Real versus advertised acceleration times

[peterleo]

Hi everyone,

Having recently bought a brand-new S500 coupe 4matic (455 hp, 700Nm, 0-100 km/h in 4,6s), I was left with the impression that acceleration was not really what it should be.
I asked someone to time a few runs, and I got anywhere between 5,5 and 6 seconds time from 0-100 km/h.
These figures are significantly below the claimed 4,6 second time.
I'd also like to add that the times were the same with ESP both on and off.

Indeed, the car feels a bit hesitant to launch from standstill. Once it starts to accelerate, the rpm rises to around 2,000 RPM- 2,500 RPM, where it seems to stay a bit, then it quickly builds towards the redline.

The car is brand-new, only 1700 km on the clock, and I observed very strictly the running-in period for the first 1500 km, with no exceeding 4500 RPM.

What do you guys think? Is it normal to have a difference of around 1 second in real versus claimed acceleration?
Could there be a technical issue with the car?
Anything I should check?

 

[martinbo]

I don't feel there is a technical issue with the vehicle.

My first observation is that the engine is - although run in - very new and still "tight". With mileage the engine ought to loosen up and acceleration should improve.
Further, without launch control, it is very difficult to achieve the same acceleration times from standstill that the manufacturers get. Road surface and launch technique (brake-torque) also play a part as does the engine and transmission modes (sport+ etc).

 

[tristatez28lt1]

Adding to the points made by martinbo:
How did you time it? Vbox? I hope not by hand with a stop watch. (One reason why I strongly dislike the German show "Grip" is that they time everything by hand. Very inaccurate results.)
Manufacturers usually test under very good conditions with an ideal launch.

 

[peterleo]

I don't feel there is a technical issue with the vehicle.

My first observation is that the engine is - although run in - very new and still "tight". With mileage the engine ought to loosen up and acceleration should improve.
Further, without launch control, it is very difficult to achieve the same acceleration times from standstill that the manufacturers get. Road surface and launch technique (brake-torque) also play a part as does the engine and transmission modes (sport+ etc).

Well I'm very happy to hear there's probably no technical fault.
I also didn't know that the engine could be "tight". After approximately how many km would the engine be considered to run normally?

I just used a "standard" launch technique - floor the gas, and keep it there.
Out of curiosity, do manufacturers use a special launch technique (like left foot on brake and build up revs)?
Or is there a industry standard launch?
Thanks in advance for the info

Also, the runs were made with sport mode for both transmission and suspension

 

[peterleo]

Adding to the points made by martinbo:
How did you time it? Vbox? I hope not by hand with a stop watch. (One reason why I strongly dislike the German show "Grip" is that they time everything by hand. Very inaccurate results.)
Manufacturers usually test under very good conditions with an ideal launch.

unfortunately., I only had an iphone available for timing, so there is the possibility of error.
However, even though I knew the timing method was not 100% precise, the results were all within 0,4s from each other (5,6-6,0s).
I'm really curious if the manufacturers use a special way of launching the car for the official numbers...

 

[Mr Robert]

There you go. The engine will be as it should after a few k's.

Iphone is not a way to do this.

 

[martinbo]

Well I'm very happy to hear there's probably no technical fault.
I also didn't know that the engine could be "tight". After approximately how many km would the engine be considered to run normally?

Given that modern engines are engineered to such fine tolerances, my gut feel is that an engine only starts to give its best after 5000 to 10000 km depending on the driving style.

 

[RS2000 4X4]

Hi everyone,

Having recently bought a brand-new S500 coupe 4matic (455 hp, 700Nm, 0-100 km/h in 4,6s), I was left with the impression that acceleration was not really what it should be.
I asked someone to time a few runs, and I got anywhere between 5,5 and 6 seconds time from 0-100 km/h.
These figures are significantly below the claimed 4,6 second time.
I'd also like to add that the times were the same with ESP both on and off.

Indeed, the car feels a bit hesitant to launch from standstill. Once it starts to accelerate, the rpm rises to around 2,000 RPM- 2,500 RPM, where it seems to stay a bit, then it quickly builds towards the redline.

