While most can’t get past how the 2021 M4 Competition looks, the BMW coupe can certainly back up its M badge. But, as always, it’s not the quick German luxury car available. From Audi, there’s the RS 5, while Mercedes offers the AMG-tuned C 63 S. So, which is the quickest coupe? That’s what YouTube team Throttle House decided to find out.

The 2021 BMW M4 Competition, Audi RS 5 Coupe, and Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe are some seriously speedy luxury cars

Whether or not you like how it looks, you can’t deny that the 2021 BMW M4 Competition lacks speed. Although the Competition trim locks out the manual option, it also gives the coupe a power boost. So, rather than 473 hp and 406 lb-ft, its 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six makes 503 hp and 479 lb-ft.

While an AWD option is in the works, for now, the 2021 M4 Competition is RWD-only. But thanks to the extra output and eight-speed automatic, it goes 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds. Or at least, BMW claims it does; Car and Driver reckons it can do the deed in 3.6 seconds.

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S matches the BMW M4 Competition in horsepower. But its 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 makes 516 lb-ft. And while it’s also a RWD coupe, the C 63 S packs a nine-speed automatic. However, as the C 63 S is about 200 pounds heavier than the BMW, it’s slightly slower on paper. Car and Driver recorded a 0-60 mph time at 3.7 seconds.

Compared to the other two, the 2021 Audi RS 5 Coupe is at a noticeable output disadvantage. It has a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 rated at 444 hp and 443 lb-ft linked to an eight-speed automatic. Though on Car and Driver’s scales, the RS 5 is slightly lighter than the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S.

However, unlike the other two cars, the Audi RS 5 has AWD. And on paper, the traction advantage seemingly overcomes the power and weight handicaps. That’s because Car and Driver clocked the coupe’s 0-60 mph time at 3.5 seconds.

How Throttle House tested these cars

Throttle House’s testing procedures were fairly straightforward. The BMW M4 Competition, Audi RS 5, and Mercedes-AMG C 63 S lined up for two ¼-mile drag races. The first was a standing-start race using launch control, while the second was a rolling race. A rolling start eliminates any traction or software advantages and focuses purely on the transmission and engine.

According to the 0-60 mph times, it seems like the Audi RS 5 should be the winner. But in a rolling 5-60 mph comparison, it actually falls behind the C 63 S. According to Car and Driver, the RS 5 goes 5-60 mph in 4.6 seconds, while the Mercedes-AMG does it in 4.4 seconds.

But looking at ¼-mile times, the potential results become muddier. Car and Driver estimates the 2021 BMW M4 Competition can run it in 11.3 seconds. And in its testing, it found the RS 5 and C 63 S both need 11.9 seconds to run the ¼-mile. However, of those two, the Mercedes had the higher final trap speed.

Which is the fastest: the BMW M4 Competition, the Audi RS 5, or the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S?

Although the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S has the most torque of the three, it didn’t help the coupe succeed. But that doesn’t mean the BMW M4 Competition was the outright winner, either.

The Audi RS 5 Coupe, thanks to its AWD, won the standing-start drag race. However, the M4 Competition won the rolling race, with the RS 5 coming in second. Though, to be fair, the C 63 S did significantly better in the rolling race, finishing just on the Audi’s trunk.

So, if you’re trying to pass someone on the highway, the BMW is the one to take. But for getting away at a set of lights, the Audi RS 5 beats it out.

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