The German Drug Problem of the 2000s

Between 2000 and 2010, German car manufacturers entered a "golden age" characterized by engineers holding more power than accountants. This era was defined by fearless experimentation, extreme over-engineering, and the production of vehicles that prioritized character and raw performance over logic or efficiency.

• BMW innovation — Driven by an obsession with Formula 1 technology, engineers focused on high-revving power and immense complexity regardless of long-term reliability [02:09].

  • X5 LM — Combined a 700-horsepower V12 with a manual transmission in a single test vehicle [00:57].
  • E65 7 Series — Over-engineered with over 70 control units, making it notoriously difficult to keep running [01:36].
  • M-Series engines — Forced F1-inspired V10 and high-revving V8 engines into standard saloons and station wagons [02:34].

• Audi ambition — The company shifted from a sensible image to one of experimental performance, fueled by technology accessed through Lamborghini [03:32].

  • Advanced A2 — A futuristic car featuring a fully aluminum chassis and high efficiency, which failed because it was ahead of its time [03:45].
  • V10 performance — Placed Lamborghini-derived V10 engines into executive cars like the S6 and S8, later adding twin turbos for the RS6 [04:17].
  • Q7 V12 TDI — A family SUV powered by a 12-cylinder diesel engine with enough torque to pull an airplane [05:27].

• Mercedes strategy — The brand’s business plan essentially involved taking every car in the lineup and installing the largest engine available [05:47].

  • E55 AMG — Launched the horsepower war by fitting a 500-horsepower supercharged V8 into a family sedan [05:58].
  • R63 AMG — A high-performance, V8-powered minivan created simply because the engine fit in the bay [06:43].
  • Twin-turbo V12s — Added to luxury models like the S-Class and SL to prioritize massive power over fuel consumption [07:06].

• Volkswagen experimentation — The company appeared to undergo a collective midlife crisis, developing unique engines and over-the-top features for mass-market vehicles [07:41].

  • VR6 engine — A proprietary, compact six-cylinder layout designed specifically for the Golf [07:59].
  • Phaeton — A luxury vehicle positioned as a more affordable Bentley, available with high-cylinder-count engines [08:39].
  • Eos roof — A complex mechanism allowing the car to serve as a convertible, coupe, and sunroof vehicle simultaneously [10:08].

• Porsche intensity — Focused on creating raw, motorsport-derived cars that lacked modern electronic safety aids for the driver [10:20].

  • Carrera GT — A hypercar with a 5.7-liter V10, a notoriously sensitive clutch, and no electronic safety systems [11:06].
  • GT2 and GT2 RS — Rear-wheel-drive 911 variants with significant turbo lag that earned the nickname "Widowmaker" due to their difficult handling [12:09].

• How did Porsche manage the lack of electronic safety systems in the Carrera GT?

• Why did Volkswagen develop the VR6 engine configuration?