Test drive Audi RS 6, Mercedes E 63 AMG, Porsche Panamera Turbo: a matter of honor

Porsche with a bang to enter the league of sports sedans - Panamera promises four doors, a large trunk and the maximum dynamics traditional for the brand. Mercedes E 63 AMG and Audi But RS 6 are created according to the same appetizing recipe. Which of the three models will best protect the honor of its manufacturer?

What didn't happen before this car was finally shown to the public - after all sorts of eccentric disguises, the Panamera began to "casually" enter the field of view of spy photographers, then Porsche began to show the details of its work. "Hour by spoon", and finally arrived at a bright presentation in Shanghai with its pomp.

Mom's baby

However, the Porsche Panamera has become a fact, and now it can do what it does best, which is to deliver sports emotions to its drivers. Boundless blue without a single cloud stretches over our heads, carbon and metal details shine in the rays of the setting sun. The speed is 220 km / h, the tachometer needle shows 3000 rpm, and the “long” seventh gear of the direct transmission with two clutches tries to keep the 500 horsepower eight-cylinder engine on a peculiar diet. Consumption ranges from 9,5 to 25 liters per hundred kilometers, and the average measured value in the test was approximately 18 l / 100 km.

Similar, albeit slightly better, fuel economy results come from the Mercedes E 63 AMG and Audi RS 6, which nudge the rear of the Zuffenhausen with their LED lights and even more impressive power figures. 580 horsepower for Audi, 525 for Mercedes, since then words seem redundant. Porsche is trying to convince us that even if two of their model's opponents had 1000 horses under their hoods, they still couldn't outshine the Panamera's looks. The car's designers are proud that development started with the idea of ​​four seats and from there a clean white slate – a sporty low seating position is Porsche's law.

Houston, we have a problem!

Well, obviously, sensible use of interior space is not among the strengths of those working on the Panamera. Any self-respecting Japanese engineer would resort to hara-kiri if he were responsible for such a ridiculous internal volume in a giant body almost five meters long and almost two meters wide. It's undeniable that there is no other five-meter sedan that looks as much like a classic sports car inside as the Panamera. The dominant feature of the interior is the monumental center console with buttons that divides the cockpit into four separate "cavities". The seats are tight and sporty contoured, and rear seat adjustment is an extra charge. However, for no amount can you get more headroom when you are sitting in the second row - in the name of the sacrifice of body proportions and the last chance to do something like that.

Starting at around BGN 300, Porsche offers in the list of optional equipment everything a customer of such a car could want, including countless combinations of leather upholstery and interior trim, a sophisticated touchscreen infotainment system and a perfect fit. parking assistant. By the way, given the information about the almost zero review of the driver's seat, the latter option is absolutely mandatory.

The cheaper Audi and Mercedes models, which cost around 70 leva, also have some parameters that we would like to improve. For example, the Audi RS 000, built on the sturdy base of the production A6, boasts metal and carbon inserts, but is equipped with low-quality sports seats and over-positioned sports seats. The folks at AMG have added perfect sports seats, lots of carbon and metal, and a few dedicated buttons on the center console to the E-Class's rather simple interior, but the car continues to fall short of its two opponents when it comes to finesse. some details.

We'd better shut up ...

After starting the engine, the mentioned remark somehow loses its meaning - just the shock sound wave of the V8 monster under the hood can leave you breathless. The monumental naturally aspirated engine is devoid of any connection with its high-volume counterparts in the brand's lineup. The model designation is an homage to the wild 1968 300 SEL 6.3 sports sedan, so despite its 6,2-litre cubic capacity, the 63 is labeled "100". The launch of the car is comparable to the takeoff of a fighter jet, for which the phenomenal work of the seven-speed automatic transmission with wet plate clutch played a significant role. The box responds quickly and with the playfulness of a professional pilot, changes gears in an incredible XNUMX milliseconds when necessary.

The Audi RS 6 works very differently with its V10. The unit has a "related" connection with a ten-cylinder automatic machine. Lamborghini, but unlike it is equipped with two turbochargers. Turbines are supplied by IHI, which sounds like a "giggle" and with its brutal manner causes spontaneous manifestations of children's satisfaction. The neck vertebrae and stomachs of the rugged cab are put to the test every time the 580 horses gallop.

The 2058-kilogram mastodon's acceleration is quite ambitious, the all-wheel drive system never allows for loss of traction, the six-speed gearbox harmonizes well with the engine. If you're determined to test your top speed (for an additional fee, the electronic limiter can be moved from 250 to 280 km/h), the RS 6 will surely blow your mind when, at 260 km/h, the deafening rumble of the exhaust system will entice you through. in sixth gear. In general, free tracks are a real paradise for Audi - this is where the model feels at home.

The E 63 has an armada of assistance systems and is in its waters both on the highway and on the most extreme mountain roads, and even rides well. The translation of the electronic speed limit to 300 kilometers per hour costs about 4000 euros and includes a special training program for the owner.

