Test drive BMW M6 Cabrio versus Mercedes SL 63 AMG: two turbocharged converters with 575 and 585 hp.
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Test drive BMW M6 Cabrio versus Mercedes SL 63 AMG: two turbocharged converters with 575 and 585 hp.

Test drive BMW M6 Cabrio versus Mercedes SL 63 AMG: two turbocharged converters with 575 and 585 hp.

What can they do? BMW M6 Cabrio and Mercedes SL 63 AMG on the race track?

Sometimes theory and practice are as close as Unterturkheim and Shanghai. "What test are we going to face?" Mercedes SL 63 AMG with 585 hp vs. BMW M6 Cabrio with 575 hp Competition Package From a conversation with the photographer, it is clear that for the title page we need a large photo with smoking tires. So far with theory.

BMW M6 Cabrio prevents tires from rolling

The collision with practice occurred two hours later on an abandoned secondary road. First experience with the BMW M6 Cabrio, of course, with DSC disabled. Having thus freed the Bavarian from electronic restrictions, the photographer takes a stand. We apply the brakes, apply full throttle and at the same time slowly release the brake pedal - completely in accordance with the typical formula for spectacularly smoking rear tires.

But what does the BMW M6 Cabrio do? Even when DSC is off, its electronics continue to resist. You cannot start by releasing the brake and turning the rear wheels. And without a brake? Even with the sharpest acceleration, the mechanical traction is so great that the rear wheels hardly slip. The result: a little smoke, but by no means an impressive sight.

While our light hunter squats in a ditch in amazement, the frustrated driver switches from a BMW M6 to a Mercedes SL 63 AMG. The gearbox control electronics here again offers only “or - or” in the “ESP off” mode: either stop or start. No chance for Shelby Mustang style smoky burnout orgies. Sad modern electronic age.

Mercedes SL 63 AMG paints 50m black autograph on asphalt

So we're heading back to the office without a picture of smoking tires? No, fortunately, many videos on Youtube reveal a combination of buttons with which, through a hidden submenu, the Mercedes SL 63 AMG can enter the test bench mode. With a few clicks of the mouse, we confirm the choice for bench testing drums - and now ESP and ABS are completely disabled. AMG 63 mutates into an unfiltered oil car

We slam on the brake, then slowly release it with plenty of gas – and finally clouds of smoke billow from the rear fenders and Continental Sport Contact smells in the air. Mercedes SL 63 AMG writes a black 50-meter autograph on the pavement. But, dear adults, be careful, because this menu is far from intended for such performances! So, of course, we took a picture with smoke only at the very end of the entire measurement and testing procedure. Hardly any other test last year took us as long as comparing the BMW M6 Cabrio and the Mercedes SL 63 AMG Roadster. This brings us back to the original theme of theory and practice.

First, back in July, two detected athletes showed up at our test airport in Lara, where we had to take standard dynamic measurements at 27 degrees in the shade. First, the muscles of the BMW M6 Cabrio tensed. The optional Competition package (together with 16 932 BGN) contains, together with an increase of 15 hp. Power also chassis modifications with stiffer springs, shock absorbers and stabilizers. In addition, the electronically controlled M differential is electronically tuned to the electronics in conjunction with the Competition package; qi characteristics

Additional power for the BMW M6 Cabrio and SL 63

Despite the fact that the main goal of the Competition package is to improve road dynamics, in addition, M GmbH promises improved sprinting qualities - according to the technical data of the BMW M6 Cabrio, it should achieve a division of 100 and 200 km / h from 0,1 respectively. . 02 seconds faster. The reinforced convertible, with a score of 4,3 and 13,3 seconds, accelerated to 100 km / h 0,2 seconds earlier than the M6 ​​Cabrio without the sports package. Up to 200 km / h, the Competition version even managed to increase the lead to 0,9 seconds.

And what features did the Mercedes SL 63 AMG show in the comparative test? As of June 2014, the 5,5-liter bi-turbo engine with the brand name M157 had an output of 585 hp. in all versions of the SL 63. Version for 537 hp. was excluded, as was the version with the Performance Package (564 hp). For dynamic enthusiasts, the new 2Look Edition equipment line with high-contrast paintwork – like our Designo Magno cashmere test car – probably won't be as exciting as the increased power and limited-slip differential that now come standard.

When measuring acceleration, an increase of 21 hp. compared to the last tested Mercedes SL 63 AMG from the R231 range, it found a rather marginal reflection - the current most powerful SL accelerates to 100 km / h one tenth of a second faster (4,1 seconds), and up to 200 km / h (12,2 sec) the gap increases to 0,3 seconds.

Stopping at the same level

However, the SL braking system showed significant improvements. While the latter, equipped with steel brake discs, the test car showed some weakness when braking at 100 km / h (stopping distance 39,4 meters), today's test car with an optional ceramic brake system (at an additional cost of 16 312 BGN) Has shown itself convincingly. with much more reasonable values ​​(36,7 m). This time there was no question of extinction or similar signs of weakening of action. At an additional cost (BGN 17) The M carbon ceramic braking system of the BMW M530 with Competition Package stops at the same good level (6 m).

We return to the present along an empty intercity road. In 19 seconds, the BMW M6 Cabrio removes the textile “hat” with an electric mechanism, and the SL 63 AMG Roadster simultaneously opens its electro-hydraulic convertible roof with panoramic windows (for an additional fee of BGN 4225). Further down the road, we'll find sweeping curves interspersed with straights - a menu exactly to the taste of two heavy-duty convertibles.

We open the roof and enjoy the sound: while the BMW V8's bi-turbo engine boils with more artificial bass, its AMG counterpart sounds much raucous. However, both twin-turbo units are far from the emotional acoustic carnival of naturally aspirated engines in the previous M6 and SL 63.

