2024 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 vs. Porsche 911 Turbo, BMW M8, Audi R8: Who's the Real Track King?

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 rolls onto the drag strip with an air of invincibility. Priced at $175,900, it's no surprise given its impressive specs. Under the hood lurks a handcrafted AMG 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo engine, churning out 577 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque.

The AMG Speedshift MCT 9G 9-speed automatic gearbox seamlessly sends this power to the 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system, allowing the GT 63 to rocket from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds. Its top speed is a thrilling 196 mph. However, when you're bringing 4,343 pounds to the party, you need more than just impressive specs; you need to be faster than the competition.

Speaking of competition, meet the BMW M8 Competition Coupe. This Bavarian beast is armed with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that spits out 617 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Weighing in at 4,189 lbs., the M8 isn't substantially lighter than the AMG GT 63 but beats it in price, starting at $141,000 for the 617-hp version.

Then there's the Audi R8 V10 Performance Quattro, now a vintage dream following its discontinuation. Sporting a 5.2-liter naturally aspirated engine, the R8 delivers 602 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. All this power resided in a package that weighs just 3,627 lbs. The R8, at its swan song, cost around $161,000.

Lastly, we have the Porsche 911 Turbo, often overshadowed by its powerhouse sibling, the Turbo S. Yet, with a 3.7-liter flat-six engine producing 572 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, this German machine showcases its lineage with pride. It weighs a mere 3,635 lbs. compared to its rivals, and its agility on the drag strip is nothing short of legendary, starting at $197,200.

The Showdown

Throttle House orchestrated an epic drag race at the Dunville Autodrome in Ontario, Canada. This drag strip can only accommodate three cars simultaneously, necessitating a careful selection of matchups. First up: Mercedes-AMG GT 63, Porsche 911 Turbo, and BMW M8 Competition Coupe.

The AMG GT 63 raced ahead of the line, but the 911 Turbo soon asserted its dominance, claiming first place. The BMW M8 trailed in second. A subsequent roll race offered no surprises; the leaderboard remained unchanged. The real test came when the Audi R8 replaced one of these contenders.

Despite its charisma, the AMG GT 63 faltered when pitted against the agile Audi R8 Performance Quattro. In both the drag race and the roll race, the R8 exhibited superior prowess, leaving the AMG in its dust.

No Official Timings

Frustratingly, Throttle House opted not to officially time these races, depriving us of concrete statistics. Yet, the visual and experiential evidence was enough to cast significant doubt on the AMG GT 63's purported track supremacy. Now, it's clear: when it comes to outright speed and drag-racing credibility, the Porsche 911 Turbo reigns supreme, followed closely by the BMW M8 and the Audi R8. The AMG GT 63, despite its stellar spec sheet and price tag, lags behind its rivals in the heat of competition.

So, while the AMG GT 63 may carry an air of elegance and raw power, it clearly has its work cut out for it in this fierce vehicular combat zone. Will Mercedes take this as constructive criticism and come back with a more formidable contender? Only time will tell.