Shelby GT500 Drag Races BMW M8 Competition, Polestar 1 With Surprising Results

The Blue Oval claims 10.7 seconds are enough for the quarter-mile run, but as you already know, “consistency” doesn’t define this fellow. Motor1 had the opportunity to test the 760-horsepower muscle car against the two unlikely competitors, and on the first try, the Polestar 1 loses to the Shelby GT500.

That’s pretty surprising given the 737 pound-feet of torque of the Swedish grand tourer, but then again, don’t forget that internal combustion leaves much to be desired. Four cylinders, a turbocharger, and a supercharger sound impressive at first glance, but as the speed grows higher and the traction gets better, the Predator V8 in the Mustang shows off its mettle.

Versus the BMW M8 Competition, the tables turn in the Bavarian contender’s favor. Off the line, at the halfway point, and across the quarter-mile run, the twin-turbo V8 coupe simply decimates the Mustang thanks to a well-sorted AWD system even though the Shelby is just a little bit lighter.

From a 20-mph roll, the Bimmer hooks pretty well but can’t hold a candle to the Shelby GT500 across the finish line. The Ford won by a nose thanks to at least 537 pound-feet of torque between 3,000 and 7,500 rpm while the M8 Competition peaks at 553 pound-feet from 1,800 to 5,800 rpm.

Motor1 signs off by mentioning “three fantastic drag-racing cars” that bring something unique to the table. From instant torque delivery to advanced launch control to brute force, “each one is supremely fast in a straight line.”

The heaviest of the lot at 5,170 pounds (2,345 kilograms), the Polestar 1 costs a whopping $155,000 in U.S. specification. The BMW M8 Competition will set you back $146,000 before options, and the ‘Stang may very well be considered a bargain at $72,900 excluding freight and taxes.