V8 Showdown: RS7 .. E63 .. M5 .. XFR-S .. Panamera Turbo
Discussion
I know how much PHers love Americanisms.
Enjoy
These 5 sedans are V8-powered supercars in disguise
http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-reviews/car-compar...
These five sedans don't look like supercars. They have no carbon tubs or active aerodynamic tricks that make them look like low-flying spacecraft. They fit human beings in their front and rear seats. They have cushy suspensions and seat heaters and semiautonomous cruise control. And yet three of them can beat a Porsche Carrera GT to 60 mph; the quickest two are faster than a Ferrari Enzo on that same sprint. Every one of them stops shorter and generates more stick on a skidpad than a McLaren F1. They're normal-looking, leather-lined luxury yachts that can obliterate just about anything on the road. Actual supercars included.
With more than 500 horses looming under each hood, the Audi RS7, BMW M5 Competition Package, Jaguar XFR-S, Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S-Model 4MATIC, and Porsche Panamera Turbo are all new or significantly refreshed this year. When we first assembled them on the banking at California's Auto Club Speedway, we had a nightmare realization: One of these supercar-slaying winners was about to become a loser. The decision would be made by our collective group, but as the writer of this story, I would be forever known as the guy who put one of these insane monsters in last place. An E63—one of the best fast cars in the world—off the podium? An M5 fifth out of five? C'mon. And in what universe does a Panamera Turbo place last? Shoot me now.
In a straight drag race, it's only into triple digits that the cars separate.
We should note here that, as with any ranking endeavor, you're tempted to jump the gun and prematurely assign a finishing order. Coming into this test, we were sure of just one thing: This was Audi's game to lose. The RS7 is a souped-up A7, elegant and brutal, easily our favorite luxury car. The A7 that underlies the RS model is so well-rounded, when we try to complain about it, we're stuck griping about things like the radio that always comes on when you start the car, even if you muted the volume when you got out.
Talk about a hardship. Besides, the base A7 is more than quick enough—so much so that we prefer it over the faster eight-cylinder S7, mostly because of the latter's rough-edged dual-clutch transmission. The RS7, however, uses the A7's magnificent torque-converter ZF automatic with the S7's V8. Which, incidentally, has been massaged to deliver another 132 horses. It's good news after good news.
Results:
"We were always sure which way the BMW would go, because the answer was always sideways. The M5's suspension is oversprung and underdamped, and without question, the engine makes more power than the chassis can handle. On a bumpy back road, trying to escape the E63, the M5 is like that little black cat trying to outrun Pepé Le Pew. Driving the M5 fast is serious, countersteering, palm-sweating work.
It's also serious fun, and that's the decisive factor in crowning the BMW the winner. With its neutral behavior at the limit, the manic M5 is a mother to control, but it's also a more multidimensional tool for the advanced driver. It's giddy on the street, a riot on back roads, and the most throttle-steerable on the track.
Yes, that sounds schizophrenic. But it's honest. Meeting the M5, you love how the hydraulically assisted steering is old-school-BMW communicative in normal driving, then hate how numb it gets at the limit. You love the steering's heft but lament that it makes the BMW feel like it weighs as much as two Panameras. The exhaust spits out a crazy howl, but the car's stereo famously plays pretend engine noise through its speakers. Which admittedly sounds good, but then you kind of resent the fact that you love its pandering."
http://www.roadandtrack.com/cm/roadandtrack/data/R...
http://www.roadandtrack.com/cm/roadandtrack/data/R...
1 : BMW M5: --------------------- 3.8 -- 12.0@122.3 -- $117,075
2 : Mercedes E63 AMG:-------- 3.2 -- 11.5@123.1 -- $106,825
3 : Audi RS7:--------------------- 3.2 -- 11.6@120.3 -- $122,545
4 : Jaguar XRF-S: ---------------3.7 -- 12.1@118.3 -- $105,770
5 : Porsche Panamera Turbo: 3.4 -- 11.9@114.4 -- $178,910
I'd take the Audi
Enjoy
These 5 sedans are V8-powered supercars in disguise
http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-reviews/car-compar...
