MotorTrend: Audi S7 Basically Matches Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Performance. What Will the RS7 Be Capable Of?

GermanNut submitted on 1/19/2013 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 3:21:10 PM

24 user comments | Views : 7,394 | Category: Spy Shots | Source: | SOURCE: www.motortrend.com

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MotorTrend recently tested that Audi S7 and was very surprised with the performance numbers.

Not only did the S7 have much better performance numbers than the Mercedes-Benz CLS550, it's closest rival and intended target, but it nearly matched the more powerful CLS 63 AMG.

With 420 horsepower and 406 pound feet of torque from the TwinTurbo V-8 engine, the S7 is down 140 horsepower and 47 lb. feet of torque to the more powerful RS7. Does this mean the upcoming RS7 will be the new performance king of the segment?

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MotorTrend: Audi S7 Basically Matches Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Performance. What Will the RS7 Be Capable Of?

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GermanNut

— GermanNut (View Profile)


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PQ40

Gnut must only rate cars on 0 to 60, b/c the Mercedes traps the quarter mile 10mph faster, and that's with out the new power boost, and Awd option the new CLS,E63amg are receiving. Which will also cut down 0-60 times significantly. Also C&D just came out with their lightning lap issue, and the M5 lapped the track almost 5 seconds faster than the S6, which is HUGE, not likely 140hp can fix 5 seconds a lap.

— PQ40 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/20/2013 9:58:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

PQ40

I know. You should tell MT and C&D.

— PQ40 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/21/2013 12:45:26 PM | | Votes: 2   

PQ40

Oh, but the point I am making is that "hanging" to 60 is irrelevant, and an outdated way to measure an cars general performance. I'm discrediting Audi, and crediting the competition. Because in reality the M5 walks all over the S6, despite the S6 matching the M5's 60 time in ONE review. Best example is the lightning lap referenced in my first post.

— PQ40 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2013 5:44:44 PM | | Votes: 2   

GermanNut

PQ40 must have not read the whole article because he obviously missed the below quote:

"In fact, the S7 will even run with Mercedes' big stick, the CLS63 AMG. The two are dead even to 60 mph and the AMG gains only two-tenths of a second on the Audi in the quarter-mile, though it's traveling nearly 10 mph faster when all that extra horsepower hits its stride. The Audi, though, pulled high gs, was faster around the figure eight, and out-stopped the AMG from 60 mph by 10 feet, needing only 103 feet to come to a standstill. So, how 'bout that RS7, huh? Clearly, we've established that the S7 is punching above its weight class. How does it translate to the street? Pretty well, thank you very much."

Sure the 1/4 mile time maybe two tenths of a second lower for the CLS63 AMG and the speed 10 mph faster, BUT the Audi pulled MORE gs on the skidpad, was FASTER around the figure eight, and stopped from 60 mph in 10 FEWER feet than the CLS63 AMG.

The RS7 will easily make up the gap between the S6 and the M5.

Even with the 4Matic AWD on the E63/CLS63, the AMG Benzes will still weight a lot. The power boost CLS63 AMG S-type will probably cost at least $15-20K more than the RS7 and ONLY outperform it in acceleration tests (0-60, 1/4 mile) but will still lose out on figure eight and track testing.

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 1/20/2013 10:22:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

PQ40

Awd will easily improve the cls's lateral, and figure 8 numbers. Also currently the E63 is lightest in class it weighs 4050lb, the updated E63 with awd weighs an extra 159lbs equaling 4200lb , or about 100 lbs less than the rs6. cls with awd will weigh around 4400lbs same as the s7 and lighter than the rs.

— PQ40 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/20/2013 11:44:31 PM | | Votes: 2   

DeutschlandV8

Everyone tell germannut his audis are good so he doesn't have a melt down. Fast car, but in the R&T comparo the cls550 stopped shorter when compared at the same time as the s7. Maybe if MT compared the S7, and CLS63 at the same time, instead of taking numbers from an old review the numbers would be more reliable for comparison.

— DeutschlandV8 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/21/2013 12:13:50 AM | | Votes: 3   

Lexus

Very impressive performance numbers for a luxury car that size. But it is NO Where near the performance of the Legendary Nissan GT-R which does 0-60 in 2.7s and 1/4 in 10.8-10.9s for the 2013 model and the 2014 GT-R is much faster as well. Plus the Nissan GT-R is a track super sports car that happen to be fast in a straight line.

