2025 BMW M3 Challenges Mustang Shelby GT350R in Drag Race
Amid growing concerns about the future of manual transmissions, an unlikely matchup between the new 2025 BMW M3 sedan and the venerable Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R coupe has sparked renewed excitement among automotive enthusiasts.
In an era dominated by automatic transmissions and electric vehicles, three-pedal cars remain cherished by drivers seeking an engaging driving experience. The BMW M3 and Mustang Shelby GT350R both offer manual transmissions, representing two distinct yet beloved approaches to performance: refined German engineering versus raw American muscle.
To celebrate this shared passion for manual gearboxes, automotive YouTuber Sam, known from the channel "Sam CarLegion," recently arranged a drag-and-roll race showdown between the two. On paper, the contest might seem uneven: BMW's M3 packs a twin-turbocharged inline-six rated at 473 horsepower, while Ford's Shelby GT350R brings a naturally aspirated V8 boasting 526 horsepower.
The races commenced with rolling starts. At 37 mph, the Shelby Mustang narrowly edged out the BMW M3, highlighting the close competition between the two vehicles. At 49 mph, however, the GT350R's higher horsepower and larger displacement secured a clearer victory, demonstrating the timeless adage: "There's no replacement for displacement."
In the standing-start quarter-mile races, driver skill played a significant role. Despite the M3's advanced engineering and precise handling, the Mustang GT350R leveraged its power advantage and visceral performance to win decisively. The Mustang reached 60 mph in 4.0 seconds, compared to the M3's 4.3 seconds. It completed the quarter-mile in 12.2 seconds, while the M3 trailed at 12.7 seconds.
This matchup underscores why manual transmissions continue to captivate driving enthusiasts, even as manufacturers shift towards automatic and electrified drivetrains. Both cars offered exhilarating experiences, proving that for passionate drivers, the allure of a stick shift remains as strong as ever.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
an hour ago
- Business Insider
Ford Stock (NYSE:F) Slides, the 2026 Mustang Avoids Price Hikes
Shareholders proved oddly unhappy about a bit of news from legacy automaker Ford (F). This should have been welcome, but somehow, was not. The 2026 Mustang will be avoiding any big price hikes, which should keep it more accessible to drivers. Shareholders must have felt it a missed opportunity for revenue, as they sent shares sliding down nearly 1.5% in Monday afternoon's trading. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Not only will the 2026 Mustang avoid any big price hikes, reports noted, but there will be very little in the way of price increase at all. Most 2026 Mustang configurations will have the same prices that they had in 2025. Though this will not be the case for all versions; in fact, the reports noted that the 2025 versions could actually be around $2,500 cheaper than the 2026 models based on the application of certain incentives. In fact, the base model 2026 Mustang will cost just $400 more than the 2025 version. Further, the base model is the only model of Mustang that sees an actual price hike. In fact, the 2026 Mustang EcoBoost Premium is actually $1,200 lower than it was in 2025. But there is one key difference: Ford apparently decided to make up the price difference on options. The 2026 Mustang no longer includes, as a standard, a Magnesium Framed Curved Glass Display. That is now an option for an extra $1,000. The Ranger Splash? We also know that Ford's 'No Boring Cars' campaign is still alive and well. But there may be one point that Ford is overlooking in pursuit of this, one report noted. Ford's dedication to removing the boring car could be extended to include trucks, and a previously-canceled line could be due for a comeback: the Ranger Splash. The report suggested that it was time for something comparatively new in trucks, not just '…another towering double-cab monstrosity.' Indeed, the report called for 'something fun,' like the Ranger Splash, regarded by some as '…Ford's forgotten party truck.' Original marketing for the Ranger Splash noted its target market: '…a typical Splash buyer will be young, single, with an on-the-go lifestyle.' Sounds just like what No Boring Cars Ford needs right now. The Splash did get a comeback of sorts in 2022, however, though more as a color scheme than as an actual vehicle. Is Ford Stock a Good Buy Right Now? Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Hold consensus rating on F stock based on two Buys, 12 Holds and three Sells assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. After a 4.18% rally in its share price over the past year, the average F price target of $10.14 per share implies 10.23% downside risk.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Trump's trade deal with the EU: What it means for your wallet
