BMW M3 Competition Drag Races Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS, Both Are Properly Fast

I still remember how poorly the 718 was received because of its undersized engines, which are more than adequate for Porsche's entry-level sports car. There's no denying the aural qualities of a turbocharged four-pot engine aren't on par with those of a naturally-aspirated sixer, but that's a biggie. The 718 received a six-cylinder lump in 2019 with the Cayman GT4.

In 2020 and 2022, the Cayman's line grew larger with the debuts of the GTS 4.0 and GT4 RS. The latter is – without a shadow of a doubt – the most extreme Cayman entitled to wear a license plate. The superb-looking machine in the featured clip doesn't have a license because it's pictured on a runway.

Next to it, a heavier and more powerful sedan is much obliged to race over the quarter mile to find out who's who in a straight line. Not surprising in the least, the BMW M3 Competition loses the first race with a respectable time of 11.85 seconds versus 11.77 seconds for the midship 718 Cayman GT4 RS.

From zero to 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour), the Porker is quicker as well, clocking 3.46 seconds compared to 4.5 seconds – without launch control – for the Bimmer. The second race also ends in victory for the Cayman, which needs 11.78 seconds to cover the quarter mile versus 11.89 clicks.

From a roll, it's pretty much a repeat of the standing quarter-mile races from earlier. The 718 asserts dominance from 100 to 200 kilometers per hour (62 to 124 miles per hour), first recording 7.78 seconds as opposed to 8.04 for the BMW. The M3 Competition requires 7.98 seconds to pull from 100 to 200 kph in the second race, whereas the 718 needs 7.87 seconds.

Both are winners in their own rights, but more importantly, both of them were designed to corner like nobody's business rather than slay a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 at the drag strip. Weighing 1,490 kilograms (3,285 pounds) compared to the G80's porkier 1,805 kilograms (3,979 pounds), the 718 develops a fabulous 493 horsepower and 332 pound-feet (450 Nm) from a motorsport-derived mill. The M3 uses a twin-turbo'd straight-six called S58, for it's based on the B58 of M40i M Performance vehicles.

Its advertised output figures aren't relevant in this particular scenario, in which the mid-engine configuration and low curb weight make a world of difference. The M3, however, is far more affordable. It's also much easier to extract more ponies and torque from that amazing engine, whose regular-production equivalent is touted as the 2JZ of the modern era. The question is, which one floats your boat the most?