— Lexus (View Profile)

Posted on 1/20/2013 10:31:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

85bmw745i

How is the GTR even brought up in this discussion? This is a midsize luxury sedan comparison, not a 2 door supercar comparison. The GTR, as good as the AWD system performs, will never offroad as well as a Land Rover. Now how does ridiculous did that sound? Exactly.

— 85bmw745i (View Profile)

Posted on 1/21/2013 2:20:42 AM | | Votes: 4   

cidflekken

Honestly, (and I'm a 2012 Audi owner), I'm getting a bit tired of both C&D and MT extolling the prowess of the S7 and S6 based strictly on short-range acceleration. Past 60 and the 1/4 mile, the S6 and S7 are no match for the AMGs and Ms. It's just a fact that no one can refute. Are the short-range numbers impressive? Of course. But don't forget to balance the message, either.

And I know exactly why Audis are such great short-range-accelerating cars. It's all in the transmission tuning. As FINALLY a major publication mentions, the sensitivity of the throttle is absolutely off-putting (no, MT didn't use these words but they mentioned the touchy throttle) and, frankly, not what I want in a car. The A4, with its 211 hp, is praised for a 0-60 time of 5.6 seconds, but it's also mainly because of the transmission tuning. I had this exact A4 as a loner car and, honestly, I refused to drive it because I felt completely out of control of its acceleration habits. I'm not necessarily saying this is a bad thing. It's just absolutely not for me and I've had and have my share of sports/sporty cars. The car was jumpier than a cat in a pitbull cage.

— cidflekken (View Profile)

Posted on 1/20/2013 11:51:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

chewy

Let's compare high speed acceleration of the cars in question from the R&T test a month back.

Audi S7 100-120 mph: 4.4 seconds
CLS 550 4matic: 4.5 seconds
650GC xdrive: 5.1 seconds

— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 1/22/2013 2:52:29 PM | | Votes: -2   

bmwm6

That would be called the exception, more importantly that is only a 20mph range which would more or less do with gearing.

— bmwm6 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2013 5:48:42 AM | | Votes: 2   

chewy

Oh come on, if R&T had data for a higher speed spread I would give it to you, pick any spread you want and the S7 will more than likely be quicker. This has nothing to do with gearing because by the time these cars get to 100 they have been accelerating for 9-10 seconds going flat out. If your excuse is gearing than the S7 somehow manages to have the better gearing at all times aka it has better power to weight at all times.

— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2013 1:53:44 PM | | Votes: 0   

bmwm6

Definitely the exception. If you look at the R&T article it states all 3 cars were with in a tenth to sixty when launch control was not used. Also the BMW had an 8 speed transmission, compared to the Audi, and Mercedes being equipped with 7 speeds. While the 8 speed is good for efficiency it compromises high speed acceleration.

Look at the gear ratios in the article for the 100 to 120 speeds. The Audi is able to ride 3rd gear from 92 mph to 126mph essentially giving it a clean pull through the 100 to 120mhp trap. The mercedes hits 3rd right at 100mph only hindering it slightly but can ride 3rd to 133mph allowing it to pull through 120mph with no interruption other than at the 100mph shift. The BMW with the 8 speed shifts into 3rd at 86mph then hits 4th at 107mph. It has to shift right in the middle of the 100 to 120mph range which slows its time considerably..but look at 0 to 30 when they are in the same gear to the same exact speed the 650 actually matches the S7's time with launch control. After than the 650's shorter gearing, which helps efficiency huts its acceleration.

— bmwm6 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2013 6:17:58 PM | | Votes: 2   

chewy

Take a look at the MT test figures, take a look at the RT data and you will see the gap growing as speeds increase. The lighter CLS 550 is closer. Whichever way you look at it the S7 about splits the acceleration of the 650i GC and the M6 GC as it was intended to do so. The RS7 should trap past 120 in the 1/4 mile, we'll see how much higher in due time.

— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2013 9:40:24 PM | | Votes: 0   

dayday

Wheels Magazine in Australia tested the S7 with 650GC and CLS500. S7 did exactly same as the other two for 0-100kmh time. I don't know how it can be so much faster in the US.

— dayday (View Profile)

Posted on 1/21/2013 5:27:03 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Lexus

@85bmw745i,

I brought the Nissan GT-R up because MT was saying how it's only 5 tenth of a second slower than the Nissan GT-R and ZR1.

