Automotive magazines are like casinos. They’re skilled at making sure they win more often than they lose. Motor Trend recently hedged its bets by testing a 2014 Audi RS 5 against a 2014 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG 507 Edition coupe. Ron Kiino, Jonny Lieberman and Randy Pobst were going to have a great time, no matter what.
You would lose big if you wagered that this would end up being a lop-sided victory for a particular competitor. True, the 450-horsepower Audi has the grip of quattro all-wheel-drive, quicker shift times from its S tronic dual-clutch gearbox, a much lower price, 0.99 g of lateral grip and more composed braking. However, those pros are offset by significant cons: the C63 makes 57 more horsepower, weighs less and has a “softer and more composed” ride, as well as better steering feel.
The $78,320 Audi complicates matters even more by posting a faster time than its 90-grand Mercedes rival at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. While its 0.48-second edge isn’t terribly significant, the words Pobst uses to describe his hot lap are. “The R8 should be half this good! This car is fantastic. … And no push, no oversteer — it just drives right out of there, beautifully carving an exit line, using all the power.” Wow.
In the end, Motor Trend announces AMG’s matte special victorious. “The Benz is engaging, inviting you to join in and experience the party. And we always prefer being the life of the party.”
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
