Germany’s Most Controversial Heavyweight Sports Sedans Finally Do Battle

While many automakers are shifting to electricity for performance, few have gone to full electricity. Many of them, particularly German automakers, are opting to combine electric motors with gas engines to create their most potent powertrains. Both Mercedes-Benz and BMW now each have plug-in hybrid high-performance sedans: the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E-Performance and the BMW M5. While they’re technically different sizes and classes, they’re more closely matched than you might think. So South African car classifieds site, Cars.co.za, took an example of each to drag race them.

A Close, But Decisive, Race

We won’t spoil the outcome, but we will say the difference between the two is fairly close. Both cars finished the quarter-mile in under 12 seconds. They’re also neck-and-neck for at least a quarter to a third of the race. In the end, there’s a very clear winner, one that makes the follow-up rolling race hardly worth performing.

It’s not entirely surprising the race would be so close. The BMW makes more power with 717 horsepower, as opposed to the Merc’s 671. But the Mercedes, despite being down four cylinders, makes more torque at 752 pound-feet compared to the BMW’s 738. The Mercedes has a weight advantage, too. It weighs 4,817 pounds whereas the BMW is a whopping 5,368.

Which To Choose

If you’re interested in one of these sedans, the good news is that both offer astonishing power and acceleration, as well as impressive cornering capability, all while being luxurious and comfortable. But there are a few things that can make a decision pretty easy. If you’re a little tight on budget, the Mercedes is significantly cheaper, coming in under $90,000, while the M5 starts around $120,000.

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If you want to maximize the amount of time you use electricity, the BMW is the way to go, as it offers 27 miles of electric range. The Mercedes might as well not have a plug, as Mercedes only claims 3 miles of range. Also, if you’re put off by the sound of a four-cylinder, the BMW’s twin-turbo V8 is the only way to go. The BMW of course, also offers more space, being a larger car. Just figure out your priorities, and you’ll have a fairly easy decision.