my friend claims that his 323 coupe is faster.

Horsepower isn't everything so is he right?

Horsepower is not everything. It depends on the
transmission and the amount of torque it gives at
certain RPM. Also, driver's skill count too !

...would turn down a chance to drive a Lotus Elise, with its 150 (?) hp in line 4, now would they?

I read in a magazine that in Europe, wiht higher speed limits, BMWs have higher ratios than Audis and therefore are somewhat slower to 60mph.

In the US, with speed practically limited to 75-80mph (by traffic if nothing else), beemers resort to much sorter gearing, and thus they post very good acceleration times.

This is besides the weight matter and the torque/power curve.

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