Car & Driver 5-60mph test...often ignored

[PC Valkyrie]

We all know that most car magazines try to optimize the 0-60mph or 0-100km/h times by launching manual transmission cars at high rpm or by brake-torquing automatic transmission cars. By starting the car at higher rpm's, the car gets to jump off the line in or near their peak torque range.

In my opinion, this really doesn't represent real world acceleration contests. Most people don't want to sacrifice the longeivity of their transmission very often, even if they want to have some fun. Car & Driver is the only car magazine that measures the rolling 5-60mph times. It is indeed interesting to see how much slower cars can be when you take away that launch advantage.

Looking back at some Car & Driver magazines I have, here are some numbers for some cars of interest. All cars here have a manual transmission except for the C32 and C55. And yes, Car & Driver finally tested the new RS4 in their latest issue.....

RS4 (0-60/5-60mph)
4.6/5.4 seconds

S4
5.0/5.9

S4 (tested a 2nd time)
5.1/6.1

M3
4.8/5.3

C32
5.2/5.8

C55
4.7/4.9

It is very surprising that the RS4 loses so much time when you take away the launch. Even the discontinued M3 and C55 can match or even beat the RS4 in this situation...

If people are interested, I can see if I can find the numbers for the E55/M5/S6/RS6.

 

[Zafiro]

60mph is too low speeds for me to caught attention, those acceleration figures arent important to me. I only care about 0-124mph or 50-100mph or 60-124mph figures. Higher speeds that is.

 

[Michael]

PC very good thread here. I understand your point of view and it is quite interesting. Although I know where Just Me is coming from, here in the states I would much rather prefer knowing the 0-60 and 5-60 than the 0-124 or whatever. The reason for this is that rarely on the street you will be able to get to 124 most of the time, however, 60 is very attainable in mayn expressways and roads.

I find it interesting that the S4 is that slow. My friend has an S4, and the car does feel rather slow when you do a 5-60. I have not done but, but I have been going about 6-10mph and then floored it. I can feel the heaviness of the car. Eventually the momentum kills the heavy feel and the car no longer has the problem.

 

[PC Valkyrie]

60mph is too low speeds for me to caught attention, those acceleration figures arent important to me. I only care about 0-124mph or 50-100mph or 60-124mph figures. Higher speeds that is.

Take it easy.....you don't have to sound so defensive.

Where and how often do you go so fast (above 100mph) on everyday streets? And do you intend to launch your car at high rpm everytime?

For most people who want to have fun and stay within "reasonable" limits on the street, those high speed numbers (>100mph) have virtually no relevance.

Do you have high speed autobahns with no speed limits in Sweden?

 

[Michael]

Where and how often do you go so fast (above 100mph) on everyday streets? And do you intend to launch your car at high rpm everytime?

Well more often than not people here in the states do launch spiking RPMS like crazy. To me it is that they are unaware of the long term damage this can have biggest they just watch movie after movie of this kind of stuff being done.

 

[Zafiro]

Take it easy.....you don't have to sound so defensive.

Where and how often do you go so fast (above 100mph) on everyday streets? And do you intend to launch your car at high rpm everytime?

For most people who want to have fun and stay within "reasonable" limits on the street, those high speed numbers (>100mph) have virtually no relevance.

Do you have high speed autobahns with no speed limits in Sweden?

Sorry not my intention to sound defensive.

Anyway, I drive a lot of over 60mph. All races I done and been in is above 60 mph. The freeway is a good place for it and will have a lot of freeways in Sweden. If you have a fast car you rarely obey the laws, then it would be no point owning one. Thats what I think and I hoep you can live with my opinions Below 60 is boring, life start above 60.

 

[Michael]

I don't agree completely. The only thing I have to say is that I truly thing that a fast car can be enjoyed below 60. Think about a Porsche or a BMW driving in a curvy mountain terrain. You really get a feel for a car that is a fast sports car when it can take a curve at 40mph. Just my 0.02cents

 

[Zafiro]

I don't agree completely. The only thing I have to say is that I truly thing that a fast car can be enjoyed below 60. Think about a Porsche or a BMW driving in a curvy mountain terrain. You really get a feel for a car that is a fast sports car when it can take a curve at 40mph. Just my 0.02cents

I want action and want to feel Im alive. Of course you can have fun below 60 but the feeling of driving fast is so intense. You own a fast car or drive a fast car, you want to feel you actually driving and focus on the speeds and your car. Yes its dangerous and its a huge risk, Im full aware of that.

my 0.02 cents and its my opinion and im entitled to say this Sorry we dont share the same on this but thats okey, its my life and its yours This thread was about 5-60 so go ahead and discuss it. I wont hate you for discussing it

 

[Michael]

I want action and want to feel Im alive. Of course you can have fun below 60 but the feeling of driving fast is so intense. You own a fast car or drive a fast car, you want to feel you actually driving and focus on the speeds and your car. Yes its dangerous and its a huge risk, Im full aware of that.

my 0.02 cents and its my opinion and im entitled to say this Sorry we dont share the same on this but thats okey, its my life and its yours This thread was about 5-60 so go ahead and discuss it. I wont hate you for discussing it

Of course you are entitled to your opinion. No one here, at least I, is reprimanding you are anything else. What is up with you?

