The new BMW M3 Competition features a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six with 503 hp and as such, it is very quick. However, can it out-sprint a previous-generation M3 that has been tuned to deliver 700 hp?
To find out, CarWow brought a new M3 to the drag strip and lined it up against a bright green F80 M3 from Evolve Automotive. In addition to receiving an aftermarket wrap, this M3’s powertrain has been comprehensively upgraded, giving it a significant power advantage over the new model. As this video reveals, however, power is nothing without traction.
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Off the line, the launch control system of the new car is able to put its power to the ground much more efficiently than the 700 hp M3. As the speeds start to increase, the older model does start to close the gap but wasn’t able to overtake it by the quarter-mile. The G80 M3 Competition ultimately ran down the quarter-mile in 11.6 seconds compared with 11.7 seconds for the tuned model.
The tables turned in the rolling drag race, however. From 50 mph and with both cars locked in third gear, the tuned M3 immediately sprints off into the distance, making the most of its added grunt and leaving the new car in its dust. Then again, with 200 extra horses, this shouldn’t be much of a surprise.