V8 versus V12. Stuttgart versus Munich.

It is finally here – The two high-performance premium segment kings are facing off in a high speed duel. This isn’t a drag race. It’s a comparison of acceleration speed. These two cars are the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG (M760i in America) and the BMW M760Li (M760i here in the U.S.). They are being tested by AutoTopNL. This YouTube channel recently ran a staggering 197-miles an hour (318-kilometers an hour) in one night.

It is always fun to compare the fastest versions of the most luxurious models made by the German brands. These two fast limousines look very different, at least on paper. The Stuttgart sedan uses a 4.0-liter biturbo V8 while the Bavarian counterpart has a powerful 6.6-liter engine12. The S is 612 horsepower (456kilowatts), while the 7’s has 601 hp (449kW). The flagship Mercedes model is also slightly faster at 62 mph (100 km/h) from a standstill, but has a lower top speed.

In reality, however, things are a little different. Although the M760Li was the first vehicle to reach 62 mph (100 km/h), the S63 is able to catch up quickly to 124 (200 km/h). The additional 74 pound-feet of torque (100 Newton-meters), helps a lot. The S-Class is still faster at 124 mph (220 kph), and 186 mph (353 kph). Maximum speed? Top speed: 196 mph (315 km/h) for S63, and 197 mph (318 km/h) M760i.

Speed isn’t everything in super-luxurious, powerful sedans, as we all know. The video below shows how the Dutch testers compare the exhaust sounds from the V8 and the V12 engines to help you make an educated decision.

Autobahn, thank you for allowing the legal world to test the top speeds of various vehicles.