From their website:

MotorWeek #2645

Episode Title: 2645/Toyota Highlander
PBS Broadcast Window Begins: July 13, 2007

Quick Listing:
Road Test: all-new 2008 Toyota Highlander
Road Test: 2007 Volvo S80 luxury sedan
Goss' Garage: Motorcycle Accessories
FYI: Pitfalls of Extended Warranties
Car Keys: First Test - Scion xD, BMW 5-Series & Infiniti G37

More test data to argue over!!

 

I just watched motorweek's test of the 335i coupe and sedan. The stats are:

coupe/steptronic/5.4/13.9@104

sedan/6MT/5.3/13.7@103

only 23lbs weight different btw the two body style!

 

Those are intersting results... pretty much the same as the G37. Like someone else said these tests are often all over the place. It would be nice to see a better than average result from the G on this one.

 

It's hard for me to believe the 335i could get 4.9s as some magazine had gotten. Even the regular Corvette C6 had a hard time gettin 4.9 itself. I mean awhile back, Edmunds was only able to get 5.5s from the current M3 with competition package and the M3 was lighter, had more hp (though down on torque).

 

Times, as usual, have a lot to do with atmospheric conditions, traction, etc.. a number of people have pulled legit 4.8-5.1's in 335i's, but it is not realistic to assume that is how fast the car will always travel to 60mph. More average results are around 5.3s, which is what most mags seem to get too. Frankly, 0-60 is way too outdated a measurement to mean much anymore anyway.

 

i was browsing the BMW forums and the 335 guys were wondering the same thing. the 1 thing that interest me that they mention is that the cars most of these mags tested were from BMW themselves, and they could have been "chipped" or somthing. while thinking about it, that is a big possiblilty why all these 335i's we see in mags got some wickedly fast times. while in the real world, they are hard pressed to hit mid 5 0-60.

 

I was wondering the same thing. Edmund was only able to get 5.5sec from the current M3 which is lighter and had more hp. They claimed to have gotten 4.8 out of the 335 which is really, really, really fast.

 

The 335 torque curve is extremely healthy all the way to 5000 rpm. Moreso than the M3. It doens't surprise me that they are close in performance. Most reviews of the M3 have it doing low-mid 13's. I would ignore the 5.5 second test. The just dicontinued 330 (with 255 HP) almost does that.

 

I'm not sure what to think but I highly doubt BMW has the cojones to send each mag a "chipped" car. Can you imagine the uproar if they were ever found out? Also, isn't it pretty common that mags can hit 0-60 numbers that you and I most likely can't? Not that it isn't physically possible, but these mags do run after run and probably record the quickest 0-60 time. Almost every 0-60 time these mags record, whether it be a 335i, G35, 350Z etc., would take a miracle (aka perfect conditions and a perfect timing) for joe blow to replicate.

 

They are not hard pressed to hit mid 5's in the real world. Many, many owners have recorded high 4's and low 5's. I've got more than one 1.85-1.95 60 foot ET's and low 8's 1/8th miles, which indicate a low 5's 0-60mph. The idea that BMW is sending ringers to all these mags is kind of silly, especially since other manufacturers (Infiniti) have been providing some of the cars.

But still, as mentioned, 0-60 is an outdated measurement, which is why no one but mags use it any more.

 

If those 60' times are with the stock tires then that is amazing. Nice launch.

 

I don't think there will be any data since the G37 is in the 'Car Keys -First Test' segment. They usually just give general information on earlier models, differences, test drive 'feel', etc. The 0-60, 1/4 mile, braking data comes in the longer 'Road Test' segment

 

I had a feeling that was the case. Thanks for the heads up.

 

Also, isn't it pretty common that mags can hit 0-60 numbers that you and I most likely can't? Not that it isn't physically possible, but these mags do run after run and probably record the quickest 0-60 time. Almost every 0-60 time these mags record, whether it be a 335i, G35, 350Z etc., would take a miracle (aka perfect conditions and a perfect timing) for joe blow to replicate.

Actually I put more stock in the performance numbers that manufacturers publish than what I read in magazines. Magazines post the best times when it may be a lot more enlightening to publish the average times, but I wouldn't doubt that some of the guys on the staffs of the magazines are very competitive and take a greart deal of pride in getting the best published time, regardless of how much they may have to abuse the car to get that time.