I'm so Sorry that you're butt hurt because BMW has nothing that can compete with the Nissan GT-R or Audi R8 V10, or even in the same league. Or maybe you're just butt hurt because this Audi S7 beat your belove it BMW? LMAO........

— Lexus (View Profile)

Posted on 1/21/2013 4:31:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

85bmw745i

Um, Actually I like the S7 alot. And no it doesn't make my butt hurt that BMW doesn't make a car to compete with the GTR anymore than I would be that Audi doesn't make a vehicle to compete with a Ford F-150. Sounds like your butt hurts, since you are the one acting like a kid. I will continue to be the grown man in this situation and voice my opinions like an adult. It seems my comment must have hurt your feelings and/or made you feel insecure.
"@85bmw745i,

brought the Nissan GT-R up because MT was saying how it's only 5 tenth of a second slower than the Nissan GT-R and ZR1."

Nowhere in your previous post did you mention anything about MT or the ZR-1. had you said what you meant I would have had no reason to say what I did.

Very impressive performance numbers for a luxury car that size. But it is NO Where near the performance of the Legendary Nissan GT-R which does 0-60 in 2.7s and 1/4 in 10.8-10.9s for the 2013 model and the 2014 GT-R is much faster as well. Plus the Nissan GT-R is a track super sports car that happen to be fast in a straight line.

Where in that post do you see MT or ZR-1? Reading this anybody would question why you brought up the GTR. All that post says is how superior the GTR is (and I agree), a car which, in no way, shape or fomr, competes with the A7 or its competitors, so yes, in that post it was pointless to bring up the GTR (which, by the way is one of my favorite cars). I'm not a BMW fan boy, so you are wasting your sore fingers on your keyboard with the whole part about my butt hurting because BMW lost or that BMW doesn't have a GTR competitor. In fact, I do not like the direction BMW has taken, which is why I don't care for the new ones. some look good, but BMW has lost their way. They don't have that steering and feel that their cars from the 80-s-early 2000's had.

— 85bmw745i (View Profile)

Posted on 1/22/2013 8:18:56 PM | | Votes: 1   

85bmw745i

Oh, and beloved is a single word, not belove it.

— 85bmw745i (View Profile)

Posted on 1/22/2013 8:20:54 PM | | Votes: 1   

Lexus

When BMW make a car that can hang with the Nissan GT-R in a straight line, race track, good fuel mileage as well and cost around $100k, than we talk. Till then keep wasting our time because the Nissan will DESTROY anything BMW has. LOL..........

ha...ha...ha...

— Lexus (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2013 1:21:58 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

85bmw745i

Um, okay, for the last time I am not a BMW fanboy. My screen name is what it is because I own an 85 745i turbo. It is a grey market car that was never sold in America. With a simple ECU flash, cartech rising rate fuel pressure regulator and a modified wastegate it dynoed 399hp to the rear wheels on 98 octane fuel. Yes, I agree. BMW doesn't have anything to compete with the GTR, and Nissan, nor Infinity has nothing to compete with the M3, M5, M6, M6 gran coupe, X5M, X6M, or M135i. But I'll let you continue to amuse yourself as you needlessly, and foolishly act like a child and bash BMW thinking it will hurt my feelings. It will not hurt my feelings. I am a car enthusiast and like all kinds of cars not just one brand. The GTR happens to be one of my favorite cars, so don't let the screen name fool you. P.S. Grow up.

— 85bmw745i (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2013 7:03:58 PM | | Votes: 1   

85bmw745i

The difference is that BMW doesn't build a GTR competitor. Nissan/Infinity builds direct competitors for the BMW 3 series, 5 series, X6, X3, X5 and despite having cars made to go head to head with no less than 5 BMW models, it can't even match, let alone beat a single one from BMW, so Whooptey Doo, Nissan has 1 built while BMW has 5 wins, on cars that are built to compete with one another. BMW doesn't make a GTR competitor, so thats like saying the BMW 7 series smokes the GTR in Luxury and that Nissan doesn't even make a car tat can compete. You see the flaw in your logic. I'd rather lose a competition I didn't enter than to lose 5 competitions that I lost to legitimate competitor. Kinda reminds me of a calculus student bragging about beating a 10 year old kid in a Math speed test who doesn't even study Calculus.

— 85bmw745i (View Profile)

Posted on 1/23/2013 7:15:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

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