G-Power sets new 4 door sedan top speed record with M5 Hurricane RS

Top speed numbers are all about bragging rights, but how many owners of said supercars actually drive them to even half of their limit? The likelihood that one can find a long enough track to sustain speeds over 200 miles per hour, let alone have the cahones to do so is slim. But if you could arrange a top speed race with someone that owns some form of two door supercar, this would be your opportunity to embarrass that someone with your four door speed demon.



Brabus has long held the four door speed record, first with E V12 that hit 206 mph in 1996 and most recently upping that mark to later upping the mark to 227.23 mph with the CLS "Rocket". With that number set in their sights, BMW tuner G-Power took an upgraded version of their M5 Hurricane to the ATP High-Seed test track in Papenburg, Germany last month hoping to set a new record. That they did, eclipsing the Rocket's top speed with a best run of 228.4 mph. Lest Brabus seek to take back the title, G-Power claims that they can improve on the number by increasing the boost from the twin superchargers mounted to the BMW's V10.





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After the record for the world's fastest BMW sedan, G-POWER did it again and broke the long-standing record of the BRABUS Rocket for the fastest sedan in the world.



In November 2008 the 750 hp strong G-POWER M5 HURRICANE RS realised a top speed of 228,4 mph. This speed has been clocked and certified at the ATP High-Seed test track in Papenburg. With it the since October 2006 valid record of 365,7 km/h has been broken.



The G-POWER high-speed world record has been realised with a 20 hp stronger evolution of the famous G-POWER M5 HURRICANE which has been clocked with 360 km/h earlier in 2008 and holds the record for the fastest BMW sedan. The extra power of the G-POWER M5 HURRICANE RS is the result of two modified superchargers from G-POWER's technology partner ASA, with enlarged capacity. In the following the boost level of the G-POWER BI-Kompressor system could be raised from 0,7 bar rel. to 0,8 bar rel.



But still the G-POWER BI-Kompressor system has not yet reached its limit. According to CEO and engineer Christian Stöber:" ...we can rise the boost level up to 1,0 bar rel. and more" and CEO Zoran Zorneke is of the opinion:" we can still improve, if we see the need for it."



We are curious if this will be necessary...

2008 Mercedes Brabus Bullit Black Arrow

Just how fast is too fast? Most humans barely ever experience 150 mph in a car, let alone 200 mph. Can anyone really tell the difference between 195 mph and 200 mph? Once you experience speed in this elite range, it can be hard to tell the difference.



"It's not so much the actual experience that counts, but the imagination of what it might be like to do 200, 210, or 220 mph," says a grinning Ulrich Gauffrés, the head honcho of Brabus's R&D department. "With the long axle ratio, the Mercedes Brabus Bullit Black Arrow could theoretically exceed 230 mph. But because of the extreme mix of power, torque, and load, we pull the plug at 350 kph [217 mph]. Incidentally, all our customers so far have opted for the more explosive but ultimately less dramatic shorter final-drive ratio."



Four of these uber sedans have been built to date, none have exceeded 196 mph as of yet. That's fast by any one's standards except for maybe the firm that builds them, Brabus, who has a long history of building fast Mercs. Plant your foot on the gas pedal and general mayhem ensues. Tires spin uncontrollably, the rear tries to take over the front. But when your punishing the rear axle with 974 lb ft of torque, that can be expected. As a matter of fact, the bad Brabus has to be chip restricted to 811 lb ft to somewhat protect the rest of the drivetrain.



Masochists can opt for the total package by opting for the matte black finish for an extra $6200.



Powering this freight train is a 6.2-liter twin-turbo V-12 that musters 720 hp at 5100 rpm and serves up 811 lb-ft of torque from 2100 rpm. Compared with the twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter unit that it's based on (the one that powers Mercedes-Benz's S600, CL600, and SL600 models), the uprated engine features a longer-stroke crankshaft, bigger-bore cylinders, special pistons and connecting rods, high-performance camshafts, and a free-flow exhaust that's brutal enough to crack an egg from a mile away.



The transmission is a five speed automatic, which is reasonable since it's recommended that you keep both hands on the wheel to prevent being embarrassed. Traction and stability control help, too, as do the 285/30YR-19 rear Yokohamas, which are a little fatter than the 265/30YR-19 footwear on the front wheels. Other chassis upgrades include beefier antiroll bars, a wider track, high-performance brakes, and a specially prepared ten-way-adjustable spring and damper setup. Extra money buys carbon-ceramic brake discs, but the standard setup is better-suited for everyday use. Combining twelve-pot fixed calipers and 15.0-inch rotors in the front with six-piston calipers and 14.2-inch discs in the back, the Bullit decelerates with vigor.



the 4079-pound Bullit will accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds, according to Brabus. After 10.5 seconds, the Bullit reaches 124 mph. Give it fourteen more seconds, and it will thunder past 186 mph, still gaining momentum. While lesser cars like the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG or the BMW M5 start to run out of steam at 155 mph, the monster from Brabus keeps charging ahead. To save stress and fuel, fifth gear is summoned relatively early, but there is still so much oomph on tap that this maximum Merc doesn't run into an invisible wall until an indicated 202 mph, which is all the relatively short 2.65:1 axle permits.



Unfortunately, no Bullits will be officially sold in the U.S. For those who are so inclined, the asking price will be around $587,000 and up. But if you're a millionaire looking for an outrageously fun toy, this car's for you.