CLS-Class

Audi RS7 vs. Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG S vs. Porsche Panamera Turbo

Luxury Super Sports Sedan Battle

Words John Clark
January 22, 2014
Luxury Super Sports Sedan Battle
Words John Clark January 22, 2014

Just yesterday, we discussed with you how the S63 AMG put the Jaguar XJR to shame in a head-to-head matchup.  And now today, thanks to the guys over at MotorTrend, we have a battle between the Audi RS7 vs. Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG S vs. Porsche Panamera Turbo.  Three Luxury Super Sports Sedans all vying for the top position in the pack.  So which car claimed victory?  Read on for a few highlights from the battle or click here to skip to the gallery for the final results.

In there 0-60 mph test, the CLS63 and the Panamera Turbo both took 3.4 seconds to hit 60 mph while the RS7 hit 60 mph in 3.2 seconds. In the quarter-mile, the last place went to the Panamera, with a time of 11.8 seconds and a top speed of 116.4 mph. The Mercedes came in second with a speedy time of 11.7 seconds and a top speed of 122.7 mph. The RS7 again pulled out the win here with a time of 11.6 seconds to finish the quarter mile with a trap speed of 120.4 mph — lower than CLS63’s, but the Mercedes peaked to late for a win.

One of the greatest engines on sale today. One of the pushiest, most understeering chassis, too.

Audi RS7

On the figure-eight course, the RS7, having done amazing when going in a straight line, came in last with a time of 24.2 seconds while the Mercedes CLS AMG held its middle spot with a respectable time of 23.9 seconds (keep in mind a Ferrari 458 Italia takes 24.0 seconds to complete the same distance). The winner on the figure-eight was the Panamera Turbo, completing the course in only 23.7 seconds.  Additional turn testing was done on the streets of Willow by Randy Pobst with some shocking results. The CLS63 AMG took the longest to complete the 1.6-mile road course with a time of 1:24.71, followed by the Audi RS7 with a time of 1:24.30.  The winner hear was the Porsche with an impressive time of 1:22.68.

The downfall of of the Mercedes didn’t like in the engine however but rather in the poor quality tires. Fitted with Continental ContiSportContact 5Ps, the tires are fine on the street but nearly worthless on the track.  The Pirelli P Zeros on the RS7 faired slightly better with the Porsche’s Michelin Pilot Super Sports tires doing the best and showing little wear at the end.

Porsche Panamera Turbo

Porsche Panamera Turbo

As for how the three luxury super sports cars stack up when it comes to your wallet, the Porsche is clearly the loser at $195,510 (as-tested), making the Audi RS7 look like a deal with an as-tested price of $125,595.  The Mercedes CLS63 AMG caused the least pain to your wallet with an as tested price of $116,985.

Call us shocked but but according to testers, world's third-quickest sedan felt dull compared with the others. We'd like a rematch.

Mercedes CLS 63 AMG

You can read more of the in-depth matchup from Motortrend here or you can skip down to the gallery to see who the winner was.