Luxury cars get engines with Nascar-like horsepower

As mass-market manufacturers are refocusing on fuel economy, luxury-car makers such as BMW AG, Porsche AG and Toyota Motor Corp.’s Lexus are heading the other way, introducing models with 500-plus horsepower engines.

Engine size and power have been creeping up for several years in models including DaimlerChrysler AG’s Dodge Viper SR10 Coupe, which was introduced last year and has a 500-horsepower engine, and General Motors Corp.’s 505-horsepower Chevrolet Corvette Z06, also launched in 2005.

Now, the expanded range of high-performance vehicles means consumers who care about having Nascar-like power will have more options from luxury-car makers that generally haven’t been synonymous with horsepower. Nissan Motor Co.’s Infiniti, for example, is proceeding with a production version of the concept Skyline GT-R, which has 500 horsepower. The fastest car in Infiniti’s current lineup is the M45, which has a 335-horsepower V8 engine. Even Ford Motor Co.’s Volvo, known more for safety and durability, wants to be seen as having credibility in the performance area. Volvo’s new C30 concept has a five-cylinder engine and 260 horsepower, with an ability to travel from zero to 60 seconds in six seconds. (AZ Central)