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05-22-2012, 03:47 PM
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Last week we bench-raced the four-cylinder versions of the Cadillac ATS, the BMW 3-series, the Mercedes-Benz C-class and the Audi A4. On paper, the BMW continued to look like the ultimate driving machine. Let's see what happens when we move to pricier versions of each car. Each of the cars we'll compare has a six-cylinder engine and a price near $40,000. The A4 has been replaced with the 2013 Lexus IS350, which offers a V6 and rear-wheel drive.
Surprisingly, the American-made ATS comes in with the most powerful engine, at 320 hp. On second thought, that's not surprising. The Lexus is next at an estimated 306 hp, followed by Mercedes at 302 hp and BMW at 300 hp. Bimmerphiles can rejoice that Bavaria still has the highest specific output.
Enthusiasts will note that only the BMW and the Cadillac offer manual transmissions; the Lexus has a six-speed automatic in V6 trim while the C-class gets a seven-speed unit.
Power is one thing, but “feeling fast” is another. The C-class is the bear of the group, weighing in at 3,924 pounds. That puts its power-to-weight ratio at 13 pounds per horse (pph). The BMW's ratio is 12 pph, the Lexus is 11.52 pph and the Cadillac tops the list at an estimated 11.09 pph.
So the Cadillac should feel the fastest, but what if you want the best bang for your buck in a rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan? The 3-series is the most expensive at $43,295. That means each horse costs you $144. Its German rival Mercedes will charge you a bit less at $135 per hp. The Lexus is $133 and the ATS $131.
Of course on the street, this is all just talk. A BMW says one thing about your preferences while the Cadillac says another. Either way, these are very evenly matched sedans. If you must row your own then the Caddy or the BMW will suit your fancy. If you don't mind some paddle shifters in your life then the Lexus and the Mercedes could be the ticket.
Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120521/CARREVIEWS/120529975#ixzz1vc89hskh
Last week we bench-raced the four-cylinder versions of the Cadillac ATS, the BMW 3-series, the Mercedes-Benz C-class and the Audi A4. On paper, the BMW continued to look like the ultimate driving machine. Let's see what happens when we move to pricier versions of each car. Each of the cars we'll compare has a six-cylinder engine and a price near $40,000. The A4 has been replaced with the 2013 Lexus IS350, which offers a V6 and rear-wheel drive.
Surprisingly, the American-made ATS comes in with the most powerful engine, at 320 hp. On second thought, that's not surprising. The Lexus is next at an estimated 306 hp, followed by Mercedes at 302 hp and BMW at 300 hp. Bimmerphiles can rejoice that Bavaria still has the highest specific output.
Enthusiasts will note that only the BMW and the Cadillac offer manual transmissions; the Lexus has a six-speed automatic in V6 trim while the C-class gets a seven-speed unit.
Power is one thing, but “feeling fast” is another. The C-class is the bear of the group, weighing in at 3,924 pounds. That puts its power-to-weight ratio at 13 pounds per horse (pph). The BMW's ratio is 12 pph, the Lexus is 11.52 pph and the Cadillac tops the list at an estimated 11.09 pph.
So the Cadillac should feel the fastest, but what if you want the best bang for your buck in a rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan? The 3-series is the most expensive at $43,295. That means each horse costs you $144. Its German rival Mercedes will charge you a bit less at $135 per hp. The Lexus is $133 and the ATS $131.
Of course on the street, this is all just talk. A BMW says one thing about your preferences while the Cadillac says another. Either way, these are very evenly matched sedans. If you must row your own then the Caddy or the BMW will suit your fancy. If you don't mind some paddle shifters in your life then the Lexus and the Mercedes could be the ticket.
Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120521/CARREVIEWS/120529975#ixzz1vc89hskh
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