BMW’s latest M cars for now are the M3 and M4 duo. They are currently out for blood and trying to prove themselves on every possible test, including the drag strip. They might not be traditionally drag strip kings but everyone is wondering how they’d do on it.
Early reports claimed that the M4 is capable of doing the quarter mile run in 12.1 seconds trapping a speed of around 120 mph (193 km/h). However, various tests showed different results.
People have been taking their cars to the track and trying to get the best possible times they could. In standard guise, most times sit around the 12 second barrier with some independent runs claiming as little as 11.82 seconds with a speed of 122.3 mph (197 km/h).
For the standard model that isn’t bad at all. However, things can get better. The guys from TPG Tuning got their brand new car down to the drag strip to see how it manages with their parts on it.
By ‘their parts’ we mean a custom exhaust that they have been working on ever since they took delivery of the car. Other changes done to the M4 include a JB4 tune and special tires from Mickey Thompson that are supposed to be super sticky in drag races.
Ok, ok, what was the time?
The result? 11.18 seconds with a trap speed of 123.56 mph (200 km/h). It might seem like nothing now but keep in mind that their car is still refusing to allow them to use launch control as it has only 540 miles (869 km) on the clock. Until they hit 1,200 miles (1,932 km) that won’t be possible.
However, considering the huge amount of torque that goes to the rear wheels (according to TPG’s measurements - around 500 lb-ft, which is around what the 4.4-liter V8 on the M5 makes), things should be drastically improved by the launch control sequence. Therefore, we could see the time drop down in the 10-second range.
To put things in perspective we’ll tell you a couple of other quarter mile times:
- Hennessey Jaguar F-Type R (623 HP) - 11.4 seconds/126 mph
- Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat (707 HP) - 11.2 seconds (on standard tires)
- Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray (460 HP) - 11.7 seconds/119 mph
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