When it comes to performance numbers, automakers are often conservative.
When discussing performance cars, horsepower and torque are important numbers. This is often what people debate in forums about which car is the best. After receiving its new BMW from IND Distribution, an Illinois-based tuner company, the company went straight to the dyno (after completing all the necessary break-in procedures). The company found a four-door sedan with more power than the automaker claimed.
BMW claims the new BMW M5 produces 600 horsepower and 553 pound feet of torque thanks to its 4.4-liter biturbocharged engine. The sedan can reach 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds thanks to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
However, IND’s M5 was unable to match BMW’s claims of output when it was tested on the dyno. IND’s M5 was able to produce 625 horsepower and 608 pound-feet torque. IND’s best run was in fifth gear with the M5 and all-wheel drive engaged. With rear-wheel drive engaged, Sport Plus mode was activated and the M5 in sixth gear produced a maximum power output of 593 horsepower and 578 lbft. The M5 reached the speed limit at 152 mph (244 km/h) during the sixth-gear run. IND also found that the M5 loses only 15 horsepower when it is in Efficiency mode. These are impressive numbers for a sedan that is otherwise a stock performance.
BMW may be faking the M5’s power output numbers. This could only mean that the Competition Package to the M5 should produce greater than the 625 horsepower claimed in the rear. This would be fantastic news for enthusiasts.
This is not a new phenomenon. When it comes to torque and horsepower, automakers are well-known for making conservative claims. They don’t want to overestimate power output or underestimate the sprint to 60 mph. Bad press would be a mountain of work, which is the last thing an automaker wants to do. Of course, power differences can be quite similar. Automakers sometimes like to have a buffer in order to be safe.