Big engined (but you'd never know) cars

[Garlick]

Spotted this yesterday, and with the small wheels, roof-rack and non-sport spec it looked so discreet I almost walked past.

Other than a similarly specced 550i, what else is there that is so blatantly un-sporting, yet more than adequately powered?

[neil_bolton]

doogz said:

The ZT 260 I guess.

Not really big power, but if you didn't know what it was, you wouldn't expect it.

Is it just me who thinks the 260 is lacking in power?

The dreadnaught converted ones however...

[frosted]

Haha , a true sleeper . I still dont understand why anyone would pick out a big wheeled, sports suspension family car on our terrible roads .

Always the smaller wheel , always the wafty suspension and always the big engine

[adycav]

Not quite as big engines capacity wise, but:

130i in rare SE spec
335i ditto
Wasn't there an A6 4.2 for a while?

[Garlick]

But that was an MG, had big wheels etc. I also thought of the Thema 8.32 but that too was designed to be sporting (to a degree)

This Merc isn't remotely sporty, but is over-engined.

[300bhp/ton]

Pretty rare in the UK, but I always think the big diesel engined American trucks are quite impressive. Many of the newer ones will run to 60mph almost as quick as a Civic Type and much, much faster when tuned.

I was one about 3 1/2 - 4 years back flying down some dual carriage way, I was doing 70mph and it bowled past me as though I was going backwards.

[Garlick]

adycav said:

Not quite as big engines capacity wise, but:

130i in rare SE spec
335i ditto
Wasn't there an A6 4.2 for a while?

That's the secret isn't it, the lux spec over sports.

[benjfrst]

an E430?

I would have thought if you didnt know anything about cars you would expect the MG ZT's to be quicker (even than the 260) than they actually are (by their looks).

[thetapeworm]

I guess the A3 3.2 is a bit of a "does it really need all that" type of engine in a fairly normal looking model when compared to the R32 with all it's exhausts and trimmings.

[EDLT]

I thought the same thing when I saw a similar E500 saloon the other day, they are still a lot more expensive than I thought they'd be

[RemainAllHoof]

Garlick said:

Other than a similarly specced 550i, what else is there that is so blatantly un-sporting, yet more than adequately powered?

Many "luxury" 4x4s. When Farmer Giles has the Farmer Giles, I guess.

[adycav]

The Merc CLK that I had for a while before my 993 would fit too I think.

It was a later CLK500 so had the 5.5 V8 with 388hp, but it was in Elegance spec so had 17" wheels, one single exhaust, and beige interior! Quite a nice thing to waft around in.

[volvoforlife]

The Vauxhall Monaro looks discreet to me for the size of engine it carries.

Edited by volvoforlife on Monday 21st February 10:18

[benjfrst]

how about a late 80's / early 90's mustang 5.0?

[Negative Creep]

Looks like a 1.9 diesel

[Garlick]

Negative Creep said:

Looks like a 1.9 diesel

Good shout.

[adycav]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2511688.htm

A6 4.2 SE spec, looks less sporty than the ubiquitous TDi S-Line with 19" wheels!

[edo]

S6 (not RS6). 5.0 V10. MMMMMMM.

[adycav]

edo said:

S6 (not RS6)

Certainly, it looks milder than the RS6 but for me it's still too aggressive looking:

Too many exhausts
Wheels too big
Bit of a body kit

Compare it to the 4.2 SE I posted above.

[Garlick]

adycav said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2511688.htm

A6 4.2 SE spec, looks less sporty than the ubiquitous TDi S-Line with 19" wheels!

Spot on. Just what I was talking about.

The Monaro still looks sporting to the average Joe, whereas this looks like a (nice) taxi!