Drove an S65 and an F430 last weekend
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Drove an S65 and an F430 last weekend
In an unfortunate switch of strengths, I got to drive the S65 on an MB track in England and the F430 on the highway outside Milan. How can I really complain though?
Driving an F430 is dangerous to others, even in Italy people are snapping their heads around to look at your car. Good torque and great feedback through the car when you're just learning it. The F1 tranny did surprise me once by up shifting on it's own at 8,300 rpm's in 4th gear. It shifted a millisecond before I hit the paddle and just as quickly went for 6th gear. The engine/exhaust combination brought a reflexive smile to my face when the car hit 6k rpm's. Just one of those satisfying moments in life that got better as I moved toward 8,500. Interior layout seemed really intuitive overall, everything is right where you'd expect it to be.
The S65 is really fantastic on a track ... all things considered (weight). The ABC suspension is amazingly predictive and quick, not intrusive at all. The power delivery is really smooth, I didn't notice any turbo lag. The brakes were really strong, they had the best feel of any of the AMG's that I drove that day (E63 estate, CLS63, SLK55). It was the last car that I drove that day and the combination of track time helping to smooth my approach, turn in and exits and the smooth ride of the S class made those laps seem like a Sunday ride in the country. The pro driver said that on the back stretch you might just nick 95 as the top speed if you hit the second turn apex just right - well, it's good to know I'm not perfect, I could hit 92 but that was all.
The CLS was great fun, the Estate seemed competitive with it. The SLK ... was my least favorite, maybe it was just too small. I really wanted an SL but it was in the body shop.
Driving an F430 is dangerous to others, even in Italy people are snapping their heads around to look at your car. Good torque and great feedback through the car when you're just learning it. The F1 tranny did surprise me once by up shifting on it's own at 8,300 rpm's in 4th gear. It shifted a millisecond before I hit the paddle and just as quickly went for 6th gear. The engine/exhaust combination brought a reflexive smile to my face when the car hit 6k rpm's. Just one of those satisfying moments in life that got better as I moved toward 8,500. Interior layout seemed really intuitive overall, everything is right where you'd expect it to be.
The S65 is really fantastic on a track ... all things considered (weight). The ABC suspension is amazingly predictive and quick, not intrusive at all. The power delivery is really smooth, I didn't notice any turbo lag. The brakes were really strong, they had the best feel of any of the AMG's that I drove that day (E63 estate, CLS63, SLK55). It was the last car that I drove that day and the combination of track time helping to smooth my approach, turn in and exits and the smooth ride of the S class made those laps seem like a Sunday ride in the country. The pro driver said that on the back stretch you might just nick 95 as the top speed if you hit the second turn apex just right - well, it's good to know I'm not perfect, I could hit 92 but that was all.
The CLS was great fun, the Estate seemed competitive with it. The SLK ... was my least favorite, maybe it was just too small. I really wanted an SL but it was in the body shop.
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