AMG C32 Hangs Tough with a Panamera 4S at High Speed

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A 2002 Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG holds its own in a series of highway roll races with a 2010 Porsche Panamera 4S.

These highway roll races between a 2002 Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG and a 2010 Porsche Panamera 4S were originally shared in the forum by MBWorld member awoodc32amg from the YouTube channel of svvani. There are few details on these cars or the races, but it seems as though both cars are stock and it is clear that they are making a series of high-speed runs from a mid-range roll.

The AMG doesn’t win, but when it can get traction, it stays right alongside the newer, more-powerful Porsche.

The Competitors

Provided that these two cars are stock, here are the details on the competitors in this video.

The 2002 Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG is powered by a supercharged 3.2L V6 delivering 349 horsepower and 332lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels via a 5-speed automatic transmission. The C32 weighs somewhere in the area of 3,500lbs, not counting the passengers.

The 2010 Porsche Panamera 4S is powered by a naturally aspirated V8 that sends 400 horsepower and 369lb-ft of torque to all four wheels via a 7-speed dual clutch transmission and an advanced all-wheel-drive system. Not counting occupants, the Panamera 4S weighs around 4,100lbs.

So, the Porsche has more horsepower, more torque and better transmission performance while weighing somewhere in the area of 600lbs more. As it turns out, the all-wheel drive system plays a bigger role than the power.

The AMG Struggles for Grip

The video above shows three roll races between the AMG C32 and the Panamera 4S. On the first and third runs, we can hear the Mercedes spin the tires hard when the two cars take off, allowing the Porsche to cruise to a win with ease.

C32 V Panamera

However, on the second run, the Benz gets traction and stays right alongside the Panamera as the two cars climb to outrageous speeds for public roads. Based on the second run, it appears as though better tires and improved traction would be enough for the C32 to knock off the Panamera 4S, while a tune of the supercharged V6 would allow the Mercedes to smack around the 400hp Porsche.

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com


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