Can this modified family car take on two Nissan GT-Rs on the drag strip? Awesome V-8 and V-6 noisesOfficially Gassed has staged another drag race for us, this time with three cars. The question here is, can a modified Mercedes AMG E63S T-model hold its own against two Nissan GT-Rs? The AMG E63 S is heavier, but also has the most horsepower and torque of the bunch. Let’s see if that counts for something.

The Contenders

Nissan GT-R

The first GT-R has had more work done to it. Modifications include SVM ST Stage 3 IHI twin-turbos, upgraded downpipes, SVM intercooler, SVM 80mm hard pipe kit with K&N filters, twin-motorsport fuel pumps, ASNU 1,100cc fuel injectors, 14-plate clutch pack, gearbox circuit upgrade, and an EcuTech map. The result is 800 horsepower and 600 pound-feet (813 Nm). The car is running on Dunlop Sportmax tires and weighs in at 3,836 pounds (1,740 kg).

Mercedes AMG E63S T-model

The AMG station wagon has its fair share of mods too. These include Litco custom turbochargers, 3.5-inch downpipe, Spool Performance high-pressure fuel pumps, and ZAC Motorsports air boxes and filters. The car usually runs 950 horsepower, but today has “only” 875 at its disposal. Peak torque is a massive 958 pound-feet (1,299 Nm). Like the GT-Rs, the Mercedes is all-wheel drive, but its launch control has decided not to work, for the race. Its nine-speed automatic could make up for it with crisp shifts. The AMG comes in at 4,563 pounds (2,070 kg).

Tuned Nissan GT-R

The third contender is more of an honorary guest, but he still runs with the pack. The car features light modifications, consisting of new downpipes, a Mitlek Y-pipe, and an EcuTech flash. The car is good for 625 horsepower. Like the other GT-R, this one weighs in at 3,836 pounds (1,740 kg). It also has a tall rear wing, which is the only visual change, from stock.

The Drag Race

This time, the weather is rainy, which could give the much heavier Mercedes E63S an advantage. The first race, indeed, finishes with the Mercedes beating the high-powered GT-R by a car length. For the second race, however, the 800-horsepower GT-R took one back, beating the “Merc” by a car length.

This development prompts a third race, in which the 800-horsepower GT-R gets a "gearbox overheat" warning. The AMG wins, but the race is void. A fourth, last, race is in order, and the now cooled GT-R manages to beat the Mercedes. The less powerful Godzilla gets a car length, but the AMG E63S still manages to beat it by a fender.

Quarter-mile and 0 to 60 mph times

Because of the rainy weather, all three cars performed worse than their stock versions. The 800-horsepower Nissan GT-R manages a 3.71-second 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time while the 625-horsepower GT-R manages a 4.28-second run to 60 mph. The Mercedes AMG, actually, has the best 0 to 60 mph time of 3.64 seconds.

As for the quarter-mile, the 625-horsepower Nissan GT-R finished in 12.42 seconds at 117.76 mph (189.51 km/h) while the 800-horsepower GT-R manages an 11.47-second quarter-mile time at 127.84 mph (205.74 km/h). The Mercedes AMG E63S T-model runs an 11.25-second quarter-mile time at 135.41 mph (217.92 km/h).

The roll race

A rolling start should, in theory, favor the car with the most torque – the Mercedes AMG E63S. This also happens to be the heaviest car, which in rainy weather is actually an advantage. Thanks to its extra weight and 958 pound-feet (1,299 Nm), the Mercedes takes the first win, by a car length. Round two, however, sees the big-power GT-R hook up properly, taking the “Merc” by a car length.

The decisive third race was a bit more dramatic, with both the big-power GT-R and the “Merc” losing traction and getting dangerously close to one another. The GT-R wins over the AMG, and this time, the less powerful GT-R is just a fender behind the AMG E63S. In the end, the overall winner was a Nissan GT-R although the much more practical, V-8-powered Mercedes put up more than a good fight.