[Video] BMW M440d Drag Races Volkswagen Golf 8 R

The Volkswagen Golf and the BMW 4 Series are by no means direct rivals. This is especially true in the case of these two models. The R hot hatch from Wolfsburg and the M440d coupe from Bavaria face each other in this unexpected drag race. They competed against one another in a series of drag and rolling races. This is also followed by a brake test, despite being two entirely different cars.

Since the M440d presents a performance diesel vehicle, it is a niche model. Its uniqueness is further increased by the fact that it is a coupe. It also complies with BMW’s “Power of Choice” approach by appealing to many buyers. It has an inline-six 3.0-litre mild hybrid engine that uses “Devil’s fuel” to generate 340 horsepower and a respectable 700 Newton-meters (516 pound-feet) of torque.

The VW Golf R, on the other hand, is the prototypical AWD compact performance hatchback. A 2.0-litre gasoline engine with 320 horsepower and 420 Nm is installed inside (309 lb-ft). Some might be tempted to claim that the Volkswagen doesn’t stand a chance based merely on its outputs. However, the BMW is around 350 kilograms (772 pounds) heavier than the Isetta, resulting in a significant weight disparity between the two.

The race results are close because both German automakers claim their vehicles take 4.7 seconds to accelerate from a stop to 62 mph (100 km/h). The M440d was faster initially due to its powerful torque. However, the lighter Golf R was able to catch up, proving that the two were evenly matched. As a result, the VW was faster to the finish line thanks to a flawless start.

Three passengers boarded the Golf R, adding a combined weight of 217 kg to help overcome the stark weight disparity (478 lbs). The extra weight significantly hindered performance, as expected, and the M440d won with ease. Given how much extra fat the 4er was dragging around, the VW did manage to get revenge in the brake test by stopping significantly sooner than the BMW.