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BMW M3 Competition And Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm Driven Back To Back
BMW M3 Competition takes on the hardcore Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio GTAm around a track. Which will prevail?
by Dim Angelov, onCarwow has been synonymous with staging some of the most exciting drag races, more often than not, between stock, production cars. However, the same YouTube channel, occasionally gives us a proper comparison between two high-performance vehicles – in this case, the new BMW M3 Competition and Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio GTAm.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio GTAm
While, on paper, the two cars are similar, the Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm is clearly the more track-focused of the two. Compared to the standard Alfa Romeo Giulia QV, the GTAm has the same 443 pound-feet (600 Nm), but more power – 540 instead of 503 horsepower, from the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6. It also has a wider track, upgraded suspension, carbon-ceramic brakes, and adjustable aero.
The GTAm also weighs less – 3,351 pounds (1,520 kg) versus the normal car’s 3,686 pounds (1,672 kg). It also has a roll cage instead of rear seats, because racecar. Like the standard QV, the GTAm sends power to the rear wheels through a ZF, eight-speed automatic. The price for Britain - £150,000 or the equivalent of $198,520.
BMW M3 Competition
The BMW M3 is now in its sixth generation, dubbed the G80. Unlike the Giulia GTAm, the M3 is not a full-on track car. It’s more subtle and lacks Alfa’s crazy aero. It also kept its rear seats, so it’s a proper family car. This additional practicality comes at a price – the M3 weighs 3,814 pounds (1,730 kg). However, it more than makes up with grunt. The 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine makes 510 horsepower and 479 pound-feet (650 Nm).
The M3 Competition would cost you £75,000, in UK money. This one, with the optional carbon-back bucket seats - £85,000. This particular one is rear-wheel-drive only, just like the Alfa. The BMW also features a version of the same ZF, eight-speed automatic that’s in the Alfa.
What Are The Lap Times?
Forget drag racing. The real test for a performance car is a hot lap around a technical circuit – something Matt does with both cars. First up is the Alfa Romeo Giulia QV GTAm. It has the weight and power advantage, but slightly less torque. According to Watson, the Alfa feels like a proper racing car. He gave it its all and even hit the rev-limiter, which may have affected the lap time. In the end, the track-focused Giulia GTAm managed a time of 47.6 seconds.
The BMW M3 Competition might prove to be a hidden talent, despite lacking the aggressive aero. The M3 was slightly less composed and wanted to kick the back end out, on most corners. With that said, the heavier BMW still performed admirably, finishing the lap with a time of 48.1 seconds – just 0.5 seconds slower than the much lighter, more powerful, track-focused Alfa Romeo, which also costs twice as much.
What Are The Acceleration Times?
After finishing the hot laps, both cars perform acceleration tests. This time, the BMW goes first. Matt manages to activate the launch control, which results in the rear-wheel-drive M3 reaching from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.16 seconds, 0 to 100 mph (161 km/h) in 8.47 seconds, and stop from 100 mph in 4.18 seconds, at 285 feet (87 meters).
Next up – the Giulia Quadrifoglio GTAm. The Italian sedan actually takes 4.24 seconds to 60 mph (97 km/h), but makes up after, with a 0 to 100 mph in 8.28 seconds. Braking from 100 mph takes 4.28 seconds and 285 feet (87 meters).
Both vehicles are quite evenly matches. The BMW represents the ultimate, compact performance sedan that’s also usable, while the Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm is a future collectable, based on the first rear-wheel-drive Alfa Romeo sedan, in 30 years.
