Porsche’s Panamera might have been the first German liftback high-performance limousine, but it can no longer claim to be the fastest around the Nurburgring.
The Nürburgring remains an unofficial source of comparison between the merits of speed and handling, and AMG says it makes the quickest ‘Ring liftback limousine.
Mercedes-Benz’s performance sub-brand has spent a great deal of R&D money on its latest GT 63 S. With the benefit of adaptive 4Matic all-wheel drive and a 470 kW twin-turbocharged V8 engine, AMG is understandably proud of its GT 63 S.
The question is always how all that power, and traction technology, will translate into real-world performance. And to many, the best basis of comparison is still a Nürburgring lap time.
Regarded as the world’s most challenging stretch of road, the ‘Ring will reveal any weakness in braking, platform balance or lateral stability. If a road car copes well on the ‘Ring, it will be tremendously capable on any other road.
To illustrate just how capable its latest GT 63 S is, AMG used some of its allocated ‘Ring time to run hot laps in the big liftback limousine. And the results were impressive.
Development driver for the GT 63 project, Demian Schaffert, managed laps of 7:23.009 and 7:27.800, with AMG timing on both the ‘old’ lap and a new Nürburgring standard distance, which is a touch longer.
Compared to Porsche’s updated Panamera Turbo, the GT 63 S is quicker. Porsche’s liftback limousine ran a best time of 7:29.810, with AMG besting that quite easily.
How close was the GT 63 S used by Demian Schaffert to one you could order from AMG? The claim is that only two factory options were fitted: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 tyres and an aerodynamics package. These are available as upgrades to any GT 63 S customer, too.
Further Reading
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S Review – Is this really a supercar?
Brabus AMG GT 63 S Rocket 900 is a Monster
Original Story by www.cars.co.za
