Never judge a book by its cover. The old adage is also true when it comes to cars. Just because a car is fast doesn’t mean it looks it. The cars in this roundup are foxes in sheep’s clothing: the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG, Audi S6 and BMW M5. From the outside, they appear to be rather sedate mid-sized luxury sedans. However, once you step on the accelerator pedal, you’ll quickly realize they are anything but.
These are high-performance machines that let you have your cake and eat it, too: the versatility of a four-door with the performance of a sports coupe. They are perfect for anyone who doesn’t have the space or desire to keep more than one car in his or her garage. So get ready as JEZ feeds your automotive addiction and takes on more than 1,440 horsepower and 1,246 lb.-ft. of torque in this battle of the sport sedans.
2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG
Sleek, seductive and saucy, the Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG trumps the competition with its 507-horsepower, 6.3-liter V8 engine, the most powerful of these speed demons. Though Audi’s S6 runs on 10 cylinders, the CLS63 AMG manages to best it by sprinting to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds–crowning it the baddest speed demon in this competition.
The CLS63 AMG’s styling is the most striking of this group. A low-slung roof, headlights that are chiseled into the sheet metal and a shape that gets wider as you approach the rear give the CLS63 AMG its double-take looks. Dramatic lines that swoop from the front wheel all the way to the taillights make the CLS appear more coupe-like than a traditional four-door sedan. In fact, the CLS63 AMG only offers a rather coupe-like four seats. And it’s a good thing because the CLS’ rear seat legroom is the smallest of these titans, measuring just 35 inches, some 1.9 inches less than the Audi S6. However, the CLS63’s front seat wins by a nose, offering the most legroom with more than 42.1 inches (compared to the M5’s 41.5 inches and the S6’s 41.3 inches). This, more than anything, proves that the CLS63 AMG is truly a driver’s car.
The chic exterior lines lead into the interior where three chronometer-type gauges are surrounded by chrome and more wood. Four-zone climate control helps you stay cool, as do the heated and cooled front seats. The four-spoke steering wheel seems out of place for such a sporty vehicle, but its suede inserts feel so good against your hands that you’ll soon forget about the oversized steering wheel.
With the $9,550 P30 AMG Performance Package, a top speed of 186 miles per hour can be achieved, allowing you to feel just what 507 horsepower can do. The P30 AMG Performance Package also includes a limited slip differential, sterling-finished 19-inch AMG twin-spoke wheels and carbon fiber trim.
Bottom line: If money is no object, the $94,375 CLS63 AMG deserves that coveted spot inside your garage.
2008 Audi S6
You know the automotive engineers have done their job when you have a better time getting to your destination than you have once at your destination. More than any other car in this bunch, the Audi S6 is a blast to drive every day, no matter what your mood or the weather. Its slick-shifting six-speed transmission, sinister V10 engine, spacious interior and large trunk (ties with the CLS for the largest trunk at 15.9 cubic feet to the BMW’s 14) make it ideal for family road trips. You’ll never want to let your spouse, kids or friends drive, that I promise you. However, you can bring along four of your closest friends, whereas the Mercedes limits your choice to three.
The Audi S6’s exterior is sharp, like an athlete dressed in an Armani suit. It’s not ostentatious or loud; subtle hints are your only clue that this is a V10 S6 and not your co-workers’ A6. A total of 10 LED daytime running lights, five on each side, are situated below the front bumper, flanked by Audi’s signature trapezoidal grille. These tiny LEDs give the S6 a menacing appearance from the front. The LEDs and aluminum-looking exterior mirrors are the biggest giveaways this is a unique Audi. From the rear, the S6 sports four ellipsoidal tailpipes built into the color-contrasting diffuser.
Crank the S6 to life, and you’ll be charmed by the V10’s low, baritone burble. Of the competition, the S6’s engine note at idle is the most pleasant. However, its 435 horsepower and 398 lb.-ft. of torque (while still more powerful than 99.9 percent of all cars on the road today) make it the least powerful of the roster (keep in mind this is a group of super high-performance vehicles). Zero to 60 mph under ideal traction situations is achieved in 5.1 seconds, plenty fast, but still the slowest in the group. However, once the conditions turn less than ideal, the S6’s standard Quattro all-wheel-drive system will come out ahead of the other two rear drivers. Amazingly, despite the AWD and the added cylinders, the S6 also manages the best fuel economy of the three, averaging 16.5 mpg, compared to the AMG’s 15 mpg and the M5’s 14 mpg.
