So Many Next-Gen German Sports Sedans, So Little Time
So, you want something with four-doors, blazing speed and sharp handling? Germany has got you covered. Photos have leaked of the next generation of Teutonic supersedans, giving an insight into a new wave of four-door performance. First up is the BMW M5, which is set to debut at the forthcoming Shanghai Auto Show, displaying the 560 HP sedan in remarkable detail. In response, Audi has let its own turbo-V8 luxury sedan be snapped in testing, even though the S6 shown here won’t be a true M5 competitor, offering “only” around 440 HP. A twin-turbo version making an M5-rivaling 555 HP is said to be waiting for the RS6, as well as a Bentley Continental GT V8. [Gallery after the jump]
Want something a little smaller? Audi has also had a test mule for its RS4 Wagon caught testing, and though its exterior looks don’t betray much, lurking under the hood is the RS5’s V8 making 450 HP. Down the road, says Auto Motor und Sport, the S6’s turbo-V8 could make it into a facelifted version with “no more than” 500 HP (think European release in 2012, US thereafter). Finally, Autobild isn’t sure if the next-generation of C63 AMG Black Series will get the older 6.3 liter AMG V8 “making at least 500 hp” or if it will jump on the new V8 turbo bandwagon, with the CLS63 AMG’s 5.5 liter turbocharged unit, which could easily make over 550 HP. Meanwhile, Porsche now offers a Turbo S version of its Panamera four-door, making 550 HP and accelerating to 60 MPH in 3.8 seconds. And, for a nominal fee, Porsche’s Sport Chrono package will boost the Turbo S’s torque from 553 foot-pounds to 590.
In any case, the new generation of German bahn-burning sedans proves that the Horsepower Wars aren’t exactly over, but have devolved into trench warfare. With the advent of the turbocharged V8 as the standard for performance sedans, the Germans are getting more power while keeping an eye on European carbon emissions standards. With both large and small sports sedans coming from each of the three German luxury brands with 500+ HP, it seems that the glory days of supersedans have a new lease on life.
More by Edward Niedermeyer
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The E39 M5 was a sweet machine, easily worthy of the ultimate driving machine character. The E60 M5 was an ugly rolling computer with an unusable transmission. My guess is that the F10 M5 will have a lot more in common with the latter rather than the former. By far the most everyday usable German performance machines are the Audi S and RS cars. See what happens to your M or AMG when you hit some ice or standing water. Try and floor it on a lose surface. The stability control will come down like an anvil and you will be going NOWHERE. For a track day, I'll take an M3, provided somebody has put decent brakes on it. For every other day, give me the S6.
I hate to be the bearer of honesty here.. I dont see much of a selection "something with four doors"? This is a car website.. right? Ya can name all of the cars by their displacement and where they are made? "Something with four doors?" Last time I looked.. I never asked anyone what I wanted in a car, I get told. As for as what is visible.. I see a M5 4dr sedan, a RS4 (wagon), a RS5 and a C class sedan with a AMG package... TWO cars bathed in shiny primer.. the other two are using black? Where is the choice?! Ya got 1 wagon, 3 sedans, 2 in black and 2 in shiny primer?! How bout ya give me a 5 series wagon, with a monster V8 with a twin scroll turbo, with a cloth interior, a manual and NO NAV! THAT.. would be a choice.