In spite of having different layouts, the BMW M2 CS, Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 and Mercedes-AMG A45 S offer similar straight-line performance, but which one is faster at the track?
That’s what we are about to find out, as AutoBildSportsCars put them at the Lausitzring with an experienced driver at the helm to see how they fared against the clock.
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Before placing your bets, let’s run down each car’s specs, starting with the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0, which boasts a mid-engine and rear-wheel drive layout. Power comes from a 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated flat-six, with 394 HP (399 PS / 294 kW) and 308 lb-ft (418 Nm) of torque that’s hooked up to a six-speed manual transmission. From nought to 60 mph (0-96 km/h) it needs 4.3 seconds, and it maxes out at 182 mph (293 km/h).
The M2 CS has its engine at the front, and it’s a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline-six that pushes out 444 HP (450 PS / 331 kW) and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) of torque. It’s matched to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT, for a 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) sprint in 4.0 and 3.8 seconds respectively, and a top speed of up to 174 mph (280 km/h).
Based on a front-biased all-wheel drive platform, the AMG A45 S is the king of mega hatchbacks, with a 2.0-liter turbo-four that makes 415 HP (421 PS / 310 kW) and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque. The power is channeled to all four wheels via an eight-speed DCT, a setup that translates into a 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) of 3.8 seconds and a 168 mph (270 km/h) top speed.