Supersaloon showdown: Audi RS7 vs Porsche Panamera Turbo S Powerkit. 1100 hp of turbocharged V8-engines. Who is victorious?
Test results:
Audi RS7 (560 bhp)
0-100 km/h: 3.8s
0-160 km/h: 7.8s
0-200 km/h: 12.3s
0-400m: 11.8s
Porsche Panamera Turbo S Powerkit (540 bhp)
0-100 km/h: 3.8s
0-160 km/h: 7.9s
0-200 km/h: 12.5s
0-400m: 11.9s
New benchmark: the eighth generation of the world-wide best-seller features superior design, economical engines and state-of-the-art technologies
The impressive Volkswagen Design Centre in Potsdam served as the ideal setting for the world premiere of a world-wide best-seller: the new Passat. The most successful European business car makes its debut with new engines, less weight and not least with the latest assistance, Infotainment and convenience systems. The car melts away class boundaries.
”This Passat heralds in a new era: when it comes to design and proportions, engines and drive systems, Infotainment and assistance systems or when it is a matter of safety, convenience and driving pleasure,” explained Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen on the evening before 500 guests. The Group chief continued: ”The new Passat gives the right answers to the major automotive trends of its time. For me this Passat is a premium class car without premium costs. This fits perfectly to Europe’s most successful business car – lining up with 20 percent better fuel economy, up to 85 kilograms less weight and a range of efficient petrol and diesel engines – there is even a plug-in hybrid available.”
The two most powerful and fastest mid-engine sports models from Porsche are ready and raring to go: with uprated engines and excellent PASM chassis the Boxster GTS and Cayman GTS set new benchmarks for sportiness in their segment. The independent front and a modified rear end, blackened bi-xenon headlights – with the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) as standard – and exterior lettering in silky black gloss are subtle yet unmistakable features of the new top models. The name says it all: at Porsche “GTS” stands for Gran Turismo Sport and has promised outstanding Porsche performance ever since the legendary 904 Carrera GTS dating back to 1963. With the new two-seaters Porsche is renewing its commitment to authentic sports cars for both the racetrack and everyday use.
The six-cylinder boxer engines fitted in the new top models are based on the 3.4-litre engines from the Boxster S and Cayman S respectively. Thanks to optimised fine tuning they now deliver an additional 15 hp (11 kW). This means that the Boxster GTS now has an output of 330 hp (243 kW), whilst the Cayman GTS delivers 340 hp (250 kW). The torque has also increased by ten newton metres in each model. What’s more, the Sport Chrono package is a standard feature in both mid-engine sports cars. This means that in conjunction with the optional Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) and the active Sport Plus button, the Boxster GTS sprints from 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, whilst the Cayman GTS is even a tenth of a second faster. Both vehicles therefore set new reference values.
The new BMW X4 (fuel consumption combined: 8.3–5.0* l/100 km [34.0–54.3 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 193–130* g/km) blends the hallmark features of the successful BMW X family with the sporting elegance of a classical coupe, and introduces the unique Sports Activity Coupe concept to the premium mid-size segment. Its dynamic pedigree is underlined by a wide range of cutting-edge high-performance engines, the xDrive all-wheel-drive system and an exclusive spread of standard equipment features such as variable sport steering, Performance Control and a sports leather steering wheel with gearshift paddles.
Extrovert and dynamic appearance.
The new BMW X4 is based on the technical blueprint of the BMW X3, but displays a sporting character very much its own and takes dynamics to another new level. That much is clear when you view the new model head-on. The large air intakes positioned on the outer edges of the front end and the character lines in the front apron allow the BMW X4 – with its signature BMW twin headlights and front fog lamps (both optionally with LED technology) – to maximise its visual presence on the road. The roofline reaches its highest point above the driver and then swoops down smoothly to the trailing edge of the tailgate, mimicking the design language of a classical sporting coupe. The signature swage line running along the flanks of BMW models is split into two on the X4. The first section rises dynamically from the front wheel arches to the rear door handles, while the second part draws the eye to the muscular sculpting of the rear wings. The rear end, complete with L-shaped LED lights in exclusive X4 design and diffuser-look styling, likewise highlights the outstanding dynamic ability of the new BMW X4 – even before it turns a wheel.
Lue lisää
+ Delivers amazing speeds also on winding roads
+ Travel comfort in a sporty car
+ Consumption and power in this class
– Price in Finland
– Door rubber seals swing out
– Front seat leather worn in a relatively new test car
We were convinced by the new BMW X5 F15 when we tested it and that’s why we decided to test the sportiest version, the BMW Motorsport tuned M50d. On paper it promises a lot from the same three-liter engine, which we found plenty strong already in the 30d. This version promises 381 horsepower (280 kW) thanks to triple-turbo technology and variable turbine geometry. Acceleration 0-100 km/h takes only 5.3 seconds and this was achived easily in the previous model (E70). Similar power can be found in the Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg, but they are equipped with less economical V8 diesel engine and are not available as 7-seaters.