CAR WARS! Large Luxury Supercar Edition — ALPINA B7 vs. Audi S8 Plus vs. Mercedes-AMG S63

In the world of high-end large luxury sedans, there's a battle being fought. While cars like the Audi A8, BMW 7-Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class are continually pushing the boundaries of what's possible from a luxury and technology standpoint, they're also doing things one would think is unfathomable for vehicles of their stature and weight.

They're hitting 60 mph in under four seconds and now are equipped with forced induction powerplants churning out approximately 600 horsepower. It's like we're in the twilight zone.

ALPINA B7

While I am sure a lot of folks are inclined to select the AMG variant given that it's been the standard for quite some time, I will contest that. Having recently drive the all-new 7-Series I was seriously impressed with the way it drives. While the S feels like a large luxury sedan that's been given some mods to make it perform better, the 7 now feels like a sports car that just so happens to have an extended wheelbase.

The Audi, well, I haven't driven an S8 or S8 Plus for that matter because they're that rare. I'll let you know when I know.

That said, WHICH German large luxury supercar would YOU want to wake up to in the morning? The ALPINA B7? Audi S8 Plus? Mercedes-AMG S63?

Discuss!


ALPINA B7

Yonder7 - 2/10/2016 8:24:03 AM

+6 Boost

IMO, Not bad...but still behind the S class, I bet it drives better but still not projecting the luxury as well as the MB does.

Car4life1 - 2/10/2016 11:14:20 AM

+6 Boost

Agreed, The S Class all day for presence alone! The 7 series reminds me of an older guy trying too hard to dress young instead of embracing it's mass like the ad Class, the 7 series appears to aspire to fit into the same body kits as the 3 series, looks a little boy racer....

No comment for the Audi

MDarringer - 2/10/2016 8:36:38 AM

+1 Boost

Hands down: Mercedes. The Audi looks more dull than a Camry and the 7 Series does not look new.

carsnyc - 2/10/2016 9:32:08 AM

+3 Boost

Some people prefer the Bimmer's dynamics and more youthful appearance but the S-class remains king.

absent - 2/10/2016 11:43:03 AM

+1 Boost

S63 is the heaviest and slower then the other 2, looks just like another airport run limo, an upscale taxicab.
B7 is still heavier and less powerful then the S8 Plus.
Audi for me, in Matte Silver with Black Arras interior (Red stitching)....

TomM - 2/11/2016 6:59:23 AM

+2 Boost

The difference in performance between these three and a few others is not worth mentioning - IN REAL LIFE on public roads - only a race driver would see the difference - because the average driver cannot drive the way a race driver would.

I have an S-600 12 cylinder - and I love it. This is part of a long line of S-Class cars starting with a 450SEL 6.9 - and THAT car was a game changer - it was light years ahead of anything then produced. Today the differences between the cars a tenths of a second - not enough for me to change from Mercedes - because the Mercedes is a better Luxury car - and not just a premium.

asafianow - 2/10/2016 12:03:03 PM

+4 Boost

Stupid fanboy article. Only drove the BMW. All 3 cater to a different buyer in my opinion.

scenicbyway12 - 2/10/2016 12:18:06 PM

0 Boost

S Class for bling

7 for a drivers car

A8 to be different

mre30 - 2/10/2016 12:31:06 PM

+3 Boost

This is kind of an irrelevant compare, because none of these cars (sports trim) sells in sufficient volume to move the needle. If BMW sells 600 Alipina B7's a year, that's probably a lot.

Its purely personal preference.

cidflekken - 2/10/2016 1:54:19 PM

+5 Boost

S63 all day, all night. There isn't much if anything that separates these three, performance wise.

The Mercedes has a sense of SUBSTANCE that the others do not have. In exterior design, this car carries a PRESENCE. In interior design, if gives you a feeling of being somewhere SPECIAL.
Mercedes feels like they've simply elevated the standard in those unmeasureable and intangible qualities that is key in the premium segment and the S63/S65 are the close to the epitome of that, second only to the Maybach line.

runninglogan1 - 2/10/2016 4:59:53 PM

+2 Boost

I'll take the S8. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and for me the Audi's understated elegance is best. Performance wise, the S8 has beaten the S63 and B7 in every comparo I can find. It also doesn't hurt that it's the least expensive.

cidflekken - 2/10/2016 5:52:22 PM

+1 Boost

Right, b/c that 1/10 of a second that the S8 is quicker to 60 or the 3/10 of a second quicker in the 1

cidflekken - 2/10/2016 5:55:19 PM

+1 Boost

Right, b/c that 1/10 - 3/10 (depending on publication) of a second that the S8 is quicker to 60 or in the 1/4 mile makes tons of difference. When we're talking about differences like that, really just splitting hairs. That's not even a full body length of a difference to help you make it into the valet line sooner.

runninglogan1 - 2/11/2016 2:24:40 AM

0 Boost

Not just acceleration, better overall drive. Read the reviews.

cidflekken - 2/11/2016 12:06:01 PM

+2 Boost

I've read the reviews.

cidflekken - 2/11/2016 12:09:36 PM

+2 Boost

I've read the reviews. Splitting hairs.

BMW7 - 2/10/2016 9:03:22 PM

-2 Boost

ALpina B7. The technology in the 7 Series is light years ahead of the MB, and in my opinion, looks much more youthful than the S. The Audi is an all out no for me.