BMW, Porsche, Mercedes and Audi build some of the most powerful models available to mainstream consumers. Their massive V8 engines produce excessive horsepower and torque, with the automaker claiming some big power figures. Carwow Video just put their claim to the test by towing the M5 Competition, E63 S, RS6, and Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid to the dyno and running the numbers to find out their true power-to-weight ratio.
The most powerful car present is the Porsche. The Panamera’s hybrid powertrain with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine produces 700 horsepower (521 kilowatts) and 641 pound-feet (870 Newton-meters) of torque. The automaker claims the car weighs 5,180 pounds (2,350 kilograms). The BMW M5 Competition is the second most powerful model in testing, with a larger twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8. However, the non-hybrid sedan produces 625 hp (466 kW) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque. It’s also the lightest, at 4,276 lbs (1,940 kg).
The Mercedes-AMG E63 S has a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine that develops 612 hp (456 kW) and 626 lb-ft (850 Nm) of torque. Mercedes says the high-powered E-Class weighs 4,431 lbs (2,010 kg). The Audi RS6 trails the remaining power even though it also uses a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine. The powertrain produces 600 hp (447 KW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque. It weighs 4,574 lbs (2,075 kg).
The results are everywhere. Audi produced 599 hp (446 kW) and 603 lb-ft (818 Nm) of torque from the engine on the dyno, while BMW surpassed the claimed figures to produce 652 hp (468 kW) and 636 lb-ft (863 Nm). ). The Mercedes also makes more power than the manufacturer claims, producing 636 hp (474 kW) and 690 lb-ft (936 Nm). The Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid also beat expectations with 750 hp (599 kW) and 681 lb-ft (924 Nm) of torque.
The dyno results were only one part of the test, with Carwow recalculating the power-to-weigh ratio after towing the car to the scales. The result puts Audi in last place with 270 hp/tonne. Mercedes is in third place with 305 hp/tonne. While Porsche is the most powerful car, it only takes second place with a rating of 309 hp/tonne. BMW took the first step thanks to producing more power and lighter weight than the automaker claims by producing a rating of 340 hp/tonne.
