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Today’s automatic transmissions are not like the mud boxes of yore. Some people still find it hard to accept that modern automatics can make cars go faster and more efficiently than manual versions. Some automatic cars have gearshift times that manuals can’t match, and having multiple gears allows for more flexible ratios.
But can an automatic car with less power than a manual car stay in a straight line? To answer that question, take a look at the drag race between the six-speed BMW M4 and the self-rotating Lexus RC F. But before we dive into the results, here’s the performance packed coupe under the hood.
On paper, the BMW M4 clearly has an advantage over Lexus. The 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline-six coupe is good for 473 horsepower (353 kilowatts) and 406 pound-feet (550 Newton-meters) of torque. It also has a curb weight of 3,830 lbs (1,737 kg), less than its Japanese rival. However, the longer gear ratio puts it at a disadvantage, and the timing of shifting will depend on the person behind the wheel.
The RC F has a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 that makes 467 horsepower (348 kilowatts) and 389 pound-feet (527 pound-feet) of torque. It’s slightly behind BMW in horsepower and torque, but the weight difference is more substantial. The Lexus is 128 lbs (58 kg) heavier than the BMW, with a curb weight of 3,958 lbs (1,795 kg). Lexus had to rely on the fast-shifting eight-speed automatic to keep up with BMW.
Results? Despite the strength and weight drawbacks, the Lexus does a decent job of keeping up with BMW. There are even times when the RC F gets off track faster than the M4. However, that wasn’t enough for Lexus to get over BMW’s grunts. As soon as the BMW stood up, the Lexus door exploded.
Of course, there will be those who say that auto can’t match manual when it comes to engagement. But that’s an argument that will never be resolved in the drag strip.
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