Don't be ridiculous... (archive)

Obviously, power is a function of torque and rpms, so higher peak torque translates into more power across the power band and higher power at every point in the power curve. Two cars with equal power outut but different torque will build power at different rates, and one will require more revs to achieve the same power. Since the M5 has significantly greater peak torque, it will build power faster and have a power to weight advantage at every point of the power band until 6600 rpms, when it is almost even (although the M5 still has an advantage).

If 'at speed' is vague to you (you seem to be the only one having trouble with this), let me explain it. I mean beyond the point where traction is a factor. Now on the street, that means the point where you come up alongside an M5 in your M3 and you both gun it. That's the point where the M5's wt/torque advantage means he'll leap ahead of you by a car length or two. It also means that, by virtue of it's greater torque, power builds faster, so that you wont catch him.

Now if you want to make comparisons, why dont you compare apples to apples, not apples to orangutans. Imagine you come across a shiny new 240 hp S2000 while driving a 240 hp M roadster, if you have an M car. Remember the 'at speed' thing? Same situation. Both of you punch the gas. Who's gonna get the initial jump? The 240 hp 236 lb-ft M roadster or the 240 hp 153 lb-ft S2000? Hmmmm, not exactly rocket science is it? The lower torque of the S2000 means it has to go deep into the rpm range to start singing. Peak power at 8000 rpms means he'll be looking at your taillights until you decide to slow, desite the fact that he has a peak power/wt advantage.

Why dont you take a look at the respective 30-50, 50-70 and 0-130 times for those 2 cars. Or better yet, wait till the M3 comes out and compare them with the numbers for the M5, and get back to me then.

Mark G

Follow Ups:

Your making some poor assumptions BobP 06:49 4/05/2000 (1)
- No. Mark G 10:14 4/05/2000 (0)
Actually.... Ben (not same as ^) 02:40 4/04/2000 (2)
- Re: Actually.... Mark G 10:17 4/04/2000 (1)
  - Your probably right (eom) Ben 21:40 4/04/2000 (0)

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