These five sedans don't look like supercars. They have no carbon tubs or active aerodynamic tricks that make them look like low-flying spacecraft. They fit human beings in their front and rear seats. They have cushy suspensions and seat heaters and semiautonomous cruise control. And yet three of them can beat a Porsche Carrera GT to 60 mph; the quickest two are faster than a Ferrari Enzo on that same sprint. Every one of them stops shorter and generates more stick on a skidpad than a McLaren F1. They're normal-looking, leather-lined luxury yachts that can obliterate just about anything on the road. Actual supercars included.
With more than 500 horses looming under each hood, the Audi RS7, BMW M5 Competition Package, Jaguar XFR-S, Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S-Model 4MATIC, and Porsche Panamera Turbo are all new or significantly refreshed this year. When we first assembled them on the banking at California's Auto Club Speedway, we had a nightmare realization: One of these supercar-slaying winners was about to become a loser. The decision would be made by our collective group, but as the writer of this story, I would be forever known as the guy who put one of these insane monsters in last place. An E63—one of the best fast cars in the world—off the podium? An M5 fifth out of five? C'mon. And in what universe does a Panamera Turbo place last? Shoot me now.
In a straight drag race, it's only into triple digits that the cars separate.
We should note here that, as with any ranking endeavor, you're tempted to jump the gun and prematurely assign a finishing order. Coming into this test, we were sure of just one thing: This was Audi's game to lose. The RS7 is a souped-up A7, elegant and brutal, easily our favorite luxury car. The A7 that underlies the RS model is so well-rounded, when we try to complain about it, we're stuck griping about things like the radio that always comes on when you start the car, even if you muted the volume when you got out.
Talk about a hardship. Besides, the base A7 is more than quick enough—so much so that we prefer it over the faster eight-cylinder S7, mostly because of the latter's rough-edged dual-clutch transmission. The RS7, however, uses the A7's magnificent torque-converter ZF automatic with the S7's V8. Which, incidentally, has been massaged to deliver another 132 horses. It's good news after good news.
Results:
"We were always sure which way the BMW would go, because the answer was always sideways. The M5's suspension is oversprung and underdamped, and without question, the engine makes more power than the chassis can handle. On a bumpy back road, trying to escape the E63, the M5 is like that little black cat trying to outrun Pepé Le Pew. Driving the M5 fast is serious, countersteering, palm-sweating work.
It's also serious fun, and that's the decisive factor in crowning the BMW the winner. With its neutral behavior at the limit, the manic M5 is a mother to control, but it's also a more multidimensional tool for the advanced driver. It's giddy on the street, a riot on back roads, and the most throttle-steerable on the track.
Yes, that sounds schizophrenic. But it's honest. Meeting the M5, you love how the hydraulically assisted steering is old-school-BMW communicative in normal driving, then hate how numb it gets at the limit. You love the steering's heft but lament that it makes the BMW feel like it weighs as much as two Panameras. The exhaust spits out a crazy howl, but the car's stereo famously plays pretend engine noise through its speakers. Which admittedly sounds good, but then you kind of resent the fact that you love its pandering."
http://www.roadandtrack.com/cm/roadandtrack/data/R...
http://www.roadandtrack.com/cm/roadandtrack/data/R...
1 : BMW M5: --------------------- 3.8 -- 12.0@122.3 -- $117,075
2 : Mercedes E63 AMG:-------- 3.2 -- 11.5@123.1 -- $106,825
3 : Audi RS7:--------------------- 3.2 -- 11.6@120.3 -- $122,545
4 : Jaguar XRF-S: ---------------3.7 -- 12.1@118.3 -- $105,770
5 : Porsche Panamera Turbo: 3.4 -- 11.9@114.4 -- $178,910
I'd take the Audi
Worth noting the E63 is the 4WD model in the US - do we get one over here?
These sort of cars do nothing for me. There is no such thing as an all-rounder; i'd rather save a wedge of cash and get a diesel version of the above, and then a sports car for driving.
Oh, and Porsches do the same thing as the Audi when it comes to the radio blaring out when you start the car up. Gets bloody annoying after the hundredth time...
These sort of cars do nothing for me. There is no such thing as an all-rounder; i'd rather save a wedge of cash and get a diesel version of the above, and then a sports car for driving.
Oh, and Porsches do the same thing as the Audi when it comes to the radio blaring out when you start the car up. Gets bloody annoying after the hundredth time...
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff