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BMW vs. Mercedes Remote Controlled Drag Race Is the Slowest Ever

We don't know how this one slipped through the cracks, because as far as drag races are concerned, it's one of the strangest we've ever seen. As you German car fans already know, both BMW and Mercedes offer a remote parking feature. But which is the fastest?
BMW vs. Mercedes Remote Controlled Drag Race Is the Slowest Ever 3 photos
Photo: YouTube screenshot
BMW vs. Mercedes Remote Controlled Drag Race Is the Slowest EverBMW vs. Mercedes Remote Controlled Drag Race Is the Slowest Ever
Of course, other companies have this too, but that's not the point. BMW's huge display key is famous for being pointless, a bit of a gimmick. It's an expensive option that allows you to check some features, but also has serious limitations. For example, the Polish video shows how you can only move the 5 Series forwards and back. Meanwhile, the Mercedes remote smartphone app also performs turns, but only when bay parking is selected.

Unlike most drag races, it really doesn't matter what engine is under the hoods of these two. However, we can't help but notice that the E-Class in the video is the special All-Terrain model, a rival for the Audi A6 allroad, and it's fitted with a four-cylinder diesel engine. The BMW, meanwhile, starts out as a 540i with the M Sport package and ends up as.... something else, perhaps a 530d xDrive.

But no matter how many horses reside under the hood, the manufacturers limit the cars to crawling speed. To make this interesting, the reviewers take the time it takes to connect to the vehicle into consideration.

Despite using an app instead of an expensive remote, the Mercedes E-Class connects a few seconds earlier. Mercedes also has a more extended remote range, while the BMW frequently stops to let the "driver" catch up. This is a one-horse race.

Even taking range and connection time out of the equation, the Mercedes is still faster. Who knows, maybe we just witnessed the start of a new form of motorsport. Will Corvettes have faster remote speeds than Ferraris? Will this turn into a competition for who makes the fanciest remote?

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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