Just like movie ratings, emission standards have become a lot more strict. The 80s, 90s and 2000s were the golden age for cars and movies, but even more particularly super sedans, and those edgy/mature movies marketed at kids and/or families.
No way would this car ever pass emission standards today. Even then, it would need to have its block replaced by a 4-valve DOHC engine with minimum 450-500 hp naturally aspirated and maximum 700-750 hp twin-turbo’d, assisted by hybrid technology for a total of 800-1000 hp.
Even the average joe could walk right in and get a V8 with supercar-slaying power and acceleration. Even the E430 and an A6 4.2 were on level with an NSX and an V8 Esprit in rolling starts at higher speeds; don’t even talk to me about the 540i or S6, those could keep up with a F355 and a Turbo Supra, despite not wearing an M or RS badge. The E60 M5, C5 RS6, and W210 E-Class AMG were extremely rare and for a select few niche customers (today, manufacturers mass-produce M, RS, and AMG like they are nothing, but fanboys unironically see the new ones as actual supercar slayers as opposed to the older ones); but they were able to easily catch up to a 360 (especially if it was an “E60” AMG; yes that was a thing and not even much slower than the newer E55 Kompressor).
Today’s GT63, M5 hybrid, M8 Gran Coupe, and RS7 performance would be lucky to even beat an electric Rivian pickup truck.
The PG back then is easily a PG-13 (or in some cases an R) today.
Car manufacturers and movie studios are run by bean counters. The EPA and MPA are too pointless for car enthusiasts and movie buffs.
This was the equivalent to a hard PG movie in the ‘90s. PG-13 was for muscle cars and supercars (other than deviations like the lame-even-back-then 260hp GT Mustang and the rather raunchy 500-600hp Diablo and halo cars).
Today, Paw Patrol is rated PG. so is Dora. Those being the equivalents to some “Mustang” Mach-e or a blazer ev, maybe even Renault Zoe
