One race can make the difference with its reaction time.
The BMW M5 Competition, and Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 both have V8-powered performance vehicles that do things differently. While the GT500 places a high priority on speed, the M5’s M5 grade is still luxurious and fast. Let’s compare them on the drag strip.
Shmee is the automotive YouTuber who owns this GT500. It has the optional Track package which includes 20-inch carbon wheels and adjustable strut top mounts.
Shelby’s 5.2-liter supercharged V8 produces 760 horsepower (567kilowatts) as well as 625 pound-feet (847 Newton meters) of torque. It also has a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox. According to Ford, the car can complete the quarter-mile in less than 11 seconds.
The M5 Competition features a twin-turbo, 4.4-liter V8 that produces 617 horsepower (460 kW) as well as 553 lb/ft (750 Nm). The eight-speed automatic transmits power to both axles.
Now it’s time for the race. It’s a very close race. The entire distance, both models are side-by-side. The Mustang wins the quarter-mile in 10.966 seconds, covering it at 129.4 mph (208.25 km/h). The M5 is slightly slower at 11.286 seconds and 123.86 mph (199.3 km/h).
Things get weird for race 2. Although the M5 finishes first, it has a slower quarter mile time. This is due to the BMW driver’s 0.87 second reaction time, compared with 2.98 seconds for Ford. The M5 Competition completes the distance in just 11.173 seconds, at 124.71 mph (200.7 km/h). The GT500 covers the distance in 10.988 seconds at 129.97mph (209.2 km/h).
The video analysis shows that the M5 crosses the line in 0.036 seconds less than the GT500. This is a distance of 7.05 feet (2.149 metres).