Mercedes-AMG GT C Moose Test Shows What Difference 2 KM/H (1.25 MPH) Can Make

For those who aren't familiar with the procedure, the driver needs to simulate an evasive maneuver caused by something that popped unexpectedly on the road. They will swerve to one side and then try to get the vehicle back on its original course.

There are a few vehicles that have famously failed the test, most notably the Toyota Hilux from two generations ago or the first-gen Dacia/Renault Duster. The former was close to tipping over while the latter made a complete mess of the cones lying on the ground. Others suffered similar faiths, with the first Mercedes-Benz A-Class actually ending up on its back, wheels up.

Obviously, if you do it at 100 mph (160 km/h), any car will fail, so the standard procedure is to start at lower speeds and to build it up gradually with each pass until the vehicle can't navigate the course without knocking over any cones.

For most cars, that usually happens between 70 and 80 km/h (43 and 50 mph), but topping up at lower speeds isn't uncommon. For instance, the Tesla Model X electric SUV with its impressive weight of 5,514 lb (or 2,500 kg) managed to acquaint itself of its duties at up to 70 km/h (43.4 km/h). Beyond that, let's just say you wouldn't want to be one of the cones on the asphalt.

But how will a sports car fare? Well, the V8-powered Mercedes-AMG GT C roadster remained in control up until 78 km/h (48.5 mph). That's 8 km/h (5 mph) more than the lumbering Tesla SUV, which isn't exactly groundbreaking.

Yet wait to see what 2 km/h (1.25 mph) more can do to the roadster's behavior in the test. Pushed to 80 km/h (50 mph), the Mercedes-AMG GT C begins to understeer violently when it was supposed to get back in its lane. The people conducting the test blame it on the condition of the front tires, and a close-up does reveal they've seen better days. Until you notice that car appears to be silver and wonder what the hell is going on.