Skip advert
Advertisement

Porsche Macan Turbo v BMW M3: drag race

The Porsche Macan takes on the BMW M3 on the drag strip. Which everyday performance car is quicker?

Porsche Macan v BMW M3 – it may not seem like a direct comparison, but their target buyers may be a lot more closely aligned than you think. Both have around 400bhp, come from carmakers rich in heritage and possess five seats and genuinely useable practicality.

The BMW M3 is the saloon sibling to the new M4 coupe. While the old M3 coupe and saloon used a naturally aspirated V8 engine, the new version has downsized, with a twin-turbocharged 3-litre straight-six powering the rear axle. Its peak outputs are 425bhp and 406lb ft, enough to shuffle the M3’s 1523kg from 0-60 in 4.3sec, or 4.1sec if you opt for the seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox fitted to the car in this drag race (a good old six-speed manual is still available).

Advertisement - Article continues below

While ‘M3’ is a badge with huge appeal, ‘Macan’ certainly can’t get close to competing with it. But Porsche’s bigger SUV, the Cayenne, has been a phenomenal success for the company, and a smaller model to battle the Audi Q5 and Range Rover Evoque therefore appears to be a no-brainer for money-making purposes. The good news for us is that this is easily one of the most fun and focused crossover-style models on sale, and while a tall-riding 4x4 may not seem like a natural M3 rival, the mix of performance and practicality it offers is in a very similar vein.

This Macan Turbo, like the M3, uses a twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine, though it’s 3.6 litres in size and a little down on power, with 394bhp, albeit an identical 406lb ft torque figure. The Macan is considerably heavier at 1925kg, making its dash to 60mph half a second slower at 4.8sec, though its 165mph top speed tops the M3’s limited 155mph. But can its four-wheel-drive traction cancel out its performance deficit and hand it drag race victory? The video above reveals all…

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

BMW M3 (E46, 2000 - 2006): review, history and buying guide
BMW M3 E46
Features

BMW M3 (E46, 2000 - 2006): review, history and buying guide

The E46 M3 was BMW M division’s most celebrated model at its zenith. Here's why it's one of our top 25 cars of the past 25 years
11 Mar 2024
BMW M3 (F80) – the car world's greatest misses
BMW M3 F80
Features

BMW M3 (F80) – the car world's greatest misses

It may have looked the part from the off, but the first turbocharged M3 took a while to find its feet
25 Jan 2024
The BMW M3 is going electric in its next generation
BMW M3 teaser
News

The BMW M3 is going electric in its next generation

The next M3 supersaloon is receiving a pure-electric powertrain, but it’s not all bad news…
30 Nov 2023
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8
Mercedes-AMG G63
News

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8

Some of Affalterbach’s range-toppers are swapping eight cylinders for four, but the AMG G-class retains its V8 for 2024
26 Mar 2024
The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?
Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 – front
News

The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?

Our early impressions of the Gen 2 GR Yaris suggest that it’s an improvement in every area that counts, but can it be worth £18k more than an i20 N?
27 Mar 2024
Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader
Land Rover Defender OCTA – front
News

Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader

The OCTA promises to be the fastest, toughest and most capable Defender yet when it launches later this year
26 Mar 2024