Mercedes vs. Audi vs. Maserati: Time Trial

Mercedes vs. Audi? Audi vs. Maserati? Which car is the fastest?

There is no better way to test your favorite car than with a time trial. Who is faster — a Mercedes Sl63 AMG or an Audi R8 V10 Spyder? After it lost to a BMW M3, the Maserati GranCabrio was eliminated from the running and it is time for one more challenge for the two remaining cars. There’s just one catch — the cars will be driven one-handed, with the other hand hanging out the window.  Who tops it out on the track?

We start with the Audi R8, which has a 0-60 time of 3.8 seconds. It also has 4-wheel drive, which makes it easier to take it around those tight curves. Driving with one hand, the Audi makes its lap in 1:21.9, though it does have a problem with understeer at its speed limit.

The Competition

The SL63 AMG is rear-wheel drive, which could potentially provide better stability throughout the turns, but its stability control programming actually interferes with the driver’s ability to turn at higher speeds by dropping the engine power even at high speeds.  While this might be great on the highway, since it will prevent understeer, it can be irritating or even downright dangerous on the track. The lack of power on those turns interrupts the flow of driving.

The SL also has safety measures that are great for daily driving but not so great for speeding around the track — namely, the windows roll up and seatbelts tighten if it senses a potential crash. The Mercedes ended up with a final time of 1:22.6, barely falling behind the Audi’s 1:21.9 time.

Mercedes vs. Audi vs. Maserati?

When it comes down to it, the Audi R8 might be lighter, but it makes up for it in sheer speed, and that’s why it’s the hands-down winner of the time trial.