The new BMW M5 might not have been developed to be a proper dragster but it looks like it can play that part perfectly. The Competition model is even better as it has more power than the standard M5, but only by 25 HP while torque remains the same. The video we’re showing you today shows the M5 Competition going up against the latest Vantage launched by Aston Martin, this time fitted with an AMG-sourced V8 under the hood.
This is by no means a fair comparison. There are countless reasons why it’s not fair to pit the M5 against the Vantage. From the fact that the BMW is a sedan that can easily accommodate four adult people inside to the weight difference and even the aerodynamics difference, these two shouldn’t go up against each other. On the other hand, the Aston is a rear-wheel drive car and that’s a disadvantage when involved in a simple drag race like this, as it may make it difficult to put the power down.
Speaking of which, let’s take a look at the specs. The BMW comes with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 making 625 HP and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque. It uses the new M xDrive all-wheel drive system and can accelerate from nil to 100 km/h (62 mph) in jut 3.1 seconds despite weighing nearly 2 tons. Basically, it’s the real-life embodiment of the ‘land rocket’ if you will, all without having to cut any corners.
On the other side of the strip, the Aston Martin Vantage is a 2-seater GT, one fitted with a 4-liter V8 turbocharged engine good for 510 HP and 675 Nm (498 lb-ft) of torque. That power goes solely to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission, similar to the one used on the M5. It will do 62 mph from standstill in a claimed 3.6 seconds, considerably slower than the M5, even though it’s nearly half a ton lighter. All things considered, the outcome of this drag race couldn’t have been different.
