The 600 hp duel ! Comparative test: Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC vs. Audi RS 7 Performance.

New rival for the Audi RS 7: the E 63 S with a biturbo V8 in the highest power rating challenges the Audi from Ingolstadt. "New pistons, optimised air intake, higher performance charge air cooling and maximum 1.5 bar overpressure which pump up to 900 Nm and 612 hp out of the crankcase."

With best-in-class performance the E 63 S is always faster than the RS 7 – to 100 km/h (3.3 s), 200 km/h (10.9 s) and also to 300 km/h (33.0 s). The 605 hp Audi keeps up relatively well on the straights – but with a lap time of 1:08.18 minutes it's almost 1.5 seconds slower than the AMG on the test track.

"Despite sports differential and rear axle-biased power distribution the RS 7 hurls itself around the handling course with more front than rear bias." Quite unlike the E 63 S: "ESP off, pull both shift paddles and the E 63 S once again becomes a master of big gestures."

"Even the tightest bend barely makes the saloon from AMG understeer". "The front axle corners steadfastly, takes the apex of every bend with precision, the all-wheel drive powers its way down the straights with just a hint of oversteer, and while the ceramic anchors sweat perceptibly, their effect barely diminishes."

"Quite unlike the RS 7 system whose pedal hangs tiredly in the footwell after just two laps." Under load the Audi keeps understeering; despite the optional sports differential it can't get its rear around. According to the tester the synthetically sharp steering of the RS 7 promises far more precision than the front axle is able to keep.

The verdict on the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC is therefore quite clear: "High-pressure V8 with crazy power output, air suspension with really firm cornering prowess and all-wheel drive with rear agility which precisely combines the two worlds of centrifugal force. Ultimately, the soft sporty Audi sloshes behind quite helplessly."

G.Duse

AutoBild sportscars (D, no. 9/2017)