In Porsche, the push of a button with the eloquent Sport Plus logo automatically connects the Panamera to the 300 km / h club. In other operating modes, the maximum achievable speed is “only” 270 km / h. The 4,8-liter engine with modified turbochargers has a monstrous torque of 700 Newton meters (which, thanks to the Overboost function, becomes even 770 for a short time), and therefore even the lightest throttle is enough to throw a car with brutal power. forward. On the other hand, the sluggish response of the dual-clutch gearbox doesn't suit the Panamera's sporty character, thankfully at least its Sport mode works a little better. In addition, Porsche passengers are forced to put up with an overtly wooden ride when the car steps on the optional 20-inch wheels, and a high-tech dual-chamber air suspension with adaptive dampers and active anti-roll bars cannot compensate for this phenomenon.

Sharp irregularities such as transverse seams or holes with sharper edges result in an unrelenting bump, and long irregularities are repaired with undeniable professionalism. One cannot help but admire the almost perfect precision with which the Panamera is recognized on all types of roads.

On the road

On uneven surfaces, Audi's steering allows for a dangerous amount of vibration, and in tight corners sweat drops on the driver's forehead for good reason - if the pilot does not appreciate his surgical precision with the steering wheel, the RS 6 reacts with powerful understeer, and possibly harshness. Moving the load to either of the two axles can make rear end movement extremely difficult to control. The weightlifter from Ingolstadt needs a well-trained hand behind the wheel, the turn must be cut carefully and not too late, and the right foot can only afford to step on the gas pedal to the bottom only after the car has chosen the right trajectory.

The E 63, in turn, demonstrates how a high-end sports sedan should stand in the way. The AMG team did a remarkably good job and invested in a sophisticated suspension system for both axles (normal front with adaptive dampers, rear with air elements, also adaptable to different situations). The result is almost unique - driving comfort is excellent, handling is typical of a rear-wheel drive car and it is distinguished by impeccable precision. The V8 engine provides monstrous traction in all possible operating modes - from idle to over 7000 rpm, the gearbox accelerates the model weighing almost two tons like a real dragster, manual mode with handlebar plates includes an automatic intermediate throttle. when returning to a lower gear.

Currently, in this class, only the Panamera can offer comparable driving performance. The finely tuned suspension with double wishbones up front, a sophisticated multi-link rear axle, active sway bars and a low center of gravity are all done like a textbook. Having accelerated the five-meter Porsche at full throttle through a complex combination of turns, you will most likely forget about the narrow rear compartment and other shortcomings of the model. The car remains completely neutral even in the face of frantic provocations, border mode starting with slight understeer followed by a sharp but still manageable rear end skid. A perfectly tuned ESP system and flexible torque distribution between the two axles are often enough to smoothly stabilize the body.

In fact, one would expect fantastic handling from the Panamera, but still the model remains in second place - with a slight lead over the heavy-duty but rather clumsy Audi RS 6 in the corner and significantly inferior to the brilliant E 63 AMG in all respects.

text: Jorn Thomas

a photo: Hans-Dieter Zeufert

Evaluation

1. Mercedes E 63 AMG - 502 points

AMG has succeeded in bringing the sports sedan close to attainable perfection. With extremely dynamic driving behavior typical of rear-wheel drive, pleasant light-headedness when cornering, easy cornering, brutally powerful V8 and quite satisfactory comfort, the E 63 wins this comparison without much appeal.

2. Porsche Panamera Turbo - 485 points.

Panamera Turbo is a sports car disguised as a five-meter limousine. An eccentric exterior design, a rather narrow interior with a specific atmosphere, fantastic handling and impeccable road holding. Serious disadvantages are limited comfort and lack of good visibility from the driver's seat.

3. Audi RS5 5.0 TFSI Quattro - 479 points

King of the highway. Thanks to the lubricating power of the V10 bi-turbo engine, the RS 6 accelerates the piston at all speeds, thanks to its twin transmission it has good traction, but feels good, especially when driving in a straight line. In the turn, the deficit of reserves of the chassis is clearly visible.

technical details

1. Mercedes E 63 AMG - 502 points	2. Porsche Panamera Turbo - 485 points.	3. Audi RS5 5.0 TFSI Quattro - 479 points
Working volume	-	-	-
Power	525 k. From. at 6800 rpm	500 k. From. at 6000 rpm	580 k. From. at 6250 rpm
Maximum torque	-	-	-
Acceleration 0-100 km / h	4,5 with	4,2 with	4,7 with
Braking distances at a speed of 100 km / h	38 m	38 m	38 m
full speed	250 km / h	303 km / h	250 km / h
Average consumption fuel in the test	16,4 l	17,8 l	16,9 l
Base Price	224 372 levov	297 881 levov	227 490 levov

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