The weekend is finally here. We at AutoAdvisor think it’s time to kick back and enjoy something that never gets old - a good ol' fashioned drag race. And this race - courtesy of Autocar - features three Teutonic beasts - the Mercedes-AMG E63 S, the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, and the King of the super saloons - the BMW M5.
While extremely evenly matched on paper, these three German saloons couldn’t be more different. Each going about their business in a very different way. The one German missing from this line-up though, is the upcoming Audi RS7, that’s expected to use the same powertrain as the Panamera.
Speaking of the Panamera, the Turbo S E-Hybrid is the most powerful of this trio. And priced from R2 931 000, it is comfortably the most expensive too. What you do get though, is a biturbocharged-hybridized 4.0-litre V8 that produces a staggering 500kw and 850nm. Power is then sent to all-four corners via Porsche’s famed PDK transmission, which all plays its part in rocketing the 2.3 ton super saloon from 0-100kph in a claimed 3.4 seconds.
Next up is Affalterbach’s offering. Blessed with a higher output version of the motor that powers the supreme AMG GT R, the Mercedes-AMG E63 S is easily one of the quickest cars on the planet. Thanks to its AMG-tuned 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system and a bi-turbo 4.0-litre V8 that produces 450kw and 850nm, it’s capable of 0-100kph in a claimed 3.4 seconds as well. While overseas markets get two variants – the E63 and E63 S – South Africa gets the more powerful, with it priced from R1 895 795.
And lastly, we have what is widely acknowledged as the King of sport sedans – the BMW M5. At present, the most powerful BMW you can buy is the monstrous V12-engined M760Li xDrive, with 448kw under the driver's right foot. However, even with 800nm and all-wheel drive, it isn't the quickest. That honour is held by the F90 BMW M5, which uses a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 coupled with a BMW M-tuned xDrive system to harness 441kw and 750nm. And if the R1 762 807 M5 isn't enough for you, there is the 460kw M5 Competition that is scheduled for launch in the new few months.
With all three so evenly matched its race time! Place your bets, as these super saloons line up for a half mile sprint race.