Tariffs, including the new 15% rate for most imports from the EU, would raise consumer prices by 1.8% in the short run, according to the Yale Budget Lab. Here's where shoppers could see higher prices. Imported cars, pharmaceuticals, apparel and more could grow more expensive in the months to come as the United States imposes a 15% tariff on most imports from the European Union. Analysts have labeled the agreement, announced July 27, as a win for President Donald Trump, whose administration had been working to complete deals by a self-imposed Aug. 1 deadline. U.S. stocks opened mostly higher on July 28, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq reaching record highs after Trump announced a tariff far below the 30% rate threatened earlier in the month. But for U.S. consumers, even the reduced tariff is expected to spur higher prices. The Yale Budget Lab estimates that Trump's tariffs, including the new rate for EU imports, would raise prices by 1.8% in the short run, the equivalent of an average household income loss of roughly $2,400. While the increase may sound insignificant, 'the Federal Reserve's inflation target is 2%. So we're talking about almost a year's worth of inflation above and beyond the inflation that we would've gotten anyways,' said Ernie Tedeschi, director of economics at the Yale Budget Lab. 'So that's meaningful.' Here are some of the sectors that could see higher prices in the months to come. European cars Automobiles, one of the EU's largest export sectors, will likely see some of the most noticeable price hikes, according to Gary Hufbauer, a nonresident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. While the 15% tariff is a relief from the current 27.5% rate, Hufbauer said the auto industry's margins are thin enough that EU companies won't want to absorb the higher cost. 'I suspect European auto prices sold in the U.S. will go up probably at least 10%,' he told USA TODAY. German Association of the Automotive Industry President Hildegard Müller warned the 15% tariff could cost the German automotive industry 'billions annually.' Already, Volkswagen has trimmed its full-year sales forecast after reporting a $1.5 billion hit from tariffs over the first half of the year. Automobile price hikes will likely vary across European makes and models, according to Tedeschi, since many already operate factories in North America. That means trade deals with Canada and Mexico could also influence pricing. 'Consumers should keep an eye out for rising prices for European car imports, but they should not assume that all European brands are going to go up in price because of how complicated the supply chain is,' he said, adding that he expects to see price increases tied to the new EU tariffs play out this summer and fall. What were the EU tariffs before? What to know after trade deal Furniture Furniture is another sector that could get hit by tariffs, according to Stephen Brown, Capital Economics' deputy chief North America economist. The Swedish company IKEA, for instance, relies on China, Poland, Italy, Germany and Sweden to supply 'the majority' of products, according to its website. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Inter IKEA ‒ which produces IKEA furniture ‒ told Reuters in November that just 10% of the products it sells in the U.S. are made in the region. 'Unless they find somewhere else to import from or move around their supply chain, furniture prices ... could see some effects,' Brown said. Pharmaceuticals While certain sectors like wine and spirits appear to still be under negotiation, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said pharmaceuticals will be covered by the 15% tariff, with certain generic drugs not subject to tariffs. The EU is behind about 60% of pharmaceutical imports to the U.S., according to Reuters, making them the largest European export to the U.S. by value. But Brown noted that pharmaceutical companies may be able to more easily shift production to the U.S. compared to other industries. For instance, the Danish manufacturer behind the GLP-1s Wegovy and Ozempic, Novo Nordisk, already has a presence in North Carolina and has plans to expand. 'Although there could be some short-term price increases, those might not be as durable as they are for other products,' Brown said. Additionally, consumers may not pick up on the industry's price hikes if their insurance covers the imported drug. Luxury items Luxury items like imported designer handbags and apparel could also see higher prices, as well as imported food. 'The difference between China and Europe, in terms of tariffs, is that the tariffs on China increase what people buy in Walmart and Target. The tariffs on European imports will mainly hit what people buy at Whole Foods and high-end retail stores,' said Hufbauer of the Peterson Institute for International Economics. He noted that the companies behind luxury goods tend to have higher margins, though, and may be more willing to absorb some of the higher costs tied to tariffs. Machinery Machinery and appliances are also major exports from the EU, accounting for roughly 20% of U.S. imports from the EU in 2021, according to the Commerce Department. While consumers won't buy machinery directly, experts warn the higher prices could eventually trickle down as manufacturers adjust to higher costs. 'These are not necessarily products that immediately or directly impact the consumers, but they can indirectly affect consumers, especially after many years,' Tedeschi said.
