The only thing common between this
German and Brit duo is their hue. Everything else screams (literally!)
different strokes for different blokes
BMW M5
An empty stretch of road punctuated by
fast, flowing corners is the perfect workout for this German muscle car.
Contrary to every M-purist's belief, adding turbo to the V8's arteries hasn't
mellowed its responses. Sure, getting out of an extremely tight corner at slow
speeds gives you a second or two to catch your breath, but once past the 2000
rpm mark, a riot ensues... a virtual blurring of the scenery and the acoustical
equivalent of Thor charging at you after knowing that you have had one drink
too many with his sister. Acceleration is brutal, especially if you plan to use
Launch Control but it will also take you to the wrong side of 200kmph before
you can say "this car is really fast". The M5 truly is a work of art.
A high performance sports car in a sedate sedan outfit.
BMW
M5
The control center
Since this is no regular 520d, the cockpit
of the M5 has telltale signs of what resides under the hood. Beyond the
discreet 'M' badging on the gear lever, rev counter and seat headrests, it also
has 'M' settings that can be called upon by two buttons on the steering wheel.
The M1 and the M2 buttons save preferred settings for throttle response,
steering weight, suspension stiffness and even gear-shift times in three steps.
You could also switch off the traction control at your own risk but do keep the
BMW service support number handy!
Jaguar XKR-S
The British automotive metaphor for
understated sportiness isn't all that understated in the XKR-S form. Flared
wheel arches, slits and gills all over its feline body and an achingly
beautiful soundtrack announce its presence even before you lay your eyes on it.
Once you do see it though, all you want to do is free up those 550 horses
straining under your right foot. With less weight and lesser doors than the
brutish bimmer, this cat will snarl back if you don't know what you're doing
behind the wheel. The cosseting interiors belie its dynamic prowess and sense
of hooliganism that can leave you with a huge bill for a new set of tires
pretty quickly. More ostentatious than Lady Gaga and louder than Metallica, the
XKR-S is not for the fainthearted or light-pocketed!
Jaguar
XKR-S
Operatic theater
Everything about a Jaguar is tactile and
almost 'alive', as their own marketing spiel proudly enunciates. Hit the Engine
Start button and the Jaguar Drive Selector rises up from the center console,
urging you to caress it and take control, ever so gently. The one-piece sports
seats can be adjusted endlessly to suit your body type, even if you follow
Jabba the Hutt's diet plan. And if you're sadist enough to want to listen to
music while revving till 8000 rpm, the 525-watt, Dolby Pro-Logic II enabled
B&W system should cut it.
