While the straight-line contests were as stunning as they were predictable, laps around the East Loop of the Buttonwillow race circuit produced a few surprises. While the S6 is down on sheer thrust, it has spectacular brakes, gobs of grip (0.89 g), and by far the most stability of the trio. Squeeze your foot down in a corner and the S6 just lunges forward, its considerable curb weight seemingly doing an instant Slim Fast, the nicely weighted steering transmitting plenty of warning when the chassis finally begins to understeer. A master of momentum-management, the S6 posted a lap time just one tenth of a second behind the almighty M5 (on our shorter, tighter Figure Eight test, the S6 won handily).
The BMW may ultimately have a performance edge, but you'll work a lot harder to see it. First, you'll need to set up all the systems just so (say hello to Mr. iDrive). Out on the track, watch that throttle-tickle on too much gas in a corner and the tail heads for Alaska. (Admittedly, the chassis is beautifully balanced and the power-oversteer drifting is fun, but too often there isn't a racetrack around when you need one.) Hot laps are aided by superb steering, perfectly placed SMG paddles, and an excellent head-up display that shows your selected gear and an easy-to-monitor pictogram of engine revs. It all adds up to a machine that screams "track car." If that's what you're looking for-be honest with yourself-the M5 offers a totally immersive driving experience.
The E63 attacks the track like a bull. It has to go easy through turns-too much weight and torque for those narrow hooves-yet on the straights it charges with a V-8 bellow that could frighten the V-10s right off the circuit (when it comes to making motors, AMG is clearly in tight with the gods on Mt. Olympus). Addictive as the acceleration is, though, compared with the finely sorted Audi and BMW the Mercedes ultimately feels like a locomotive. You'd love the E63 on the autobahn, but around the track and in the Figure Eight, it finished a distant third.
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