In the BMW M6 Cabrio, the ESP warning light comes on.

Despite the sound, today's outdoor athletes behave on straight sections of the road as if they were already at the Nurburgring. Thanks to the fastest of the three gearshift programs, the BMW M6 Cabrio shifts gears on the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission even faster and responds to steering wheel commands even faster than the AMG Speedshift MCT seven-speed automatic transmission in the Mercedes SL. 63 AMG.

The maximum 900 Nm Mercedes rivals the 680 Nm BMW. With the support systems activated, the SL 63 somehow more gallantly transfers torque to the asphalt surface. In other words: the dynamic assistants in the SL do not react to bumps as clearly as the systems in the BMW M6 Convertible.

It is true that one cannot know how often the electronics in the SL actually release all the power of the car, but still the annoying, nervously flashing ESP warning light was relatively rare. On the other hand, whether we drove through highway intersections or through waves on the asphalt of a regular road, the ESP light in the BMW M6 Cabrio flashed on every bump, like a Times Square billboard in New York. At the same time, the BMW model has significantly reduced its power.

We are returning from a winter walk along a deserted road during a time of harsh facts. On 23 July, the BMW M6 Cabrio with Competition Package and the SL 63 AMG hit Hockenheim for the first time. Weighing 2027 kg (M6) and 1847 kg (SL), the BMW (20 kg lighter) and Mercedes (28 kg) models weighed less than the previous version, but these weight data immediately made one thing clear: both convertibles are likely to be much seen more often at VIP parking along the slopes than on the tracks themselves.

The BMW M6 Cabrio completed the short course in 1.14,7 minutes.

But while the heavy weight was always felt, both heavy stones fought surprisingly well on the racetrack. It is important to note that on July 23, the temperature outside was similar to the climate in the oven of the Hockenheim pizzeria. The BMW M6 Combined Unit reported 35 degrees Celsius and the asphalt temperature exceeded 50 degrees.

However, after a quick lap on the Short Course, the M6 ​​test card produced a number of positive results: excellent grip on the front and rear axles, surprisingly neutral cornering, in Sport Plus mode, the steering system honestly communicates contact with the road and is rigid, requiring some effort to drive; The ABS is working properly, the transmission shifts quickly and accepts any new gear without delay. With a lap time of 1.14,7 minutes, the M6Competition is 0,7 seconds faster than a "regular" convertible with 560 hp.

While the BMW V8's twin-turbo engine handled the extreme temperatures well, the SL unit was a little choked on the track. Later, when we compared lap times, it was clear from the data records that from 150 km / h and above the intermediate acceleration was not as strong as in cooler conditions. Did the car electronics fail to detect a thermal problem and reduce engine power properly? Subjectively, it looked like this. After a lap that the Mercedes SL 63 AMG could not complete in less than 1.14 minutes, we interrupted the drive to Hockenheim and sent the V8 bi-turbo engine back to Alfatherbach for a technical inspection. However, according to AMG, the scan tool found no problems.

BMW M6 Cabrio with bad luck

We set a second test date to measure lap times, and at the end of August we took to the track again. For results to be comparable, both models should have had another chance of a fast lap in slightly cooler conditions. While the SL 63 made it to Hockenheimring without any problems, the BMW M6 Cabrio suffered radiator damage, which was not to blame. A piece of a wrecked car lying on a freeway, thrown into the air by a car in front for bad luck in the nose of a BMW convertible. It was no longer possible to think about a simultaneous fight to achieve a better lap time. Here we again faced the topic of theory and practice ...

The SL 63 AMG only rotated on short courses. At 26 degrees, the V8 biturbo began to work more willingly. In the SL, not only is the driving position deeper than in the M6, but the center of gravity of the two-seat model from Stuttgart also seems to be lower. The Mercedes SL 63 AMG makes good use of its lighter weight of 180 kilograms. With an optional AMG Performance chassis and 30 percent stiffer shock absorbers, it moves more easily around the race track (if you use that word, if you weigh 1847 kg), enters corners more directly when stopped. it doesn't drag as much and scores points for surprisingly good grip when accelerating.

Road feedback is accurate, but the steering wheel itself is too light. Compared to the hard steering of the M6, the SL's gearing creates a bit of an artificial feel. While the ceramic braking system performs convincingly in Hockenheim with braking accelerations of up to 11,5 m/s2, the Continental tires set driving limits close to the traction limit. The fastest time is 1.13,1 minutes, which the SL 63 showed on the first detected lap. Then, over the next three laps of the short course, the level of grip dropped significantly. And don't forget: the temperature outside at 26 degrees was still quite high.

No more chances for the M6 ​​and SL 63 AMG

Our gut feeling was that in cooler weather, both cars could go around faster. Our desire to test both Hockenheim models at comparable temperatures led us to re-order test vehicles. October 27th at 14 degrees was the perfect time for a track duel between the SL 63 and the BMW M6. However, here we have entered the topic “Accessibility of the Hockenkimring”. An external special events agency arranged for BMW Motorsport a week of driving training on the Baden circuit for Formula 1, which coincided with the third visit to the M6 ​​and SL 63. We are usually allowed to use the one hour lunch break for lap tests. but this time the organizers of the training were adamant. Both the SL 63 and the M6 ​​Cabrio were scrapped and had no way to improve on their past.

That's all there is to the theory and practice of test execution. Here's an explanation of why, in the photos, we were so ambitious to get at least one perfect start with smoking tires shortly before the end of the test.

Text: Christian Gebhart

Photo: Ahim Hartmann

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