Performance Trends

Canada First, .S. SecondAs great as many sport sedans are, the astounding BMW M5 is the benchmark by which all are judged. In Europe, it's still in production, using a 3.5-liter/315-horsepower inline-six; the most sporting 5-Series BMW available to North Americans has been the merely excellent 540i six-speed. But now the M540i, a 540i six-speed with all the styling and suspension refinements of the latest M5, is available in Canada and soon will be on sale in the U.S. It includes new 18-inch-diameter double-spoke wheels with P245/40ZR18 tires and a new floating-rotor braking system. Only 50 1995-model cars are slated for Canada, but 300 '96 models (200 six-speed manuals and 100 five-speed automatics) are expected in the U.S., probably with a new name. The car is priced at $85,000 in Canada (about $60,000 U.S.), but will likely run closer to $55,000 when it comes here.

The floating-rotor brake system is the most significant M5 improvement since the car last graced American shores in 1993. Instead of casting the rotor and hub assemblies as usual, the floating rotors are a multipiece assembly with anti-friction bearings between the swept portion of the rotor (where the pistons clamp on to slow the car) and the hub. As the rotor heats up under hard use, it can expand without causing any stress in the wheel hub. This type of system has been used extensively in competition, but this is its first application on road-going cars.

While the M540i shares its 4.0-liter/282-horse DOHC V-8 engine with the regular 540i, the extra ability of the M5's suspension and brakes should create a significantly more exciting driving experience. And it should tide us over until the new V-8-powered "true" M5 makes its appearance soon thereafter. Rumor has it that the M5 will have at least 400 horsepower-and if so, it'll need those exotic brakes.

Miata M EditionMazda expects its latest "M Edition" Miata to be the most collectible yet produced. So be on the lookout, because you wouldn't want your Miata collection to be incomplete, would you?

The '9511/42 M Edition will be in production for only six months, and it differs from previous M Editions in its Merlot Mica paint, larger-diameter 15-inch BBS alloy wheels, and low-back tan leather seats with embroidered Miata script. The car also gets the usual M stuff: a Nardi leather shift knob, air conditioning, polished sill plates, and an AM/FM/CD/cassette audio system. The new M carries all stock Miata mechanicals and a $23,530 pricetag.

Ford RumorsJust a few rumors from the blue-oval crew:

The next car to leave the Special Vehicle Team (SVT) stable will be a fortified Contour. After the SVT Mustang Cobra and F-150 Lightning, this will be the hot-rod shop's first sedan. In Europe, the Contour's brother, Mondeo, is already blasting around with all-wheel drive and turbocharged power. We expect, however, that the SVT Contour will remain front-drive and will be powered by a retuned Duratec DOHC 2.5-liter V-6.

We've also heard that Ford is experimenting with very high compression ratios (as high as 12.0:1) for its new 6.0-liter V-10 modular truck engine. Supposedly, the trick is a three-valve cylinder head that bleeds off some compression before detonation can rear its ugly head. It's not known if the three-valve heads are planned for production.

Finally, we've heard that the V-8-powered Mustang GTS is really, truly, honestly in production. A full test will take place soon.