Size matters
In this case, it does. The beauty of a grand coupe is the fact that you really can have your driveability cake and eat it too, with two adult-sized friends in the back who'll continue to be your friends after the drive because their limbs will be intact.
Were we right in throwing the Panamera into the mix here? Some would disagree, but we think the Porker fits right in, and is the perfect addition to our grand coupe quartet. Did we miss out on a British player (read: Jaguar XJL)? Perhaps, since the XJL Supersport is perfectly priced and offers up the right amount of grunt beneath its feline bonnet. We'll have to make sure we include in next year's grand coupe gathering.
Truthfully, we know the consumer demand for high-performance grand coupes is small thanks to their rather large price tags. But can you really blame us for wanting to get these four together for a match-up well worth the hefty gas receipts in the end?
While we asked for the heavy-hitters of the grand coupe models, the truth is these particular models can be had with less power and for less dollars, but with the same driving dynamics and interior space: the best of both worlds, still.
In this case, it does. The beauty of a grand coupe is the fact that you really can have your driveability cake and eat it too, with two adult-sized friends in the back who'll continue to be your friends after the drive because their limbs will be intact.
Were we right in throwing the Panamera into the mix here? Some would disagree, but we think the Porker fits right in, and is the perfect addition to our grand coupe quartet. Did we miss out on a British player (read: Jaguar XJL)? Perhaps, since the XJL Supersport is perfectly priced and offers up the right amount of grunt beneath its feline bonnet. We'll have to make sure we include in next year's grand coupe gathering.
Truthfully, we know the consumer demand for high-performance grand coupes is small thanks to their rather large price tags. But can you really blame us for wanting to get these four together for a match-up well worth the hefty gas receipts in the end?
While we asked for the heavy-hitters of the grand coupe models, the truth is these particular models can be had with less power and for less dollars, but with the same driving dynamics and interior space: the best of both worlds, still.
| 2014 PORSCHE PANAMERA | 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-CLASS | 2014 BMW M6 GRAN COUPE | 2014 AUDI RS 7 | |
| TRIM | Turbo Executive | CLS 63 AMG 4MATIC | ||
| COLOR | Rhodium Silver Metallic | Obsidian Black Metallic | Frozen Brilliant White | Misano Red Pearl Effect |
| ENGINE | 4.8L Turbo V8 | 5.5L Twin Turbo V8 | 4.4L Twin Turbo V8 | 4.0L Turbo V8 |
| HP @ RPM | 520 @ 6,000 | 550 @ 5,250 | 560 @ 6,000 | 560 @ 5,700 |
| TORQUE @ RPM | 516 @ 2,250 | 531 @ 1,750 | 500 @ 1,500 | 516 @ 1,750 |
| TRANSMISSION | 7-speed PDK | 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT | 7-speed M double-clutch | 8-speed Tiptronic |
| DRIVETRAIN | AWD | AWD | RWD | AWD |
| TORQUE SPLIT (F/R) | 40/60 | 33/67 | 0/100 | 40/60 |
| 0-100 KM/H (in seconds) | 4.0 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 3.9 |
| TOP SPEED (km/h) | 305 | 300 | 250 | 280 |
| FUEL TANK (L) | 100 | 80 | 80 | 75 |
| FUEL ECONOMY | 8.3 / 13.8 | 9.1 / 13.5 | 9.2 / 14.4 | 7.8 / 13.7 |
| OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY | 12.4 | 13.1 | 12.9 | 12.8 |
| GVWR (kg / lb) | 2,560 / 5,644 | 2,415 / 5,324 | 2,411 / 5,315 | 2,505 / 5,523 |
| CURB WEIGHT (kg / lb) | 2,070 / 4,564 | 1,975 / 4,355 | 2,009 / 4,429 | 1,995 / 4,398 |
| WHEELBASE (mm / in) | 3,070 / 120.9 | 2 875 / 113.2 | 2,964 / 116.7 | 2,916 / 114.8 |
| LENGTH (mm / in) | 5,165 / 203.3 | 4,996 / 196.7 | 5,011 / 197.3 | 5,012 / 197.3 |
| HEIGHT (mm / in) | 1,425 / 56.1 | 1,407 / 55.4 | 1 393 / 54.8 | 1,419 / 55.9 |
| WIDTH (mm / in) | 2,114 / 83.2 | 2,075 / 81.7 | 2,106 / 82.9 | 1,911 / 75.2 |
| TRUNK CAPACITY (L) | 432 | 433 | 420 | 535 |
| BASE PRICE | $1841,00 | $113,500 | $127,900 | $115,000 |
| OPTIONS ($) | $26,200 | $7,400 | $33,050 | $25,100 |
| PRICE AS TESTED | $210,300 | $120,900 | $160,950 | $140,100 |
2014 Mercedes CLS-Class CLS 63 AMG 4MATIC
2014 Mercedes CLS-Class CLS 63 AMG 4MATIC
2014 Porsche Panamera Turbo Executive
2014 Porsche Panamera Turbo Executive
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