The new F80 BMW M3 takes on the “baby-M”, the BMW 1M Coupe. On the same airstrip in Sweden where other exciting drag races have been put together, the two powerful and fun M cars are measured against each other.
The F80 M3 runs in stock form, so its 3.0 liter six-cylinder engine produces 425 hp and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) of torque. For this test, it uses the 7-speed M DCT.
The 1M gets some power upgrades from an ECU mapping, downpipes, intercooler and CAI. It now outputs 400 horsepower and 560 Nm (413 lb-ft) of torque. And of course it uses the six-speed manual transmission.
As expected, weight wise, the 1M is lighter: 1570 kg versus 1675 for the M3. Top speed is also higher on this 1M, 300 km/h versus 250 km/h.
So slightly underpowered compared to the M3, but lighter…is that enough for the 1M to pull ahead in this drag race?
