Pitting a BMW i8 against a Mercedes-Benz SUV like the G63 AMG is not something you’ll see every day and frankly, doesn’t make a lot of sense. If ANY. But just like some people say, this is a contest between the past and the future. The Mercedes was designed back in the 70s and it changed only ever so slightly over the years. The biggest changes were mechanical but even so, they weren’t made to be eco-friendly in any way. The G63 AMG uses a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 making 536 HP and 561 lb-ft (761 Nm) of torque.
However, that sort of Gargantuan power is needed to make the car fast – a car that doesn’t really care about weight or aerodynamics. On the other hand, we have the BMW i8 which relies on an internal combustion 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine for the rear axle and an electric motor up front. The rear axle gets 231 PS and 236 lb-ft (320 Nm) of torque while the front one gets 131 PS and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm).
Working together they can deliver 362 PS and 420 lb-ft (570 Nm) of torque which seems like nothing compared to the SUV. However, the weight of the i8 – thanks to its futuristic carbon fiber body and flawless aerodynamics – make it the faster car.
In all of the three races, the BMW wins it, even when it runs in Eco Pro mode. So what does that prove? Nothing much really, other than the fact that a lightweight car with enough power will always win in straight line.
