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2008 BMW M3 - Competitors

When it comes to luxury sport sedans/coupes/convertibles, BMW’s M3 has long been the class benchmark. Companies such as Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Cadillac have attempted to dethrone the Bimmer, all with mixed success. For 2008, the competition heats up with a new debut from Lexus, the 416-horsepower IS F. More importantly, the IS F pounds out 371 lb.-ft. of torque, a significant boost over the M3’s rating of 295 lb.-ft. Furthermore, Lexus claims a top speed of 170 mph and a 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds. Compare those to the M3’s: 155 mph and 4.7 seconds. Don’t forget about the IS F’s standard eight-speed automatic tranny, additional standard features, superior EPA-rated fuel economy, and base price of about $57,000. Those pluses, however, are balanced by the lack of an available manual transmission and BMW’s M Dynamic Mode.

Audi currently enters the fray with its RS 4 sedan and cabriolet models, priced at about $66,000 and $82,000, respectively. Using a 4.2-liter V-8 to produce 420 horsepower and 317 lb.-ft. of torque, the RS 4 is electronically governed to a maximum velocity of 155 mph. Several tests put the Audi’s 0-60 mph time in the low four second range. Also in this brand’s stable is the S5, an all-new coupe carrying a comparable base price but with added standard features. While this sexy two-door can’t match the M3’s handling prowess, the RS 5 that’s rumored to be coming soon would surely mix things up a bit.

Finally, there’s the 2008 C63 AMG from Mercedes-Benz, a sedan that pumps out 457 horsepower and 442 lb.-ft. of torque from its 6.2-liter V-8, and the redesigned Cadillac CTS-V, adding a supercharger to its 6.2-liter V-8 to produce an estimated 550 horsepower. Pricing hasn’t been released yet for either, but testing suggests the C63 will hit that magical 60 mph mark sooner than the M3.