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Debate: Why Is the S65 AMG Slower than the Audi S8 to 100 KM/H?

In today's news that isn't really news, but is actually important, we just realized something quite interesting. Last week, Mercedes revealed the new S65 AMG, which left us relatively underwhelmed. Here was a 630 PS machine that was actually a bit slower to 100 km/h than the less powerful S63 AMG 4Matic.
2014 Audi S8 1 photo
Photo: Audi
Since most of the competent cars of this world are somewhere in the 4 to 5 second range, so we really didn't pay any attention to it. But today, we realized the S65 AMG is technically slower than Audi's S8 facelift: 4.3 seconds to 100 km/h compared to just 4.1 seconds in the Audi.

The S8 is powered by a 4-liter twin-turbo V8 rated at 520 PS, 110 PS less. So this is down to weight, quattro traction and power delivery. Audi has been adamant they aren't making an RS version of their flagship, which makes you wonder what would happen if they did.

It's not really a relevant comparison, but it's always interesting to see how your run-of-the-mill Audi bests the most powerful AMG around.
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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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