BMW Racing Dynamics K55 Compact

[NarendZORCE]

http://www.topgear.com/drives/A4/E2/roadtests/34/01.html

BMW Racing Dynamics K55 Compact

If health warnings were issued to cars, this silver BMW compact would bear the following: 'The Minister of Transport warns that the driving fun supplied by this car can be addictive.'

For this little Bavarian is as sneaky as they come. Though there's little more than a few bodykit add-ons outside, Italian tuner Racing Dynamics has squeezed a tweaked V12 engine from BMW's 850 Ci under the hood of this, the smallest of the 3-Series family.

Which is easier said than done. The panelbeaters and technicians had to do an awful lot of work before the little Compact's engine compartment would fit round the mighty V12 without pinching. They had to make room for a Getrag six-speed manual gearbox, also taken from the 8-Series, too.

After getting the engine to fit, it was removed again and breathed on heavily in Racing Dynamics' engine department. Among other things, a 7.5mm longer stroke increases displacement from 4,988cc to 5,486cc, there are new pistons, oversize valves and a free-flow exhaust system and the Motronic fuel injection has been re-mapped.

The result of all this trickery is that at 5,900 revs the Racing Dynamics K55 puts a scary 427bhp through the sports clutch and generates a stump-pulling 405lb ft of torque at 4,100rpm. But push the accelerator hard, and you reveal the Compact's greatest weak point - the rear Pirelli P Zeros spin wildly, even though they're eight-and-a-half inches wide, and produce more smoke than thrust. But with a little right-foot restraint, things start to feel rather better.

62mph is left behind after 4.5 seconds, and, eventually, the aerodynamics and the rev limiter will enforce a maximum of 190mph. All this is accompanied by a wild roar, with the noise from the intakes seemingly just as loud and clear as the racket from its two thick tailpipes.

Dominating this monster takes commitment and composure as the K55 kicks its tail around. But you gain in confidence when you notice how good the deceleration is. The four-piston aluminium calipers grab the ventilated and grooved discs mighty hard, and as you get used to it, you start braking later and later into corners.

While the normal Compact has to live with the technically antiquated rear axle from the old 3-Series, the K55 uses a state-of-the-art rear end from the current M3, which gives it superb handling. Though you're aware that there's a heavy engine in the front of the little car, causing initial understeer, a touch of throttle soon has the tail heading towards the outside of the corner. Stability at speeds of around 180mph is astonishingly good too, helped by the front airdam and the rear spoiler.

The interior of this first prototype still looks like a cross between the standard 3-Series' meagre equipment and more modern racing technology; the seats, for example, are boring, but the instrument panel is graced by a Bosch Stack digital display, as more usually seen in Touring Cars.

Racing Dynamics owner Federico Pavoncelli is quite rightly proud of his company's latest work. Your addiction therapy expenses, however, will not be covered by his company

Hans-Jurgen Tucherer

[Plex]

very nice...