The year 2011 was one spent behind the wheel of many a fast car. Some took us by complete surprise and ended up in the CAR record books. Here we list the 10 cars that were able to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in fewer seconds than many of us take to change our minds.
Nissan GT-R Black AT
0-100 km/h: 3,45 seconds
Price: R1 364 000
Engine: V6/3 799
Power: 390 kW at 6 400 r/min
Torque: 612 N.m at 3 200 r/min
Max speed: 315 km/h
Test issue: September 2011
Killarney track time: 1:19,79
We said: “It bowled over the whole CAR team. It’s simply a triumph.”
BMW M5
0-100 km/h: 4,38 seconds
Price: R1 145 500
Engine: V8/4 395
Power: 412 kW at 6 000 r/min
Torque: 680 N.m at 1 500 r/min
Max speed: 250 km/h
Test issue: January 2012 (Performance Shootout issue)
Killarney track time: n/a
We said: “The M5 punches up or down the gearbox on demand with a level of immediacy that few would have experienced in any other car.”
Audi R8 Spyder 5,2 Quattro R Tronic
0-100 km/h: 4,42 seconds
Price: R2 169 140
Engine: V10/5 204
Power: 386 at 8 000 r/min
Torque: 530 N.m at 6 500 r/min
Max speed: 313 km/h
Test issue: January 2011
Killarney track time: n/a
We said: “The R8 Spyder is one of the most sensational cars on the roads today.”
Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG
0-100 km/h: 4,58 seconds
Price: R2 230 700
Engine: V8/5 461
Power: 400 kW at 5 500 r/min
Torque: 800 N.m at 2 000 r/min
Max speed: 250 km/h
Test issue: April 2011
Killarney track time: 1:27,38
We said: “If a buyer seeks grace, pace and space, the CL does the job admirably.”
Porsche Cayman R
0-100 km/h: 4,61 seconds
Price: R839 000
Engine: H6/3 436
Power: 243 kW at 7 400 r/min
Torque: 370 N.m at 4 750 r/min
Max speed: 280 km/h
Test issue: October 2011
Killarney track time: n/a
We said: “The Porsche Cayman R will blow your socks off.”
Audi RS3
0-100 km/h: 4,63 seconds
Price: R525 000
Engine: 5/5 2 480
Power: 250 kW at 5 400 r/min
Torque: 450 N.m at 1 600 r/min
Max speed: 250 km/h
Test issue: January 2012 (Performance Shootout issue)
Killarney track time: n/a
We said: “(The RS3’s) phenomenal grip, sharp brakes and low-end grunt saw Deon (Jobert) slowly warm up to its charms.”
Audi RS5 Coupé Quattro S tronic
0-100 km/h: 4,71 seconds
Price: R907 540
Engine: V8/4 163
Power: 331 kW at 8 250 r/min
Torque: 430 kW at 4 000 r/min
Max speed: 250 km/h
Test issue: March 2011
Killarney track time: n/a
We said: “It’s styled on the sweeping lines of the A5 coupé, is gifted with 331 kW of V8 power, sports the latest incarnation of Auid’s legendary Quattro all-wheel drive technology and successfully offers the kind of best-of-all-worlds versatility that executive buyers in this segment.”
BMW M3 Frozen Edition
0-100 km/h: 4,8 seconds
Price: n/a
Engine: V8/3 999
Power: 330 kW at 8 400 r/min
Torque: 420 N.m at 3 900 r/min
Max speed: 250 km/h
Test issue: May2011
Killarney track time: 1:23,76
We said: “The M3 Frozen was tailored to be nothing but hard-edged and awe-inspiring. There’s nothing quite like it – that’s why you want one.”
Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG
0 – 100 km/h: 4,82 seconds
Price: R1 319 500
Engine: V8/5 250
Power: 386 kW at 5 250 r/min
Torque: 700 N.m at 1 700 r/min
Max speed: 250 km/h
Test issue: January 2012 (Performance Shootout issue)
Killarney track time: 1:24,06
We said: “The AMG powerplant’s torque delivery is seamless and the transmission is slick.”
BMW 1 Series M Coupe
0 – 100 km/h: 5,1 seconds
Price: R546 392
Engine: 6/2 979
Power: 250 kW at 5 900 r/min
Torque: 450 N.m at 1 500 r/min
Max speed: 250 km/h
Test issue: August 2011 and January 2012 (Performance Shootout issue)
Killarney track time: 1:24,81
We said: “This is a car that begs to driven properly and will entertain, reward and excite owners for many thousands of happy miles.”
