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IN THE LATEST U-TURN DRAG RACE, IT'S THE POWERHOUSE MERCEDES-AMG C 63 S E PERFORMANCE VERSUS THE BMW M3 CS

Published: 2025-06-10 19:43:48 Last Updated: 2025-06-10 19:53:22

At SXdrv, we’re all about discovering the coolest and most innovative things in the automotive world, which is why we’re big fans of the Edmunds Cars channel on YouTube. Unlike most car review outlets that focus on straight-up timed tests or simple head-to-head drag races, the team at Edmunds Cars takes a refreshingly different approach to car testing. Typically, you’ll see reviewers either run a single car through a timed course or pit two market rivals against each other on a strip or track, often limited to quarter-mile runs due to the complexities and costs of full track tests. While these methods are great for evaluating acceleration, traction, and some onboard tech, they don’t always capture the full picture, especially when it comes to critical factors like handling and braking. That’s where the Edmunds U-Drag race comes in. This unique testing method goes beyond the standard drag race format by adding a twist - literally. Instead of just hitting the brakes at the end of a quarter-mile run and coasting to a stop, drivers must slam on the brakes, perform a 180-degree turn, and race back to the starting line, which now serves as the finish line. This not only tests a car’s straight-line speed but also challenges its braking performance, handling, and overall balance, making it a far more comprehensive - and entertaining - test than the usual fare. It’s quite odd that we don’t see more YouTube channels and automotive journos doing these kinds of tests, but on the other hand, we know exactly where to find them, whenever we want to see something entertaining.

It's a battle royale in this epic match-up between two of the world’s favourite German performance cars; the powerhouse that is the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance versus the big boss BMW M3 CS. The all-new C 63 S E Performance may have ditched the roaring V8, but thanks to the way this new technology works, it gained power and stupendous amounts of torque. The trickle-down technology from the automaker’s Formula One exploits has changed the game. The C 63 S E Performance uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder lump that’s rated at a mighty 350 kW with 545 Nm of torque, making it the most powerful production 4-cylinder. In the C63 S E, the petrol-fed lump is accompanied by a rear-mounted permanently excited synchronous motor that adds an extra 150 kW and 320 Nm of torque with a sort of overboost function into the equation to take the hybrid sedan’s power up to an astounding 500 kW with a maximum of 1,020 Nm of torque. This equates to mind-blowing performance stats like a 0-100 km/h dash in just 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 280 km/h if the right driver’s package is optioned. Power is sent to all four wheels via a fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system and AMG’s 9G Speedshift transmission. The BMW M4 CS uses an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission and the M xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system that affords the car handling that lives up to the reputation of all things M. The whole package is properly quick, with the right driver at the wheel and the right drive mode engaged, the M4 CS can get from a standstill to the worldwide benchmark for performance of 100 km/h in as little as 3.4 seconds. The car is also capable of getting to 200 km/h in a mere 11.1 seconds, which is pretty damn rapid. In-gear acceleration, which is important for track cars, is also massively quick. The M4 CS can sprint from 80 km/h to 120 km/h in just 2.6 seconds in 4th gear, and an equally impressive 3.3 seconds in 5th gear. If the M Driver’s Package is optioned, the top speed is electronically limited to 302 km/h. The 8-speed M Steptronic dual-clutch transmission, M xDrive and active M differential all work together to afford the new BMW M4 CS some of the best handling available on the market today. But this is a different kind of drag race, so all of that performance gets tested under braking, in a sharp turn and out-of-corner acceleration.

Take a look at the YouTube video that shows the Edmunds Cars crew throw two performance powerhouses into their famous U-turn drag race - which do you think will take the win? Our money is on the German car: U-DRAGS RACE: Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance vs. BMW M3 CS | Quarter Mile, Handling & More | Edmunds Cars

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Article Tags: News #AMGC63SEPerformance #SXdrv #BMWM4CS #MercedesAMG #BMW Edmunds #DragRace #UTurn