Motor 1
an hour ago
- Motor 1
‘It Was Cheaper Than if You Bought It Normally:' Woman Says Everyone Always Asks About Her Car. She Got It Off Amazon
A woman went viral on TikTok after revealing her favorite fun fact: She bought her car on Amazon. Reina Johnson (@reinakjohnson) said she started car shopping at dealerships but quickly lost patience. So, she went online, where the process felt more like browsing for clothes than haggling for a vehicle. 'When someone asks about my car, and I get to bring up my favorite fun fact. That I bought it on Amazon,' she said in a now-viral clip, clearly thrilled with the deal. What made it even better, she said, was how easy it was—especially if you're not fixated on a specific make or model. As of this writing, the video had pulled in more than 161,000 views. Wait, You Can Buy a Car On Amazon? Johnson said she used a beta program called Amazon Autos , which she found after Googling 'cars for sale.' She compared the whole thing to ordering clothes online. 'They do have BMWs, Hyundais,' she said, later telling Motor1 she ended up buying a Hyundai Kona SEL. After submitting her budget, Amazon showed her a selection of vehicles from nearby dealerships. She picked one and picked it up directly from the lot. The best part, she said, is that the price listed was exactly what she paid—no surprises at the dealership. She didn't share the total cost but said the Amazon price beat what the dealership had originally quoted. 'The car was actually cheaper on Amazon than it was if I [had] gone into a dealership,' Johnson said in a follow-up video , calling it the 'best car buying experience.' What Is Amazon Autos? Amazon isn't selling the cars itself; it's more like a middleman . The platform, which launched in December 2024, is a partnership between Amazon and select local Hyundai dealerships that lets you browse, finance, and even lease a car online through You handle everything digitally, then pick up the car from the dealership. Every listing on Amazon Autos is for a specific vehicle—so what you see is what you get, just like scrolling through actual dealership inventory. The price you see online is also what you'll pay at pickup, as Johnson explained, with taxes and fees included. You can also apply for financing, check lease options, or get a trade-in estimate—all through Amazon. The paperwork happens online, too. While the dealerships still handle the actual sale, Amazon's platform is where it all starts. Speaking to Motor1 , Johnson said she would 'absolutely recommend' Amazon Autos to other buyers. 'It was so convenient and hassle-free,' she said. 'I didn't have to deal with any dealership fees. It works just like shopping on Amazon. You just select things like APR and monthly payments, just like you would customize any other order. Then, I just picked it up from a local dealership a couple of days later.' Viewers Notice Issues with Amazon Autos While Johnson seemed thrilled with her experience, not everyone was sold. Some viewers flagged what they saw as glitches or limitations in Amazon's car-buying setup—starting with the fact that it's currently Hyundai-only. 'Why am I only seeing Hyundais?' one woman asked. 'Keep in mind, they only offer 2025 Hyundais right now,' another replied. One person said they couldn't find any cars at all. 'When I search that up, it just shows car accessories,' they wrote. Still, not everyone was deterred. A handful of commenters sounded curious—maybe even ready to try Amazon Autos themselves. 'Where and how much,' one user asked. 'They do credit checks?? Do you have to wait to get approved?' said another. 'Or do you just pay the down payment and go pick it up?' 'My only question is how much was the outrageous shipping price?' joked a third. To this, Johnson replied: 'You pick it up from a local dealership! It was cheaper than if you bought it normally. The dealership couldn't come within $3,000 of the deal I got on Amazon.' Now Trending 'Around $9,500:' Audi's Oil Light Keeps Flickering at Stoplights. Then a Mechanic Reveals the Shocking Reason Why Woman Takes Hyundai to Dealership When it Burns Too Much Oil. Then She Asks For a 'Goodwill' Replacement Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