The car is brand-new, only 1700 km on the clock, and I observed very strictly the running-in period for the first 1500 km, with no exceeding 4500 RPM.

What do you guys think? Is it normal to have a difference of around 1 second in real versus claimed acceleration?
Could there be a technical issue with the car?
Anything I should check?

You can make it more flexible by in full in gear acceleration (always a higher gear, it is not meant to be the fastest but to loosen the engine).

Instead of giving it the beans from standstill, do a 30-100km/h in 3rd gear, 50-100km/h in 4th gear. On the highway do a 90-130km/h in 5th and 6th gear and so on.

When you drive on an empty road you can do it very often and it is fun (offcourse staying within limits).

I did this with all my cars and it helps to loosen the engine.

Some cars are required to visit the garage after the ride (5000km) in where they change something on the computer and change the oil (some cars are "restricted" during the ride in), maybe thats also the case with your car?

 

[peterleo]

I've managed to find a video of another s500 coupe accelerating

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It also seems to be around 5,5s 0-100. If you look closely at around 0:22, during the initial acceleration, you will see the RPM hover a bit around 2100 RPM.
What could this be? I have similar behavior...

 

[DeDe]

If you look closely at around 0:22, during the initial acceleration, you will see the RPM hover a bit around 2100 RPM.
What could this be? I have similar behavior...

Because there's no slip (AWD), I think it "hovers" there until the car reaches the actual speed for that rpm - than both rpm and speed starts to build up.

 

[martinbo]

From launch at low rpm (idle) this is typical of engine "bogging down" due to AWD + turbocharging as the inertia of the turbochargers needs to be overcome in order for them to spool up.
The mechanically unsympathetic approach of brake torquing is used to build the rpm - hence spooling the turbos up - whilst holding the car on the brakes.

 

[peterleo]

Ok. I think I understand now.
I want to thank you all for all your efforts in clearing this up for me.
I was quite worried that something was very wrong with the car, but now I see its' just normal behavior.
I really appreciate all your explanations, and I am really glad I joined this forum (almost 10 years ago)
Cheers guys!

 

[AndreB]

Hi Peter,
I'm planning to buy a S500 Coupe as well, not brand new but with low mileage.
So I'd like to know your thoughts about the car.

Indeed 5,6-6.0 seems slow for its engine specs. I'm expecting to accelerate like jet fighter compared to my current car A8 3.0 TDI.

I've seen the car inside-out and really like it but I wasn't able to drive it yet.
However one thing that I found weird is the missing padding from trunk upper part, it seemed like a cost reduction.

Please let me know if you have anything else that bothers you... and safe trips!

 

[peterleo]

Hi Peter,
I'm planning to buy a S500 Coupe as well, not brand new but with low mileage.
So I'd like to know your thoughts about the car.

Indeed 5,6-6.0 seems slow for its engine specs. I'm expecting to accelerate like jet fighter compared to my current car A8 3.0 TDI.

I've seen the car inside-out and really like it but I wasn't able to drive it yet.
However one thing that I found weird is the missing padding from trunk upper part, it seemed like a cost reduction.

Please let me know if you have anything else that bothers you... and safe trips!

Hi Andre,

Well, I could write an entire book on my thoughts of the car I remember when I was researching it, I had a tough time finding answers to all my questions - and they were many.
So feel free to ask me anything, even details, you want to know of the car.

First of all, the car is absolutely a dream to drive. Its' an experience I've never had in another car, but, like any other car, it does have its' quirks.
For me, in no particular order, they are:
-sunroof does open at all. It would be nice to tilt it a little...
-I'm not a fan of steering wheel mounted gear changer. It reminds me of old Cadillacs and Lincolns, but once you get used to it, its' very helpful, especially in tight parking spaces
-no option or space to put a spare tire. I am not a fan of run flats, and some types of tire damage cannot be resolved on the spot with the spray
-the touchpad, although a nice feature, has a very cheap feel to it - think old laptop plastic trackpad, not macbook low-friction trackpad - so I almost never use it
-the boot is smaller then you'd expect for a car of its' size

