Sedans aren’t quite as popular as they once were, with SUVs and crossovers grabbing bigger pieces of the pie seemingly every year.
But who doesn’t love a super-brawny saloon, right? Three-box configuration, four doors and oodles of oomph.
Well, we had a rummage through the figures to pick out the seven most powerful sedans currently offered on South Africa’s new vehicle market…
1. Porsche Panamera turbo S e-hybrid: 500 kW
Right at the top, with a pleasingly round 500 kW, sits the dual-power Panamera, which combines a 4,0-litre V8 with an electric motor to produce a whopping 850 N.m. This results in a claimed acceleration time from zero to 100 km/h of just 3,4 seconds and a top speed of 310 km/h, along with a fully electric driving range of up to 50 km. The price? A cool R2 931 000 (or R3 134 000 if you want the better-equipped Executive derivative).
2. Mercedes-AMG S65 L: 463 kW
Mercedes-AMG has to settle for second place on this list, with its S65 L (R3 280 126) churning out 463 kW courtesy of the brand’s turbocharged 6,0-litre V12. Peak torque comes in at a mammoth 1 000 N.m, while the claimed sprint from standstill to 100 km/h takes 4,3 seconds. The S63, for the record, offers 430 kW from its turbocharged 5,5-litre V8.
3. Bentley Flying Spur W12: 460 kW
The most expensive vehicle on this list at R4 009 000, this version of Bentley’s Flying Spur (the even more powerful W12 S has yet to arrive in SA) is equipped with a 6,0-litre W12 worth 460 kW and 800 N.m, which is enough for a claimed 4,6-second dash to three figures and a top speed of some 320 km/h.
4. Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4Matic+: 450 kW
The most extreme E-Class (R1 878 318) makes use of Affalterbach’s familiar turbocharged 4,0-litre V8, with 450 kW and 850 N.m sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed dual-clutch transmission. Complete with a so-called “Drift Mode”, the E63 S rockets to 100 km/h in a claimed 3,4 seconds…
5. BMW M760Li xDrive: 448 kW
The hefty M760Li relies upon a 6,6-litre V12 turbocharged to produce peak outputs of 448 kW and 800 N.m. The sprint to three figures takes a claimed 3,7 seconds, remarkable considering the size and weight of this 7 Series sedan, which is priced at R2 719 736…
6. BMW M6 Gran Coupé Competition: 441 kW
The current 6 Series range may be nearing the end of its life-cycle, but the M6 Gran Coupé Competition (R2 130 668) isn’t exactly short on oomph. With a turbocharged 4,4-litre V8 beneath its bonnet, this four-door, rear-wheel drive model is worth 441 kW and 700 N.m, enough for a claimed 3,9-second run to 100 km/h…
7. Mercedes-AMG CLS63 S: 430 kW
Another model that is expected to be replaced in the near future, the hottest CLS makes 430 kW and 800 N.m thanks to its 5,5-litre turbocharged V8. With drive channelled to the rear axle, the angry CLS63 S (which costs R1 920 254) completes the obligatory sprint to three figures in a claimed 4,1 seconds.
Also read:
- 7 most powerful SUVs on SA’s new vehicle market
- 5 most expensive double-cab bakkies in South Africa
- 9 dirtiest hatchbacks on SA’s new car market
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- 7 most expensive SUVs on SA’s new vehicle market
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- 50 best-selling vehicles in the world in 2016…
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- 6 most powerful naturally aspirated new cars in SA
- 5 cheapest new cars in SA with 200 kW or more
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- 5 double-cab bakkies that make the most torque…
- 5 bakkies we think South Africa would go crazy for
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- 5 cheapest automatics on SA’s new vehicle market
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- 5 biggest gas-guzzlers on SA’s new vehicle market
- 5 most fuel-efficient cars we’ve recently tested
- 7 most fuel-efficient non-hybrid petrol cars in SA
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