Edmunds CarPool

Opening Statements:

Mark Takahashi for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The S-Class defines luxury sedans. It is the standard by which all others are judged, and that, in turn, defines excellence. From the very beginning, the S-Class has pursued a few precepts -- luxury, safety and innovation. Every S-Class sedan has been able to comfortably accommodate four full-sized adults in an opulent cabin. Its contemporaries have simply paled in comparison throughout the years.

During these decades, Mercedes has either pioneered or developed concepts that have included crumple zones, disc brakes, the passenger survival cell, antilock brakes, turbo diesels, fuel injection, seatbelt pre-tensioners, traction control, rollover protection and laminated safety glass.

The smart money has always been with the Benz, as witnessed by the long list of luminaries that have chosen the S-Class as their preferred mode of transport. Owners have included heads of state, captains of industry, the super wealthy and those who simply identify quality. This was established back in the mid-1950's and still holds true today.

Kurt Niebuhr for the Porsche 911
Competitive on the racetrack, practical on the road. For something like 45 years now, that has been the constant theme with the Porsche 911. When it was introduced as a replacement for the Porsche 356, the 911 had to succeed as a road car while at the same time continuing the growing level of success enjoyed by the company's racecars in all manner of events. The results from the 911's development in the early 1960's can still be seen, heard and experienced in today's version.

Usually, the placement of an engine would not be cause for discussion, but ever since the first 911's rolled out of the factory (straight ahead mind you, not sideways or backwards as some would joke) the engine has been located in the back, behind the rear axle. While the engine may be the obviously point of discussion, more subtle details, which have more to do with a car's character than anything, haven't been changed either. The ignition key can still be found on the left side of the steering wheel and the instrument panel still retains its five dial, tachometer-centric layout. And just look at the shape of a 911.

In the end, the Porsche 911 has been about evolution, not revolution. The company has continually refined and improved the 911 without losing any of its essence. Regardless of whether a 911 has turbocharging, a convertible top or an all-wheel drive system, what made a 911 a 911 back in 1965, still makes a 911 what it is today.

Rebuttals:

Takahashi: This is going to be a tough one. My Benz and your Porsche have certainly carried their bloodlines well, so I guess the only way I could win is to start flinging some mud. Problem is, I like the 911. Well, here it goes. The S-Class towers above the 911 when it comes to innovation, as noted in my opening statement. The Porsche has fought change like Rush Limbaugh at an Obama Rally. Porsche has spent the last 40 years inventing all sorts of gadgets in an effort to correct the engine's rear placement. Ok, fine, it continues its bloodlines, but what if one of those continuing traits is a congenital birth defect?

The Cayman proves this point. Move the engine amidships and, voila, it handles better! As a result they had to dumb down the Cayman so it wouldn't surpass the 911. Don't get me wrong, the Porsche 911 is a great car, maybe one of the greatest ever. But imagine how much better it would've been if the engine was in front of the rear axles.

Niebuhr: The problem I see with the S-Class is the inconsistency of its excellence. It's had its moments to be sure, but there have been decades where it was outclassed and overpriced. The early 80's saw the S-Class leap ahead and hold it's ground, but through the latter half of the decade and into the 90's it was eclipsed by BMW's 7 Series as well as being thoroughly out S-Classed by Lexus. Only recently has the S-Class returned to the front of the pack, but I'm afraid that against something as consistent and true to its roots as the 911, it stands no chance.

In the 1960's, the Porsche 911 was a practical sports car, powered by a rear mounted flat six engine. As a racing car, it won various on and off-road rallies, endurance races, sports car championships and hill climbs. These achievements did not wane through the 1970's, 80's, 90's or 2000's. To this day, the Porsche 911 is still a practical sports car, powered by a rear mounted flat six engine. It also continues to win rallies, endurance races, sports cars races and hill climbs. I've been fortunate enough to have driven several iterations of the 911 over the years, and they have all shared that special something that makes them uniquely a 911.

So which one gets your vote?