porsche worry about the competition all the time but they are clever enough to know that horsepower numbers are not actually what it is all about.
And BTW the next M-Coupe will not have 400 bhp anyway, it will have the six cylinder engine from the current e46 M3 with about 330 bhp.
Yesterday I drove my M3 instead of my Cayman and I really don't care that the M3 has an extra 40 bhp and accelerates a little quicker - the Cayman is a far superior car to drive.
The best BMW M car I ever had (and I have had many) was an e30 M3 with about 195 bhp.
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KenH said:
"I'm not in the market for either car for another 2-3 years. As long as the redesigned MZ4 with a 400hp-V8 comes out and/or the Cayman gets an LSD and a bit more power by then, I'll be happy."
Hmm. Here we have a brand new car that nobody has driven yet and you are going to be happy when they re-design it and give it a different engine.
Beats me.
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KenH said:
"However, a lot of potential customers prioritise power and straight line acceleration - no one would buy an MB SLK 55AMG or Corvette otherwise. "
Don't you think that both of those cars are in somewhat different market segments to most Porsches?
I have several friends with AMGs and none of them have a clue about cars or driving and probably don't even know how much power or acceleration their cars have. All they want is the flashiest and most expensive Mercedes sports car they can afford. The younger ones go for the SLK and the older for the SL.
As for Corvette owners I had better not say because I will probably upset someone. I have owned two - but never again.
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KenH said:
In contrast the Cayman is a joy to drive at 30 mph or 50 mph on twisty roads. Every day on the way to the office I go through a set of bends at over 100 mph (I have a ticket for 109 mph to prove it). Typically in the M3 I will be doing 110-115 and in the Cayman 105-110 - but which is more enjoyable?
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HHG said:
February 2006 CAR magazine compared the Cayman S with the BMW M3 CS, Mercedes SLK55 AMG, and Nissan 350Z. CAR gave the nod to the Cayman S saying:
"If this disparate collection of giant test rivals proves anything, it's that the Cayman has no real direct competition. No mainstream manufacturer builds anything that meets the Cayman head-on."
We will have to wait and see what is said about the new M-Coupe.
Feb 3, 2006 6:42:29 PM
Quote:
Grant said:Quote:
HHG said:
February 2006 CAR magazine compared the Cayman S with the BMW M3 CS, Mercedes SLK55 AMG, and Nissan 350Z. CAR gave the nod to the Cayman S saying:
"If this disparate collection of giant test rivals proves anything, it's that the Cayman has no real direct competition. No mainstream manufacturer builds anything that meets the Cayman head-on."
We will have to wait and see what is said about the new M-Coupe.
Yeah, the only mainstream manufacturer that did was the Honda/Acura NSX. It is VERY similar in concept and performance, but cost more and is no longer built...
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HHG said:Quote:
Grant said:Quote:
HHG said:
February 2006 CAR magazine compared the Cayman S with the BMW M3 CS, Mercedes SLK55 AMG, and Nissan 350Z. CAR gave the nod to the Cayman S saying:
"If this disparate collection of giant test rivals proves anything, it's that the Cayman has no real direct competition. No mainstream manufacturer builds anything that meets the Cayman head-on."
We will have to wait and see what is said about the new M-Coupe.
Yeah, the only mainstream manufacturer that did was the Honda/Acura NSX. It is VERY similar in concept and performance, but cost more and is no longer built...
With the demise of the Acura NSX, Lotus and Porsche make the only mid-engine cars costing less than $100,000.
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MikeN said:
I doubt you will see a V8 in a BMW Z....at least not anytime soon. There would probably be space and packaging issues for it, and maybe even weight issues, but who knows....anything CAN be done. But really, a V8 would probably start turning the car into more of a GT than a sports car.....more like an MB SLK55. The present M3 motor is a great choice for the new Z4M......more in character for its mission.