Although I am not too convinced that the new model will have "about" the same peak power (per the latest BIMMERPOST
M3/M4 article), something around 395 ft lb torque, 420 hp and 7000 rpm is technically feasilbe (all the values and curves are reasonable). I'm sure hoping we get closer to 7500 rpm but certainly wouldn't guarantee it. In a prior post using 450 hp and a curb weight of about 3590. I came up with these prior predictions (full thread
here).
- 0-60 mph: 3.7 - 3.9 s
- 0-100 mph: 8.6 - 8.8 s
- 0-200 kph: 13.2 - 13.6 s (for our metric friends!)
- 1/4 mi time: 11.9 - 12.1 s
- 1/4 mi trap: 116 - 119 mph
- top speed: 190 - 193 mph (of course true, not indicated, indicated should be just shy of 200 mph)
- Nurburgring Nordschleife lap time (SportAuto): 7:53-7:58
Counting on a bit less weight (but certainly not meeting their goal of E46 M3 weight), I settled on 3475 lb for this next round of simulations. I've also used an 8 speed DCT transmission with 8th gear essentially as a an overdrive. Cutting to the chase here are some revised numbers:
- 0-60 mph: 3.7 - 3.9 s (unchanged)
- 0-100 mph: 9.1 - 9.3 s
- 0-200 kph: 14.2 - 14.6 s (for our metric friends!)
- 1/4 mi time: 12.0 - 12.3 s
- 1/4 mi trap: 114 - 117 mph
- top speed: 180 - 185 mph (of course true, not indicated)
- Nurburgring Nordschleife lap time (SportAuto): 7:55-7:59 (again assuming the tires are not basically street legal race rubber)
As you can see a decision to lower peak power and reduce weight, along the lines in this post, does not help things over their somewhat heavier but much more powerful concept. You might attribute the unchanged 0-60 time to its high torque, however, it is ultimately because it makes more power at lower rpm, perhaps saying the same thing. The much higher torque certainly does not help things overall.
The numbers are certainly a step up over the existing car. However, given competitors and what competitors will have in production by that time, I don't believe these numbers (and thus the power and weight I've used) are sufficient to be a strong class dominator.