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“Maybe not the most politically correct, but this V10 can’t
help but bring a smile to your face”
Graham Johnson, UKIP Media & Events
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Featuring some familiar entrants,
the Above 4-litre category at the International Engine of the
Year Awards 2008 sees BMW triumph
for the fourth year in a row. It may have lost out to Porsche
in the Best Performance Engine category, but the 5-litre has
held off competition from Ferrari and Mercedes-AMG, the latter
jumping from fifth in 2007 to runner-up this year.
The win here makes the 4,999cc powerplant the most successful
in Awards history, passing its 3.2-litre inline six stablemate
from the previous generation M3. With its nine trophies so far
in four years, there
is no reason why more accolades should not be bestowed on the
V10.
Technology plays a key role in
the success of the 90° vee engine, which is in soft- and
hard-top versions of the M6, as well as estate and saloon versions
of the 5-Series-based M5. The engine was the first to demonstrate
bi-VANOS variable valve timing, and those 10 flow-optimised
intake trumpets.
Weight-saving measures adopted to maximise performance on the
507bhp, 520Nm engine include compact, 5mm shaft valves and one-piece,
four-valve aluminium cylinder heads. Spherical valve tappets
with hydraulic valve play and single valve springs are also
used effectively.
Away from the physical properties of the engine, production
techniques ensure that passengers can rocket from zero to 100km/h
in just 4.7 seconds. The cylinder crankcases are cast using
a low-pressure gravity die method and made of hypereutectic
aluminium-silicon alloy, and coated with iron for added strength.
The combined effect of these factors ensure the V10 weighs nearly
the same as its V8 predecessor.
The fact that the engine’s blocks are cast in the same
factory as those for the company’s Formula 1 cars,
as well as the obvious technological links with motorsport,
is justification for Motor Trend’s Frank Markus to conclude
that, “Formula 1 power has arrived in the grand touring
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points |
| 1. BMW 5-litre V10 (M5, M6) |
218 |
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| 2. Mercedes-AMG 6.2-litre (C, CLK, E, CLS,
S, SL, ML, R) |
183 |
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| 3. Ferrari 6-litre V12 (599 GTB) |
172 |
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| 4. Lexus Hybrid 5-litre V8 (LS600h) |
109 |
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| 5. Audi 4.2-litre V8 FSI (S4, S5, A6, A8,
Q7 RS4, R8) |
108 |
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| 6. Ferrari 4.3-litre V8 (F430) |
80 |
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©2008 UKIP Media & Events Ltd
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