[Mani59]

We’ve got our hands on the all-new Mercedes-AMG SL 63, and Mat’s about to see if it has what it takes to bring down some of its closest rivals - the BMW M8, and the Audi R8 Spyder!

So let’s see how the three compare. Starting with the AMG, it’s powered by a 4-litre twin-turbo V8 which is good for 585hp and 800Nm of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via a 9-speed automatic gearbox, and it tips the scales at 2,048kg. But not only is it fairly heavy, it’s pretty pricey, costing from £172,000!

Then alongside it we have the BMW M8. Lift up the bonnet and you’ll find a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 under the bonnet, which is good for 625hp and 750Nm. So it’s up on power compared to the AMG, but it’s also up on weight, tipping the scales at 2,100kg! Thankfully it’ll leave a slightly smaller dent on your bank balance, with the price starting from £142,000.

Then finally we have the R8 Spyder. It’s powered by a 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated V10 that can put down 620hp and 580Nm of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and it’s the lightest car here, weighing in at just 1,695kg.

So will the all-new SL 63 win it? There’s only one way to find out for sure… LET’S RACE!

[Vic55]

Saw it, ehhhh in the rain and Rory was using DSC Off--- not the best wet set up with all the tq.

[TupperBMW]

I kinda sorta own 2 of those cars (ok an M850i, but it’s close in a way).

I have yet to drive an AMG V8. When I visit my bro this March in Raleigh I will get a chance to finally drive his new GLE 63S and hear it in all of its glory

Even though my R8 makes more power, the M850i just has so much more torque. I can imagine my Bimmer giving my R8 a run for the money, or even being ahead, in the first half of a quarter mile race

[Beemer5to3]

Originally Posted by TupperBMW

I kinda sorta own 2 of those cars (ok an M850i, but it’s close in a way).

I have yet to drive an AMG V8. When I visit my bro this March in Raleigh I will get a chance to finally drive his new GLE 63S and hear it in all of its glory

Even though my R8 makes more power, the M850i just has so much more torque. I can imagine my Bimmer giving my R8 a run for the money, or even being ahead, in the first half of a quarter mile race

Quarter mile is irrelevant really, as no one uses / does it in the real world (including 0-60). Torque is king on the road and in real world acceleration scenarios (30-70 in the main), and your M850i would definitely be the better car in those scenarios. I love the R8 though - anything with a V10. Always wanted a E60 M5 when I first passed my driving test, but then times moved on! I still think if I had the space I’d love one, just to tick that box I wanted to when I was 18 and dreaming!

[overklok]

It is ridiculous they even attempt to drag race in the rain.

[m3_08]

shows one more time that SL63 at $200K is overpriced for what it can deliver.

[Tenac]

Yeah that is a lot of standing water on the runway... not really great for any car honestly.

Something I find strange too is when I launch my M8 it doesn't bounce like that one when I loose grip... It will light the tires up and not try to overcome the slip on dry pavement... Wonder if that wasn't any actual launch start? Or maybe I don't play in the rain enough to know any better... lol

[TupperBMW]

Originally Posted by Beemer5to3

Torque is king on the road and in real world acceleration scenarios (30-70 in the main)!

^ A true statement.

However, if you know what you are doing with a high revving car like the R8, you can still smoke the competition. It's all about being in the power band.

For the R8 you have to stay in lower gears and be above 6k RPM's. When you do that, you are a force to be reckoned with (plus you sound amazing)

[TupperBMW]

Originally Posted by overklok

It is ridiculous they even attempt to drag race in the rain.

Unfortunately, for all of these UK-based car reviews, it's a reality they have to deal with.

[Beemer5to3]

Originally Posted by TupperBMW

^ A true statement.

However, if you know what you are doing with a high revving car like the R8, you can still smoke the competition. It's all about being in the power band.

For the R8 you have to stay in lower gears and be above 6k RPM's. When you do that, you are a force to be reckoned with (plus you sound amazing)

Haha that’s the big plus point - the NA sound is just the best. I know all about that too…my first cars were Hondas (EP3 Civic Type-R and then an S2000), the latter being supercharged though. Used to give my fair share of Porsches a taste of seeing its rear end and the flashes of flames that would come out on fast gear changes. Those were the days…a lot more sensible now! Still though, even supercharged, you still needed to be 6-9k in that magic band for its real performance.

Here I am subliminally talking myself into another NA car aren’t I

[Vic55]

I have both cars (but my M8 is lighter than the vert and my R8 is lighter than its associated vert).

In real world dry situations, the M8 is the better "on demand" car. The R8 (my 4th) is an 9/10th cars requiring one to always be in the right rpm range to max out the push of the unit unless its a pre meditated race (To Tuppers points). But in the real world- the M8 a bad ass machine.

Add rain and everything is different, tq has more wheelspin, wrong settings on the M8, etc and you see than the SL even ran well. Yes it may sticker at 200k but any swinging dick can get one for 50k off so the msrp while sad and overinflated is irrelevant and the car didnt fare too bad in some of the runs. And its still a pile of shit LOL ---

If I had to dump either my M8 or R8 (Performance 600 hp version)... Id dump the 8 because the R8 is done and the sound alone is aurally amazing. But an impromptu race might not be favorable to the R8.

[Seaford]

Originally Posted by overklok

It is ridiculous they even attempt to drag race in the rain.

It is ridiculous full stop.

Real world relevance?

[Dr Thrillride]

The only time I totally owned a GT3 RS all day was in the rain. lol.

I don’t know about draggin on the airstrip in the rain but you really learn to drive in the rain on a road course.

Carwow guy is a wanker. Sorry fans but too true. Did he not jump the start in the third race? Turned it off at that point.

[Dr Thrillride]

Originally Posted by overklok

It is ridiculous they even attempt to drag race in the rain.

I think he had to rent the airstrip. Probably.

[Beemer5to3]

Originally Posted by Dr Thrillride

The only time I totally owned a GT3 RS all day was in the rain. lol.

I don’t know about draggin on the airstrip in the rain but you really learn to drive in the rain on a road course.

Carwow guy is a wanker. Sorry fans but too true. Did he not jump the start in the third race? Turned it off at that point.

I used to really like Mat Watson when he was still doing car reviews, but he’s just really fake and annoying now. Can’t put my finger on it, but he just really grates on me.