Drag Race – Mercedes G63 AMG vs BMW i8 – Video
It’s the past versus the future at Milan Dragway as Autoblog pits the Mercedes G63 AMG performance SUV against the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car. Watch as Autoblog Editors Mike Austin and David Gluckman face off behind the wheel of these German rivals.
BMW i8 Specs:
PRICE AS TESTED: $148,250 (base price: $137,450)
ENGINE TYPE: turbocharged and intercooled inline-3, aluminum block and head; permanent-magnet synchronous AC
ENGINE AND MID MOTOR:
Displacement: 91 cu in, 1499 cc
Combined Power: 228 hp @ 5800 rpm
Combined Torque: 236 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm
FRONT MOTOR:
Power: 129 hp @ 4900 rpm
Torque: 184 lb-ft @ 0 rpm
Total System Power: 357 hp
Total System Torque: 420 lb-ft
FRONT TRANSMISSION: 2-speed automatic
MID TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 110.2 in
Length: 184.9 in
Width: 76.5 in Height: 50.8 in
SAE interior volume: F: 55 cu ft R: 26 cu ft
Trunk: 5 cu ft
Curb weight: 3394 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS (Hybrid/Electric):
Zero to 60 mph: 3.6/9.2 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 9.0/- sec
Zero to 150 mph: 24.6/- sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 4.6 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 2.6 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 3.1 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.1 sec @ 116 mph/ 17.2 sec @ 74 mph
Top speed (gov limited): 155/75 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 166 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.93 g
FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 28/29 mpg
EPA electricity combined: 76 MPGe
EPA electric range: 15 mi
C/D observed: 26 mpg
Mercedes G63 AMG Specs:
PRICE AS TESTED: $149,175 (base price: $140,825)
ENGINE TYPE: twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 333 cu in, 5461 cc
Power: 563 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque: 561 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 7-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 112.2 in
Length: 187.5 in
Width: 73.0 in Height: 76.3 in
Passenger volume: 124 cu ft
Cargo volume: 40 cu ft
Curb weight: 5961 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 4.8 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 11.5 sec
Zero to 120 mph: 17.9 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 5.6 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 3.0 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 3.7 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.3 sec @ 107 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 130 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 163 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.63 g
FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 12/14 mpg
C/D observed: 13 mpg
*Stability-control-inhibited