Slide behind the S6’s three-spoke sports steering wheel, and you’ll be impressed by the ergonomic controls and high-quality materials. Aluminum, wood and fine leather abound throughout the interior. The S6’s interior reigns supreme: Its Multi-Media Interface system is much easier to use than BMW’s i-Drive and the 7-inch screen is larger and brighter than that of the Mercedes. Plus, the navigation system is light-years ahead of the Mercedes in terms of its usability and features. For example, the S6 allows you to enter a specific street address, rather than a range of street numbers as is the case with Mercedes. This takes the guesswork out of getting to your destination. With a base price of $73,100, the 2008 S6 is a bargain.
Bottom line: Its comfortable interior, everyday drivability and reasonable price make it the standout in this competition. However, for the ultimate in power, look no further than the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG.
2008 BMW M5
What comes closest to the powerful sensation of a Boeing 757 revving its massive jet-engines for take-off? The 2008 BMW M5 sports sedan–one of the quickest five-passenger luxury sedans on the market. Can it outrun a Boeing? No, but the M5’s 500 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,100 rpm delivers comparable Gs as it races to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. Though the Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG out-muscles the M5 by 7 horsepower and outruns it to 60 by two-tenths of a second, the M5 still turns in a solid performance, besting the Audi S6 by six-tenths of a second.
However, unlike the Audi S6, the M5 sends all its power to the rear wheels. Consequently, like with the CLS63 AMG, the M5 sometimes feels a bit too powerful for its wheels, especially when you’re trying to accelerate in loose gravel or up an incline. The other big complaint with the M5 is its SMG gearbox. In this match-up, where refinement and daily use is of utter importance, the SMG is trounced by the smooth shifting seven- and six-speed transmissions of the CLS63 AMG and the Audi S6. Luckily, though, the M5 offers up a no-cost six-speed manual transmission, but it can be difficult in Atlanta’s notorious stop-and-go traffic.
The M5’s interior definitely leads the pack when it comes to available gadgets and gizmos. Settle into the optional $1,900 M Multi-Function Seats, and you’ll experience BMW’s amazing active side bolsters. In response to cornering forces, the seats automatically hug you to keep you in place during hard cornering. For example, in a hard right-hand corner, the bolster’s left side will automatically move inward to keep you snugly in place. You’ll need those active bolsters when you exercise the BMW’s awesome reflexes, in part due to electronic dampening. Electronic Damper Control enables the driver to choose from three different suspension settings: sport, comfort and normal. Select “sport” and the M5 corners as if it’s on rails, remaining flat even as the vehicle reaches the outer limits of adhesion. In this mode, it feels like an F1 race car with a choppy ride that feels perfectly suited for the track. Of this bunch, the M5 takes the cake when it comes to neutral, balanced, predictable handling.
Think you’ll never be able to try out the M5’s awesome capabilities? Included in the M5’s purchase price is a trip to BMW’s Performance Driving School, where owners learn performance driving techniques on BMW’s state-of-the-art test track. Located in Spartanburg, S.C., the track is about a three-hour drive from Atlanta–shorter if you’re driving the M5, of course. The Spartanburg facility is the best stateside, manufacturer-backed performance driving school around.
From the outside, the M5’s looks may leave you cold. However, if you find the BMW 5-Series attractive, then you’ll be pleased with the M5’s beefier appearance. The M5 sports an athletic front apron with large front air intakes and BMW’s signature kidney-shaped grille. Stunning 19-inch wheels fill out the muscular wheel wells, while subtle M5 badging appears just forward of the front doors above the side turn-signal. In back, four round tailpipes framed by tires measuring nearly 1 foot wide reveal that this is not your brother’s 5-Series Bimmer.
Inside, exuding superlative Teutonic design, the M5 is awash in fine leathers and high-end materials. However, the cup holders are flimsy, and the i-Drive system takes practice and patience. The M5 doesn’t take home first place when it comes to the interior, but it will impress you if you love all the latest in technology.
The 2008 BMW M5’s $83,675 sticker puts it right in the middle of the Audi S6’s $73,100 price and the most expensive Mercedes, which retails for $94,375.
Bottom line: If you still can’t live without a manual transmission, the M5 is your only option in this line-up, an option that will leave you plenty satisfied.