Mercedes-AMG S63 E-Performance Takes on Bentley Flying Spur, BMW i7 M70 in Wild Drag Race

We knew the Mercedes-AMG S63 E-Performance was quick, but it completely dominates this showdown with several rivals.

There was a time, not too terribly long ago, that if one wanted a fast car, they had to make some compromises. These days, that isn’t really the case anymore, as just about anything on sale – whether that be a sports car or an SUV – is pretty darn quick by historical standards. That’s certainly true of the Mercedes-AMG S63 E-Performance, which pairs a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with an electric motor to churn out 791 horsepower and 1,055 pound-feet of torque, propelling it to 60 mph in around three seconds.

Those are stunning figures for a large, luxurious sedan of any kind, and precisely why M-B of downtown Calgary, Canada recently decided to pit the Mercedes-AMG S63 E-Performance against a host of rivals that include the Bentley Flying Spur, BMW i7 M70, Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo, and Lamborghini Huracán LP610-4 in a series of drag races. This showdown starts with a half-mile drag race that starts from a dig, with each car getting three tries to set a best time.

When the dust settles, the Mercedes-Benz S63 E-Performance comes out on top of this rather impressive heap, with a best half-time time of 17.57 seconds, easily taking down the second-place BMW and its 18.12-second run. The S63 beat its rivals in the quarter-mile with an 11.15-second run, too, hitting 62 mph in just 3.2 seconds as well. The S63 also claims victory in the roll race, putting a cap on this impressive outing.

The S63 is no match for the Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo, however, which is no surprise given the fact that it’s a hyper-quick accelerating EV, and it winds up completing the quarter-mile in just 9.98 seconds, while the half-mile flashes by in 15.89 clicks. The V10-powered Lambo is quite a bit slower at 11.25 and 17.73-seconds runs, respectively, which is interesting given the fact that it’s also the lightest car here.

Regardless, this is quite the fascinating showdown, and one that brings about a few surprises. We knew that the Mercedes-AMG S63 E-Performance was quick to begin with, but as it turns out, there isn’t much out there – save for some pure EVs – that can beat it in a straight line. Throw in the fact that it sounds way better than an EV and gives one essentially the best of both worlds, and, well, that only makes it even more compelling.

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Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.