I know this subject has been discussed regarding Top gear's testing of the new 997 Carrera S, BMW M6 and Aston Martin V8 Vantage, but i would like to home in and the facts that i do know.

Porsche 997 Carrera S

bhp at RPM [per tonne]: 355 @ 6600 [249.6]

Torque lb-ft at RPM [per tonne]:295 @ 4600 [207.45]

Keb weight: 1422kg's

BMW M6

bhp at RPM [per tonne]: 507 @ 7750 [296.5]

Torque lb-ft at RPM [per tonne]: 383 @ 6100 [224]

Keb weight: 1710 kg's

Aston Martin V8 Vantage

bhp at RPM [per tonne]: 380 @ 7000 [242]

Torque lb-ft at RPM [per tonne]: 302 @ 5000 [192.4]

Keb weight: 1570 kg's

So the route these cars were compared on took circa 1'30:00 so i imagine it was about 2 miles in the wet ! the Porsche was around 5 seconds quicker than the AM and the BMW - So do you think the ceramic brakes made all the difference, as that seemed to be the only advantage ??

Either way it does go to show that bhp, torque, power to weight, 0-60 1/4 mile 0-100 blah blah can all be thrown away as 'real world' conditions seem the best way to compare ? Or is it ?

I agree peak figures don't seem to equate 99% of the time, a lot to do with tyres, brakes & handling in the real world.

Power/torque is nice to have but won't do you any good if the chassis can't handle it.

I think 911 is a classic example of engine and chassis being complimentry...not the most powerful but certainly the chassis can handle and put power down well....apparently. Realitively light in weight also helps.

Or the bloke took a shortcut

Porsche was the lightest, best braked and probably the best chassis.

However your question is regarding the relative power and torque. So take the porsche chassis as in the test and give it the M6's power and torque characteristics (assuming no weight change) and it will be faster than the 997 that was tested.

Indeed, witness the 911 Turbo

Indeed, witness the 911 Turbo

Indeed, however i have heard of GT3's racing turbo's [on a track] and lapping quicker than the turbo's.

This is where the GT2 steps in however

Indeed' date=' however i have heard of GT3's racing turbo's [on a track'] and lapping quicker than the turbo's.

This is where the GT2 steps in however

Again though you're not comparing equivalent weight, chassis and braking.