This drag race organized by carwow between the BMW M4 CS and the Shelby GT350 is a battle of European engineering versus American muscle. Both cars are legends in their own right, but which one comes out on top?
The BMW M4 CS is equipped with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six engine producing 460 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque. It features a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with launch control, sending power to the rear wheels. The Shelby GT350 is powered by a 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V8, delivering 526 horsepower and 597 Nm of torque. It uses a six-speed manual gearbox, also equipped with launch control, and drives the rear wheels.
In the first race, the BMW crossed the quarter-mile finish line in 12.3 seconds, narrowly beating the Shelby, which completed the run in 12.5 seconds when launched manually. Interestingly, when using launch control, the Shelby slowed down to 13.1 seconds, proving that its manual system is better for quick starts.
The rolling race added more drama. Starting at 35 mph in second gear, the Shelby’s naturally aspirated engine gave it an initial lead. However, as the speeds increased, the BMW’s turbocharged power delivery began to reel it in. While the M4 CS gained ground, the Shelby held its own thanks to the driver’s precise gear changes and the V8’s linear performance.
