Precast: Wiesmann, CL63 AMG, HEMI Slowdown?

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

Whatever you can (or cannot) say about BMW, the company makes some damn fine engines. Jay Shoemaker's review of the 335i hailed their direct injected twin turbo six pot as one of the finest powerplants ever to grace an engine bay, while Bimmer's Euro diesels eliminate any and all possible objections to the technology (smoke, vibration, cold start-up, etc.). No wonder low volume manufacturers of low weight sports cars hanker after powerplants made by the propeller people. The Ascari KZ1 rips through the time – space continuum with the previous gen M5's 4.0-liter BMW V8, Morgan's Aero 8 blurs your vision the X5's 4.4-liter V8, and Wiesmann's products get along rather nicely with either a 3.0-liter inline six or 4.8-liter BMW V8 (fitted to the GT pictured here). But the thing that really makes these cars fly is… design. You could call the Weismann's pastiche of Jaguar C-Type, Austin Healey and God Knows What slightly ungainly, but then I'd have to kill you. Besides, what would you rather have: a Go Like Hell But Look Like Everyone Else CL63 AMG Mercedes tank for $160k-ish or a WTF is That BMW-powered German thingie for the same wedge? The Mercedes obviously, but there are enough patrons of quirk to justify bringing the German roadster stateside. God bless capitalism.

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • Phil Phil on Sep 14, 2006

    Maybe i've been permanently Faragoed but the car illustrated brings to mind two luscious thighs surrounding an Audiesque flying vagina.

  • Doctorv8 Doctorv8 on Sep 14, 2006

    Looks like my previous post got deleted. The E39 M5 has always sported a 5 liter V8.....not 4.0 as stated in the intro paragraph. Even the 540's motor was actually 4.4L from 97-04. I want my liter back! ;-)

  • Liquidflorian Liquidflorian on Sep 14, 2006

    the Wiesmann is one sexy beast. I have to agree with what Chuck said in the first post. You can't help but wonder... You're new beatle-isation lost me..... The Camero can be a hoot with a v6 is it as fun to drive as it is to look at. I don't think the rip-snorting v8s have gone into the sunset either. They're getting better, and when GM catches up to the rest of the industry (or even their performance parts division) they should be something to behold.

  • Sajeev Mehta Sajeev Mehta on Sep 15, 2006

    I assume there will be a lot of HEMIs on used car lots when the Camaro hits the market.

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