SHOWDOWN: C63 AMG Coupe vs. M3 Competition Package vs. RS5

SHOWDOWN: C63 AMG Coupe vs. M3 Competition Package vs. RS5
With the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe coming out of hiding recently, we can now have one of the most frightful comparisons in quite some time. Oh, decisions, decisions.

In this unbelievable love triangle we have three VERY capable autos that can satisfy three different buyers. However, we want to see which one strikes YOUR fancy. After all, we know that our fellow Spies have quite good taste.

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe is likely the best car for someone who wants a V8 with a guttural grunt and makes no apologies. Although many chastise it for having "Honda Accord" styling -- thanks to its C-Pillar -- they forget that its newly upgraded interior may upstage the others. By the way, who ever defined a car because of its C-Pillar?

The E92 M3 Competition Package is tuned for drivers that want to have a nimble vehicle that can go to the track for some fun; however, its interior leaves a little to be desired and it is the eldest of the bunch. BMW set the bar high for its competitors but can it keep the benchmark up there comfortably?

Then we have the only all-wheel drive vehicle of the bunch, the RS5. Having received quite the beating from the press, which essentially amounts it coming in second to the M3, it seems to be more of a GT-inspired vehicle that can do much more than the other two once the going gets tough. Practicality vs. fooling around, hmm.

With all of this said, which high-performance coupe do you pick and WHY?

Additionally, is it me or are all three of these vehicles seemingly becoming WAY TOO SIMILAR?


**Take a look at the full set of comparison shots by clicking "Read Article"


You probably guessed it after today's unveil of the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe, here's the ultimate photo comparison between the Merc, the Audi RS5 and the beloved E92 M3 in Competition Package trim.

Contrary to earlier rumors, the C63 AMG Coupe is powered by Merc's famous 6.2l V8, resulting in an maximum output of 451hp (481hp with optional AMG Development Pack) and a maximum torque of 443 lb-ft. Mercedes claims 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds. The C63 Coupe will be make its US showroom debut in September 2011.

The Audi RS5 uses an improved version of their well-known 4.2l V8. With 450bhp, it's on par with the C63 AMG while the maximum torque of 317 lb-ft is on par with the E92 M3 and more than 100 lb-ft short of the C63. The RS5 is the only AWD car out of the pack. Audi officially confirmed that they'll bring the car to the US, but likely not before 2012...


[Source: M3post]


2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Photo Gallery

2012 BMW 6-Series Coupe Photo Gallery

2011 Geneva Motor Show Photo Gallery

Lamborghini Showcase Photo Gallery

Audi Lightweight Tech Showcase Photo Gallery


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rumnycrumnyc - 3/21/2011 3:39:35 AM
+1 Boost
the cars are all different and all three will have loyal fans.

the m3 will beat both cars in the dry and the c-class in the wet.

rs has the best interior and for me the best exterior as well. if I could have all three this is probably the one i'd chose if i didn't have a track within 2 hrs of where i lived or if it snowed heavily where i lived.

c-class will be picked up by rich urbanites who will never track the car. it will probably win in straight line drag races with the other 2. i could choose this if i was never going to track the car.


RomanRoman - 3/21/2011 9:45:39 AM
-2 Boost
CTS-V!


MeanVulcanMeanVulcan - 3/21/2011 12:05:14 PM
-8 Boost
Easy choice. The M-B has very nice styling, but too traditional for my taste and i take points off for copying the Audi style LEDs. The M3 sports styling that is at least 10 years old or at least it seems that way, the interior is not worthy of a german luxury/sports car but at least BMW did not, in this case, follow the lead, as did M-B.

Now for performace and practicality: depending on your taste any of these cars will do, they all have very close performance numbers.Arguing for a tenth of a second here or there is pointless, really. However, take the performance to imperfect road conditions, such as rain/snow/ice and the comparison becomes quite moot. There is only one car to have, The RS5, at least for me. The styling is superb, so is the interior. As far as being practical, the RS5 takes first place as well. Second Place: M-B; Third place: M3.


speed123speed123 - 3/21/2011 1:05:08 PM
-7 Boost
The Audi RS5 is the best in my opinion and the only one I would consider buying.


internationalmanofmysteryinternationalmanofmystery - 3/21/2011 2:35:12 PM
+1 Boost
Let the fun begin!!


M5twinturboM5twinturbo - 3/21/2011 5:33:03 PM
+5 Boost
BMW M3 is the best.


LexSucksLexSucks - 3/21/2011 5:55:17 PM
-3 Boost
Why wasn't a Lexus IS-F included?


vtandonvtandon - 3/21/2011 7:13:23 PM
-1 Boost
Lexussuck, its because the IS-F sucks just like your name says.


BabyBaby - 3/22/2011 12:04:03 AM
+3 Boost
Because the German boys don't want to get embarrassed by the Americans or the Japanese.....


DuesenDuesen - 3/21/2011 7:06:15 PM
+1 Boost
Out of the 3 I'd take the C63. That 6.2 V8 is something I'd kill for.


david999david999 - 3/21/2011 8:17:33 PM
+3 Boost
It is tough to take down the M3. The Lexus IS-F should have been included in the comparison.


DenaliDenali - 3/21/2011 8:58:38 PM
+3 Boost
RS4 failed


BimmersNmeBimmersNme - 3/21/2011 11:44:22 PM
+4 Boost
The best overall is the M3 no doubts,and with the new generation just around the corner, the interior,exterior, and performance will reach a new level...again.



BabyBaby - 3/22/2011 12:06:51 AM
0 Boost
Out of these three I take the MB. I like the front end look better than the other two.


wins555wins555 - 3/22/2011 12:31:26 AM
+1 Boost
C63 for me.


merc07merc07 - 3/22/2011 9:57:10 AM
+1 Boost
c63 for me also. and now that i know its actually 481hp and a mtc transmission i know it's going to be faster than the sedan which goes 0-60 in 3.9. im thinking 3.8 0-60 very low 12s in the 1/4.


ThierryHenry14ThierryHenry14 - 3/22/2011 10:14:48 AM
+1 Boost
For me, I'm a fan of VW/Audi/Porsche and would pick the RS5 because of personal biases/preferences, but I don't really think theres a losing option here...

The thing is, for 99% of the people out there, they will never push any of the three cars to the limit that will separate the performance of the three cars significantly...


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