Mercedes 500E Proves That Automatics Have been Sooner Than Manuals, Even In The ’90s

The 1992 Mercedes 500E goes to battle in opposition to the 1994 BMW M5 Touring and the 1994 Audi RS2, each of which have manuals and extra favorable power-to-weight ratios

Whereas fans are inclined to acknowledge that fashionable automated and dual-clutch transmissions are sooner than manuals, there stays the presupposition that they as soon as weren’t. Within the newest Cammisa Final Drag Race, the Mercedes 500E proves that autos have been quick, even within the ’90s.

Admittedly, the video solely addresses the 1992 tremendous sedan’s skill to run by the quarter-mile, not the corners. Nonetheless, in opposition to the manual-equipped 1994 Audi RS2 and BMW M5 Touring, it trounces the competitors.

In fact, the transmission isn’t the one benefit the 5.0-liter V8 Mercedes has. The BMW is powered by a 3.8-liter inline-six, whereas the Audi has simply 2.2 liters and 5 cylinders to go to struggle with.

Learn: New BMW M3 Touring Is Simply Too Fast For The Audi RS4 Avant

Nonetheless, the RS2 is turbocharged, which means it makes a wholesome 311 hp (232 kW/315 PS). In the meantime, the Euro-spec M5 makes 335 hp (250 kW/340 PS), which is definitely greater than the Mercedes, which solely churns out 322 hp (240 kW/326 PS).

Its large engine is able to producing 354 lb-ft (480 Nm) of torque, which is significantly greater than the competitors can muster. Whereas the turbocharged Audi can churn out 302 lb-ft (409 Nm), the BMW’s straight-six solely makes 295 lb-ft (400 Nm).

That torque helps the Mercedes 500E lots by the quarter-mile. As Cammisa explains, the massive displacement and the variable valve timing imply that the engine delivers ample torque to the wheels all through the rev vary. However that’s not its solely benefit.

“Regardless of its lengthy, 49 mph first gear, it’s virtually even with the opposite two vehicles on the launch,” he says. “Its old-school automated slam shifts, as a substitute of reducing energy, so every of the 2 occasions it shifts, it simply positive factors much more floor on the 2 different vehicles.”

That implies that the Mercedes is 0.9 seconds sooner than the Audi, and 0.8 seconds sooner than the BMW by the quarter-mile. To place that into perspective, the video reveals how the 500E is 7.5 automobile lengths forward of the opposite two vehicles on the line — all regardless of having the least favorable power-to-weight ratio of the trio.