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Just_me · **Autocar: 997 Turbo vs M6 -** 09-19-2006, 10:11 AM

"In the recent times, the Porsche 997 Turbo and BMW M6 are everybody dream cars. To find out the better of the two, we travelled all the way to Germany for an extensive road test. This will be the world's first major comparsion in the planet between these two mouth-watered machines.

After a thorogh test, both cars show their amazing potential. However, the way these cars express are very different. Although the car has different characteristics, we can be sure that anyone can become the hero of Autobahn if they are behind the wheel of either one of them.

Performance Test:
Driving in southern Germany, Thomas (the photographer) is driving in frotn of me in the M6 while im behind the wheel of the 997 Turbo, I felt that sweat is dripping off my neck because of the pouring rain outside of the cockpit. I was thinking, "although the turbo's horsepower figures cannot match M6's, but i should have a slight advantage because of AWD."

At 60mph, I floor the throttle, with the tremdeous power provided by the flat 6 TT engine, I close up upon M6's tail. However, noticing my car coming up fast, Thomas floored the gas pedal as well. Under the power provided by the V10 engine, the M6 shot out like a bullet , he advanced 20m ahead of me and into the pouring horizon. I continue to floor the gas pedal hard, until 100mph, I finally see the M6's tail again and Im closing up on him.

Power at top end:
In the autobahn, it is the best place in the world to test the car's top end power. M6 infront suddenly acclerate, from 95mph to 155mph took only the time required to swallow my saliva. (chinese slang) Seeing the M6 showing off, I gas the pedal as well and follow, acclerating up to 155mph! The power of the 911 has not disappoint the Porsche's fans. From 95-155mph, the M6 did not gain slight advantage. Although we didnt have the chance to go beyond 155mph, our engineers estimate that it will be a good match, however, the drag coefficent would be a big factor, and we suspect that the Turbo would have a slight lead.

Turbo's power is separated into levels:
On the highway, if i want to overtake any cars, all I have to do is press the sport button, downshift to second gear, and I will be approaching 130mph fast! The engine is very superior. Beyond 130mph, the engine power feels more significant than before! The most surprising thing is that although Im running at 100mph, I do not feel like im "going fast". The cabin makes the driver feel very stable and steady.

M6's 8000rpm V10!:
This engine feels very different compare to the turbo's. No matter at what speed im going at, as long as rpm is beyond 5000rpm, the engine revs without hestiation until it revs to 8600prm(redline). However, at speeds beyond 155mph, the stabliity is noticably less stable than the 911.

Handling:
On the road, both cars handle very well since both cars can pull their bodies to the apex without difficulty. however, with awd and sport suspension, the 997 turbo goes around the corners much quicker than the M6 and allows the driver to "late brake" in every corner. Esepecially on wet surfaces, I felt nervous cornering at high speeds because of its unstable characteristics. To bring out the absolute potential of the M6, you will need to be a professional racing driver. On the other hand, 911 turbo is so forgiving and easy to control, therefore, most drivers can drive the 997 turbo to its maximum potential.

The technology:
M6: This car is filled with high technolgoy gadgets. For instance, there is a rev counter, speedtrometer on the windshield. Furthermore, the gearbox (SMG) has different settings, so the drivers can select what gearchange (with F1 paddle shifters) speed he/she desires. Also, the suspension can be stiffen up, the power can be increased from 400 to 507 with the push of a button. An impressive feature of the M6 is the carbon fiber roof, which lightens the M6 by a lot. M6 weights 1710kg, while the turbo weights 1620kg. With all the technology and the huge V10 stuffed into the M6, it should outweight the turbo by a lot, however, the BMW weightloss program is very significant which makes the M6 to weight "just" 90kg more than the turbo.

997 Turbo: There are new and old features that are seen before. The PSM, PASM are very well known by Porsche owners.[theres description, but ill skip because you guys know it all] the main headlight is VTG, variable turbine geometry. This technology fixes up the turo lag, it can obtain the benefits of Larger and Smaller turbos.
For instance, it will have the quick spool time of small turbos, but it will have the high top end power of bigger turbos.
The sport crono package, which allows the user to activate an extra 60kNm to the car. Although the overboost only lasts for 10seconds, in that time, the cars you CANT overtake, could be counted with the fingers in your two hands.(another chinese slang)

Interior/Practicality:
Both cars are made very well for practiciality. However, obviously, with the extra seats and bigger interior space, the M6 will have the upper hand in this competition. Both cars have an incrediable interior finish.

Conclusion:
Performance wise: 997 turbo wins in the corners, but in the straights they are pretty even until speeds beyond 160mph.

Practicality wise: M6 has the upperhand because it has the bigger trunk space, interior and more seats. It also feels more "comfortable" than the 997 turbo.