A BMW M5 driven by Geoff Brabham takes on a BMW HP4 superbike ridden by Glenn Allerton. Who will come out on top?

First, let’s look at the power output and on-paper performance.

BMW HP4 saw its world premiere in 2012 and is a continuation of BMW Motorrad’s HP model series founded in 2005. After the boxer models HP2 Enduro, HP2 Megamoto and HP2 Sport, the BMW HP4 is the first 4-cylinder motorcycle in the HP family.

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With the BMW HP4, BMW Motorrad presents the lightest 4-cylinder supersports bike in the 1000cc class to date. Based on the BMW S 1000 RR – or RR for short – the new sports motorcycle has an output of 142 kW (193 hp) and weighs just 199 kilos including Race ABS and with a 90% full fuel tank (169 kg dry weight with Race ABS).

Unlike the RR, the 4-cylinder in-line engine in the HP4 provides the full output of 142 kW (193 bhp) at 13,000 rpm in all modes – “Rain”, “Sport”, “Race” and “Slick” – with an identical throttle curve and thus the same response, making it perfect for use on the race track.

0 to 62 mph? An astonishing 2.9 seconds.

The 2013 BMW M5 is powered by a high-revving 4.4-liter turbocharged unit that uses the BMW M TwinPower Turbo technology. The engine with the Competition Package outputs 570 horsepower from 5,750-7,000 rpm and 680Nm (502 lb-ft) of torque from only 1500rpm. It comes in both manual and 7-speed DCT transmission.

It takes the M5 4.2 seconds to get from 0 to 62 mph.

Let’s have a look.