All of the things above are things I quickly forget about when driving.
Now, it would be fair to also point out things I do like about the car:
-massage seats are fabulous. You have to experience them on a long journey to really appreciate them
-really good turning radius. I was prepared for a hard time driving it around the city, but it wasn't the case. On the contrary, it is very easy.
-adjustable suspension height - the car is long and low, and its' a good feature to have around sidewalks in cities
-360 camera - just check out youtube videos, makes life much easier both when reversing or pulling up perpendicular to a curb
-seats are also beyond words
-the engine sound and pops make everyone ask if it is an AMG model

Overall, I'm happy with my decision to buy this car. There's many more things to list.
Anything more you, or anyone here, wants to know about it, just ask. I will be happy to reply.
Cheers!

 

[Mss7211]

Hello Peterleo,

first, congrats on your new car !

I do own the same car with the same spec, have crossed 57K km by now.
and i recently installed new set of tiers, so i think it would be nice if i did a small 0-100km/hr test just to compare.

have to say, i did some launch test with '15 Bentley W12 Flyingspur, RR Vouge SE, G63 AMG, Lexus RCF, and some other cars i cant remember where the coupe passed them all.

anyhow, ill get back to you later with my results too

 

[peterleo]

Hello Peterleo,

first, congrats on your new car !

I do own the same car with the same spec, have crossed 57K km by now.
and i recently installed new set of tiers, so i think it would be nice if i did a small 0-100km/hr test just to compare.

have to say, i did some launch test with '15 Bentley W12 Flyingspur, RR Vouge SE, G63 AMG, Lexus RCF, and some other cars i cant remember where the coupe passed them all.

anyhow, ill get back to you later with my results too

Thanks! I appreciate it and I'm looking forward to your results!
It's not every day you meet a fellow S coupe driver

 

[Mss7211]

Thanks! I appreciate it and I'm looking forward to your results!
It's not every day you meet a fellow S coupe driver

So i managed to test the car today, with different approaches.

Under these conditions,
IPhone stopwatch
Weather 23C
Wind 8km/hr
ESP ON
Sport suspension
Sport mode
Goodyear Tiers MOE at 270~275 kPa
35% of fuel tank

1st run
A/C switched of
And revved the engine to 2,000rpm
Slammed the gas and got : 4.8 sec

2nd run
Same as above without revveing the engine : 4.9 sec

3rd run and 4th run
A/C on
With and without revving the engine got 5.0 sec

Ill try to upload a video too.

 

[peterleo]

So i managed to test the car today, with different approaches.

Under these conditions,
IPhone stopwatch
Weather 23C
Wind 8km/hr
ESP ON
Sport suspension
Sport mode
Goodyear Tiers MOE at 270~275 kPa
35% of fuel tank

1st run
A/C switched of
And revved the engine to 2,000rpm
Slammed the gas and got : 4.8 sec

2nd run
Same as above without revveing the engine : 4.9 sec

3rd run and 4th run
A/C on
With and without revving the engine got 5.0 sec

Ill try to upload a video too.

Hello! Thanks for the results!
Just a few questions:
How many km does your car have in total?
What did you do about the running-in period? What was the max rpm for how many km?

I was always imagining that car manufacturers were conservative about acceleration numbers - giving a "guaranteed" acceleration figure that anyone could reach under normal conditions.

I really wonder how they obtain 4,6 sec in tests...

Anyway, thanks for the details, and let me know when you post the video.
Cheers!

 

[Kowalski]

Hello @peterleo and @Mss7211. First off, congratulations. I think the S coupé is currently one if not THE prettiest four seater coupé on sale today.

I found this other acceleration video; it's not a 4Matic coupé, though.

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[tennmb]

Hello @peterleo and @Mss7211. First off, congratulations. I think the S coupé is currently one if not THE prettiest four seater coupé on sale today.

I found this other acceleration video; it's not a 4Matic coupé, though.

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All the 550 coupes in the US are AWD. Is that not the case in other markets.