I have a 1/4 mile steep hill climb on the way home, which has been the site of several small "skirmishes" with other nice vehicles, and yesterday was one of those days.

At the stoplight before the hill, I had a black Cayenne S in front of me that had blown by me before reaching the light. After getting the green light, we had about 1/4 mile of two-lane road leading to a curve, then up a 1/4 mile hill climb with a passing lane. I kept close to the Cayenne as we approached the hill, and mashed the A/C switch just in case. There was a gas mizer car of some type in front of us taking it easy, and as we reached the passing lane the Cayenne shot around and took off. I hit the gas to give it my best.

We took off at about 25 mph and reached 65 mph at the 6% grade hill top before we both backed off to the 40 mph posted speed limit. The Cayenne never pulled away, but I couldn't close the gap either.

I should have switched to manual shift during the climb, as my car tends to upshift too early on this steep hill, about 500-700 rpm before redline. It might have let me close the gap a little, if I had hit peak horsepower on the climb. Regardless, it was fun and educational.

I don't know what it is about this hill. In the last 2 1/2 years, I have had several other "sprints" to the top before. Here is what I remember:

'05 or so E55 AMG - I got killed, but wanted to see that car go. I even had the jump on it and it just pulled away handily.
'05 M3 convertible - dead heat, I swear. It may be faster on flat ground, but not on this hill.
'03 Dinan M5 - again, I got killed.
Lexus ES 300 - no competitiion.

OK flamers, start your engines! I always get scorched when I post one of my sprints, and I'm sure you won't let me down this time.

BrandHdriver
"West Austin hills"

 

Good to see I'm not the only one willing to tempt a Porsche....unfortunately I picked a fight with a Turbo S....needless to say I got smoked. But hey I have no problem admitting it, I mean after all the Turbo S cost nearly 4 times that of a TL. In my opinion, if you're paying that much for a car, it better be fast....otherwise it's not worth buying!

I also raced my buddies WRX. It's not an STi, but he has it an exhaust and re-programmed. Off the line I had it, but from a roll (no matter what the speed) it's pretty close at first, but as soon as his turbo got going he slowly started pulling away from me.

 

I think he meant Caynne S, I'm glad you are having fun there, I don't get any fun for next 6 month.

 

First off its a Porsche. Much better engineering than on our cars (hope noone takes offense). My friend just got the Cayenne S a couple of months ago. Beautiful car on top of 350 horsepower, but when youre paying that kind of money - you should at least get automatic headlights and a 6 CD changer, which he had to install after.

 

No flames for Cayenne S story, not from me at least. Cayenne S is very heavy, well over 5,000 lbs, SUV with 0-60 mph around 6.4 sec 0-60mph. TL should be able to stay with it at least. M3 story is believable too. Most drivers do not want to abuse their manual tranny cars.

 

Reminds me of this newer 745 I was racing from light to light. I knew i was goin' to get killed but somehow I kept up to about 50mph and before his car started pulling away the light turned red!

 

Not doubting this story at all. I pulled on some soccer mom from around 20-70mph last spring. 3-4ths to a full car length i'd say. So i'd expect you to be able to pull even on one, as i'm not THAT modded at all, just IHE