Mercedes AMG GT R Faces Off With Honda NSX
Carwow’s latest two-seater matchup is a lot closer than you think.
Here we see two very different approaches to speed in the above video from YouTube’s Carwow. From Japan, the NSX uses hybrid tech and computer wizardry, and from Germany, the AMG GT R. It uses old school—albeit streamlined—raw power. It’ll be interesting to see how they get on with a number of tests then.
Carwow’s Mat Watson utilizes an old runway to carry out the series of tests, which include drag racing, roll racing, and emergency braking. Conditions on the runway are what you’d encounter in the real-world, so there’s no special prep surfaces here.
As with any test involving a standing start, cars will all-wheel-drive will have the upper hand. With twice the traction, it’s no surprise the NSX rockets away at the start, but that’s also to do with the hybrid electric motors. With full power and torque available instantly, it has no rival from a standstill. However, as the race reaches the quarter-mile mark, the GT R was reeling in the Honda at a significant pace.
Time now to remove the traction element, and just go for outright speed. With each car selecting third gear and already at 50 miles per hour, this would better showcase the acceleration capabilities. As you’d expect, the higher torque numbers of the AMG as told by Watson, “700nm of torque compared to 646 in the NSX,” play a role here. But the electric motors don’t have to wait to spool up for boost. “Oh he picks up really quick!” shouts Watson, but the numbers end up in the AMG’s favor, leading to an easy win.
Braking is a whole other animal as hybrid tech doesn’t necessarily play a part in a panic stop. The motors can add drag, but the ultimate factor here is grip. As is the case with most hybrid cars, they’re heavy. As such, the AMG has about a 200-pound advantage. The slightly shorter stopping distance of the AMG proves that.
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