The methods employed by each of this world’s car making countries to topple competitors in the thriving performance sedan niche are indicative of the culture in the vehicle’s home country. Germany loves to think things through carefully, wielding the experience it has as the world’s first carmaker to execute the competition using the best technology currently available. America, on the other hand, sticks to its guns and arms its muscled up sedans with more horsepower than any one person should be responsible for.
The 2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 S is a perfect indicator of how Germany typically tackles a problem. More horsepower is an obvious addition despite the downsized and turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 under the hood, but those 600 horsepower have their temper tantrum sent to all four wheels using Mercedes’ game-changing all-wheel drive system.
It cleverly finds out which corner has more grip and sends power there while reserving the right to completely overwhelm the rear tires if the driver so chooses. The Cadillac CTS-V, on the other hand, is as old school as it gets. Look under the carbon fiber hood and you’ll find a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that makes about 640 horsepower—all of that going to the rear wheels because ‘Murrica. Which approach is most effective? To find out, the boys at Motor Trend take the brand-new AMG and pit it against the CTS-V. No mercy here, may the best car win.
