It's the battle of the manuals.
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.
