Picking between the latest AMG and Porsche sportscars is like the blonde vs. brunette discussion - it will come down to personal preference. But since most of us regular mortals don't get to enjoy the 911 GTS or the AMG GT very often, every comparison needs to be relished.
Auto Express magazine recently organized a track battle and drag race shootout in Britain. Not surprisingly the fact that it has twin turbos and a slightly larger engine gave the Merc a winning edge in a straight line. But the all-wheel-drive system and lightness of the Porsche means it was actually much faster off the line.
Surprisingly, even though the 911 GTS seems like a hard car to live with, it's more comfortable. The AMG GT jumps over bumps and is unnerved easily by road camber, but it's less noisy on a highway.
Each car has one advantage when it comes to practicality. The 911 has superior outward visibility, but the Mercedes has over twice more boot space. In the end, these two cars are so closely matched that you can't agree with anybody else's conclusions. If you like V8 engine sounds and bold styling, Mercedes will get your cash, while Porsche has a more rewarding driving experience.
It's worth considering, however, that if practicality is a major concern for you, the new C63 AMG has 95% of the performance, virtually the same engine and can be ordered in cavernous T-Model (wagon) form. It's also much cheaper to buy, and you don't have to wait as long for delivery. Beat that, Porsche!
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. Full profile
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