WHEN WILL THE POWER WARS END?

Despite being in my 40s, I’ve been a CAR reader since 1981. I need to call you out on a few things:

1. You may have lost touch with the value of money. R800k is not small change. Most families cannot afford this for a car.

2. Also, when you test a vehicle, you throw it around a track and don’t pay for anything. Fuel consumption, general wear and tear and other factors are inconsequential. It makes a difference when you have to cover these costs.

3. The automotive industry has lost the plot in terms of power. Where do these power wars end? Suddenly a car with “just” 200 kw is a donkey! Remember when the 160 kw BMW 535i was a beast?

A reality check is in order. My daily drive is a 2013 BMW 320i manual and it’s amazing. I just bought my first-ever weekend car: a 2007 BMW Z4 Coupé 3.0si with a manual, too. It has only 195 kw but it’s a fantastic vehicle.

Thanks for keeping me entertained for all these years.

PAUL FORBES Durban North

[Thanks for keeping us honest, Paul. I’ll answer you in sequence:

1. This statement is accurate, of course, but that’s sadly where the market’s gone. Value for money can be measured only by comparing a vehicle to its peers (even if they all cost R800k).

2. We track test only one performance car a month (aside from Shootout, of course) and are acutely aware of what it costs to run a vehicle because of our fuel tests and sourcing prices for replacement parts – including tyres – on every vehicle we test.

3. I’m unconvinced the directors of a global motor company will give much heed to CAR telling them their cars are too powerful and that they must change their gluttonous ways… – editor.]