Mercedes AMG C 63 S E PERFORMANCE W206 vs BMW M5 CS F90: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the M5 CS hits 100 km/h in 3.03 s versus 3.39 s for the AMG C 63 S E PERFORMANCE. Despite lacking instant torque, 635 hp of power compensates. At this point, the M5 CS leads by 0.37 s and sits roughly 2 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the M5 CS is doing 170 km/h against 169 km/h for the AMG C 63 S E PERFORMANCE. The gap is 0.27 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the M5 CS crosses the line in 10.81 s versus 11.06 s. The 0.25 s gap represents roughly 15 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The AMG C 63 S E PERFORMANCE maxes out at 280 km/h while the M5 CS keeps accelerating towards 295 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.15 s.

Around 837 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the AMG C 63 S E PERFORMANCE overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 15 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the AMG C 63 S E PERFORMANCE finishes in 19.80 s versus 19.94 s. The 0.14 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the AMG C 63 S E PERFORMANCE is capped at 280 km/h, the M5 CS at 305 km/h. This isn’t a physical engine limit - it’s a manufacturer choice, usually for tyre safety or homologation reasons. Neither car reaches its true aerodynamic top speed.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 4.78 seconds. The 0.37 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.