I understand where you are coming from but I was merely introducing another way of enjoying a fast car. I love to go fast as well, and whether it is safe or not that is my business, however, we very well know it is your own opinion and no one here is challenging it.

 

[Zafiro]

What is up with you?

Nothing, Im just venting. Im the same person as yesterday. Im the same person that always often dont share the same view as others.
I have said mine and 0-60 times dont intrest me much so obviosly I should stay away from this subject. Guys, enjoy your 5-60 talk, just ignore me and my views regarding higher speeds becuase thats not relevant to this subject. Pardon me.

 

[donau]

60 - 130 mph times are very popular with the P-car crowd. Currently on Rennlist there is a thread on the 993 T forum of more than 820 posts as of today where people are posting their times, with hard proof of course. It is pretty interesting since some of those cars are really fast. There is a modded 89 930 that is probably faster than the Enzo. But then again, that 930 makes ~734 rwhp.

But anyway, whether it is 5-60 or 60-130, still a much better idea than 0-60.

OK, the real reason for this post is that I did not want to leave my post count at 666

 

[PC Valkyrie]

Dug up some older Car & Driver magazines to get some perspective about some other cars of interest.

RS6 (0-60/5-60mph)
4.4/5.5 seconds

E39 M5
4.9/5.3

E60 M5
4.2/4.6

E55 AMG
4.3/4.7

CLS55 AMG
4.2/4.5

Again, it appears the Audi loses out the most when you take away the launch. I'll add other cars of interest to this thread as I slowly look at older Car & Driver mags. Next up, I'll try to look at the SLK55/M Roadster/Boxter S times.

 

[PC Valkyrie]

Time to revive this thread. The 5-60mph time that C&D measures is VERY relevant to everday driving situations and "encounters", as launching a car from 0-60mph can be very variable between drivers and situations, especially with manual transmission cars.

Here are some times for some of our favourite 2 seat roadsters.

SLK55 AMG (0-60mph/5-60mph)
4.3/4.6 seconds

Z4 M Roadster
4.6/5.1 seconds

Boxter S (the original Boxter S engine, rather than the upgraded Cayman S engine for this year)
5.1/5.9 seconds

And here are some times for some of our favourite 2 seat coupes.

Z4 M Coupe (0-60mph/5-60mph)
4.8/5.4 seconds

Cayman S
4.8/5.5 seconds

The Porsche cars seem to lose the most in this scenario if you take away the high rpm launch.

 

[Zafiro]

PC Valkyrie, any numbers for 335i?

 

[PC Valkyrie]

Another few cars of interest (to me and hopefully to most of you).

CLK63 AMG cabriolet (0-60/5-60mph)
4.2/4.4 seconds

335i coupe
4.9/5.6

335i sedan
4.8/5.6

 

[Zafiro]

Another few cars of interest (to me and hopefully to most of you).

CLK63 AMG cabriolet (0-60/5-60mph)
4.2/4.4 seconds

335i coupe
4.9/5.6

335i sedan
4.8/5.6

numbers for CLK550 or CLK350?

 

[GTA45E]

Wow, the 63 models are really quick!! good info V, I believe the 0-60mph 0-100 or even 150mph is a scientific way to show us what these cars a capable of. American car mags really do a good job in showing what the cars themselves are capable of from a scientific point of view.

 

[Zafiro]

I dont know if its someting american carmags meassure. Many european carmags does it and I find it very useful. Im talking about how long it take for a car to achieve a certain speed with different gears. For example this:

50 - 90 Km/h
80 - 100 Km/h
80 - 120 Km/h
80 - 160 Km/h
80 - 180 Km/h
80 - 200 Km/h

Is this something american carmags does?

 

[PC Valkyrie]

numbers for CLK550 or CLK350?

No, C&D have not tested the CLK350 or CLK550, but I do have the numbers for:

C350 (0-60/5-60mph)
5.5/6.3

SL550
4.9/5.2

 

[PC Valkyrie]

I dont know if its someting american carmags meassure. Many european carmags does it and I find it very useful. Im talking about how long it take for a car to achieve a certain speed with different gears. For example this:

50 - 90 Km/h
80 - 100 Km/h
80 - 120 Km/h
80 - 160 Km/h
80 - 180 Km/h
80 - 200 Km/h

Is this something american carmags does?

C&D does perform the following tests in TOP GEAR when they do a full test:
30-50mph
50-70mph

If you're interested, maybe we can start a new thread about that.