Hartge H50: More experiments in V10 fitment
Herbert Hartge has been producing his Bavarian specials for more than 30 years now. And as each new generation of BMWs gets better and better, these tuned versions have managed to keep pushing the envelope even further. The Beckingen Bimmers have grown into some of the fastest German tuner cars, model for model. Generally known for their prodigious horsepower bumps, wheel and suspension upgrades and the like, last year's Essen project struck some as Hartge's goodbye to good sense.
Shoehorning the M5's V10 into the new E92 3-Series sedan might have seemed like overkill to some, but with BMW promising a V8 in the new M3, this was simply an expeditious way of turning the volume up to 11 -- and the reaction was pretty overwhelming. Although the aggressive body kit and multi-louvered hood were a big tip-off to what was in store, turning the key, engaging first, and hanging on for dear life really made people see the light. With the ensuing tidal wave of inquiries and orders, Herbert decided to offer up a sequel for this year's show.
And what better follow up with than the new E92 Coupe? The wild front end features sedan-similar mods with that extended split lip, and multiple louvers remain on the hood, making the 550-horsepower V10 partially visible underneath. This coupe promises to be good for 320 km/h (199 mph) and a 0-62 sprint of 4.4 seconds. All this and the requisite beefed up underpinnings for the low, low price of just 157,650.00 EUR including 16% VAT. (That's 208 grand, in case you had to ask . Gulp.) Not exactly a bargain, but maybe a good value if you absolutely, positively have to have one of the fastest and best built V10 3-Series on the planet. Whatever planet that happens to be.
[Source: WorldCarFans]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Reign 12:22PM (12/14/2006)
Now lets see these guys put that same V10 into the 1 Series. Yes I'm sick. :)
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John P. 12:31PM (12/14/2006)
alright, the shelby gt500 just got a bit better looking to me after reading the price of this thing.
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pd 1:07PM (12/14/2006)
HARTGE has put the old M-5 V-8 in the 1 series. Videos of the H-50 are on M-5 board.com. One kick-ass ride,but EXPENSIVE!
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BobMac 1:26PM (12/14/2006)
I agree that it's way cool, but $160,000 for a half second to sixty just doesn't seem like a good value.
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SOhp101 1:27PM (12/14/2006)
Unless you want something that's a bit of an over-sleeper, it seems pointless. A regular M5 has roughly the same performance levels and costs a lot less.
Personally, I'd rather buy an M5 and use the leftover money to buy a 335i that I can trash.
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scott 3:09PM (12/14/2006)
Hugely geeky correction - the current 3 series sedan is the e90; the current 3 series coupe is the e92.
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Mr. Orange 3:58PM (12/14/2006)
"the numbers all go to eleven. Look, right across the board, 11, 11, 11, 11."
"Most amps go up to ten."
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John F 5:02PM (12/14/2006)
The current M5 actually has better perfomance specs and is way cheaper...
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TB 4:08PM (12/14/2006)
"Hugely geeky correction - the current 3 series sedan is the e90; the current 3 series coupe is the e92."
If you go by official SAE standards, both the E90 and E92 are "sedans." :-)
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Car videos & Motorcycle videos 4:59PM (12/14/2006)
Everything on the car looks good except the hood.
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MikeW 9:58PM (12/14/2006)
Now the M5 needs a twin turbo flat plane crank V8 (donor: M3) good for 600hp
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