Torque versus horsepower - BMW F15 X5 M50d vs Range Rover Sport V8 supercharged drag race

[Sticky]

This video comes to us from Cars.co.za in South Africa. The reviewer opens up the video interestingly saying that he is pretty sure BMW M would never make a diesel vehicle, a turbocharged motor, or an SUV. Well those days are long gone as the X5 M50d is all of those things. The engine in the M50d is the same tri-turbo 3.0 liter inline-6 diesel engine used in the previous generation E70 X5 M50d model offering 381 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque.

The South Africans decide to match it up against the Range Rover Sport model with the supercharged 5.0 liter direct injected V8. This is a battle of torque versus horsepower as the Range Rover sport has more power with 510 horsepower but less torque at 461 lb-ft. It also is a gasoline engine. The reviewer states it is heavier but our research shows it is roughly 200 pounds lighter so who knows what weight figures he is quoting.

So what happens in the race? The X5 gets a clear jump only to be quickly reeled in and passed. The length of the race is not stated but appears to be quite short. A shorter race will favor a low end torque setup but despite this horsepower still wins. Those people who incorrectly state torque wins races need to watch this video as power wins.

[rawad1017]

hehehehehehe x5m will still anally invade that rover

[Group.america]

Sticky, not that simple as you know (gearing, gearbox shifts yada yada).

Still, I would rather have less torque in my 996TTS and more power with a higher revving engine, because any more mods and the torque will bend my little rods. Cars like the 650S have good hp and nice across the wide-band torque in the 500 ft-lbs range and high revs = very fast times

[Sticky2]

hehehehehehe x5m will still anally invade that rover

How does this make sense?

[rawad1017]

How does this make sense?

highest performance trucks from both companies? makes total sense, this comparison was stupid

[Sticky]

highest performance trucks from both companies? makes total sense, this comparison was stupid

My bad I was on my cell phone and running on 3 hours sleep so I didn't see what you meant. Regardless, this comparison wasn't stupid at all. Nice to see the diesel M up against this supercharged petrol V8.

[rawad1017]

this counts as an M car? wtf

[ezec63]

But what if you could have both?? Boosted big displacement motors FTW

[G0TB00ST?]

this counts as an M car? wtf

THIS!

[mjmarovi]

Can't say this is a clear victory for horsepower over torque...it was only a 80 lb ft of torque difference on what seems to be a 200lb lighter vehicle, but a 130 hp differential...not saying it would have been equal, but a 50hp bump in the X5 would make a 1/4 mile race much more interesting.

[Sticky]

Can't say this is a clear victory for horsepower over torque...it was only a 80 lb ft of torque difference on what seems to be a 200lb lighter vehicle, but a 130 hp differential...not saying it would have been equal, but a 50hp bump in the X5 would make a 1/4 mile race much more interesting.

The X5 would need more horsepower, right?

When people say torque wins races I just laugh. The X5 would win this race maybe if they were both towing boats.

[mjmarovi]

The X5 would need more horsepower, right?

When people say torque wins races I just laugh. The X5 would win this race maybe if they were both towing boats.

lol, yeah, it'd need more, or take 50 lb ft of torque away from the Rover. Would be hard to do but...would be interesting to see how much torque you'd have to take away to make it a close battle. Horsepower absolutely wins races, no doubt about that, just need enough torque to get going. I'd say torque is much less efficient when it comes to pure performance. Not that we are really discussing this properly, but just saying if you had your choice, I'll take the HP please!

[Sticky]

or take 50 lb ft of torque away from the Rover

Where in the powerband though?

but just saying if you had your choice, I'll take the HP please!

Always take the power.

[rawad1017]

then again there are cases where torque beats horsepower

here's one, me taking a BMW i8 in the quarter mile. the i8 will win ET wise lol

[rawad1017]

THIS!

like wtf get those rims off that truck

[G0TB00ST?]

like wtf get those rims off that truck

If I could rep you I would man!
this new bmw logic smh ... So if it has a m badge on it then it's a m now? I mean come on... With that logic my old 325ci was a m car because it had the old 17in m sport wheels

[Sticky]

I'm pretty sure the M badge goes on everything now. Including front wheel drives.

[Roguewrestler]

I'd still take that Rover regardless of outcome.