Déjà Vu: Automobile Magazine Compares The 2007 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, 2007 Audi S6 And The 2007 BMW M5

Posted January 30th, 2007 At 9:10 AM CST eMercedes-Benz - - If Car and Driver's finding yesterday that the 2007 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG holds the position as the world's leading high-horsepowered mid-sized sedan wasn't enough to quell your doubts on the subject, Automobile magazine decided to weigh in with their thoughts on the matter, again comparing the 2007 Mercedes E63 AMG, 2007 Audi S6 and 2007 BMW M5. What, you ask, was the outcome? A small excerpt from the review: "What makes the E63 so special is the blend of its abilities. For a start, it's a particularly emotional machine-mean-looking, acoustically overwhelming, and very fast, yet it can be either velvety smooth or bondage brutal, whichever you wish. True, the stability-control warning light may flash in the wet at 125 mph, but you won't feel more than a tug or a kick, and then it's full urge again all the way to the 7200-rpm redline. Unlike the supercharged E55, which was so pumped up with hormones it could hardly accelerate in a straight line, the follow-up model is a lot more relaxed, more sure-footed, and quite a bit quicker. By a wafer-thin margin, the Benz has the most compelling engine. It wins the torque trophy and the acceleration medal, it sounds awesome, it's mated to a transmission that confines itself to only three shift programs, and its relentless push extends into the triple-digit speed zone. What this car needs to move even closer to perfection are brakes with extra staying power and steering that can do more than change direction. Even under pressure, the nose of the E63 finds it easy to stay close to the apex. As a result, the driver is more inclined to light up the rear tires in crowd-stopping fashion. The trouble is that you can slide the Benz only with stability control off, so there is no intermediate safety net such as M Dynamic Mode in the M5 or traction control off in the S6. Unlike the BMW, which feels a little twitchy as it nears the limit of adhesion, the AMG hugs the tarmac. There is also less lift-off weight transfer, less acceleration squat, and less brake dive, and, despite the subdued body movements, you always know where you are on the speed and g-force map. At an expected $85,000, the Benz digs deepest into the budget, but it is worth every penny--against the stopwatch and in smiles-per-miles currency. It wins on merit and appeal, even though it surpasses the S6 only by a whisker." A close battle, but another victory for the E63 AMG, nonetheless. To learn more, head over to Automobile where you can check out the full article detailing all three of the sedans in question. And to Kirk: thanks for the tip my good sir; we sincerely appreciate it.