German Car Zone

The Car and Driver article is now online.

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...1-carrera.html

1st Place
Mercedes SL550 - 223 points
7 speed auto

Highs: Big torquey engine, brilliant tranmission, solid build, lucid steering fell.
Lows: The sticker (as usual).
The Verdict: Convincingly superior in so many ways.

0-60 - 4.9
0-100 - 12.1
0-130 - 21
1/4 mile - 13.5 @ 106
rolling 5-60 - 5.2
30-50 - 2.8
50-70 - 3.6
70-0 - 159
300 foot skidpad, g - .84

2nd Place
Porsche Carrera - 210 points
5 speed auto.

Highs: Sporty character, intimate drving position, fast top operation.
Lows: Sluggish transmission, bouncy handling, just adequate-power.
The Verdict: Not a hard-core 911, but nice.

0-60 - 5.2
0-100 - 12.5
0-130 - 22.7
1/4 mile - 13.8 @ 105
rolling 5-60 - 5.6
30-50 - 3.1
50-70 - 3.5
70-0 - 150
300 foot skidpad, g - .92

3rd Place
Jaguar XK - 209 points
6 speed auto.

Highs: Stable chassis, amazing ride-and-handling compromise, responsive transmission.
Lows: Poor softtop fit, some electronic, glitches.
The Verdict: An impressive new Jaguar.

0-60 - 6.0
0-100 - 15.3
0-130 - 30.2
1/4 mile - 14.7 @ 98
rolling 5-60 - 6.3
30-50 - 2.6
50-70 - 3.6
70-0 - 163
300 foot skidpad, g - .87

4th Place
BMW 650i - 196 points - Note that the 650i was last in the fun to drive category
6 speed auto.

Highs: Great engine, usable four-seat space, rich demeanor.
Lows: Anesthetic isolation, a heavyweight, controversial styling, bland personality.
The Verdict: Super luxurious, but the victim of a BMW-ectomy.

0-60 - 5.5
0-100 - 13.4
0-130 - 23.7
1/4 mile - 14.0 @ 102
rolling 5-60 - 5.7
30-50 - 2.7
50-70 - 4.1
70-0 - 161
300 foot skidpad, g - .91

5th Place
Cadillac - 188 points
6 speed auto.

Highs: Refinement, performance versatility.
Lows: High price, cramped quarters, questionable styling, attenuated driver involvement.
The Verdict: A good choice if you must be seen in a domestic vehicle.

0-60 - 4.6
0-100 - 11.0
0-130 - 18.8
1/4 mile - 13.0 @ 109
rolling 5-60 - 5.0
30-50 - 2.4
50-70 - 3.3
70-0 - 173
300 foot skidpad, g - .83

wow so another test where the FL SL winns..or is this the same test?

I guess the surprise here is the placement of the Jag and the BMW respectively. I guess the controversial styling is the rear end of the 650i. Anasthetic isolation - interesting - I guess BMW is still out of favor with these magazines.

sure the styling bit is a personall thing..
but last in the fun to drive category..thats something you dont hear about a bimmer every day

That's true. It really sounds like BMW will have to stay in the dog house for some time longer while the Car & Driver editors cool off from being so totally disgusted by some of the design features of the latest BMWs.

Design is one thing, but how come the drive was so terrible? The XK is way overrated in my opinion. It doesn't look anything special on the road, I have seen quite a few, though I do like the interior.

Any idea if the 6er had the sport package? I'm trying to figure out why they hated it so much.

I also read this at a news stand. Interesting comment for the BMW, nothing about the driving experience or the handling. BMW used to win all the tests with its driving ability, steering feel and fun factor...Especially American Tests.

But the Porsche was like neutered. Automatic, NON-S version. I think a Manual CarreraS Cabrio would have given the SL a run for its money, but then it falls out of the parameters of the comparo. But regardless cross-shopers would probably go for a S with a 6-Speed...

Kudos to the MB for making such a great car better.

Trust me - the XK taking honors over the 650 is a laugh.

This just shows that when a BMW doesn't bring the sportiness it is nothing special. Car and Driver has been critical of the 6-Series since day one. The outgoing CLK55 AMG beat the 645Ci a few years back at C&D also.

I can see where the Jaguar being new would defeat a BMW that doesn't trade on BMW's usually stellar road manners.

M