Lexus LC 500 Takes On BMW M850i, Challenger SRT Hellcat In Drag Race

Natural Power

Times are certainly changing in the automotive world, with automakers shifting away from naturally-aspirated V8, V10, and even V12 powerplants in favor of smaller displacement engines with fewer cylinders and turbochargers to make power. While we could argue the pros and cons of each for some time, suffice to say, we love our N/A V8s around these parts, and that's why we're digging this drag race featuring a Lexus LC 500, BMW M850i, and Challenger SRT Hellcat from the folks behind the Sam CarLegion YouTube channel.

Old Fashioned

As most Lexus fans are already aware, the LC 500 is a stylish coupe powered by a good old-fashioned naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 churning out 471 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. That power flows through a 10-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels, as nature intended, but this is more of a grand touring machine - not a drag racer.

Bimmer Foe

In the other lane (or one of them, at least), we have the BMW M850i, which features a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 making 532 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, driving all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. 

American Muscle

Finally, we have the non-luxurious Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, which uses a very American supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 to make 717 horsepower and 656 pound-feet of torque, which flows to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Interestingly, all of these cars weigh about the same, tipping the scales at around 4,000 pounds.

Off the Line

Perhaps unsurprisingly, in the first race between this trio, the BMW gets off the line more quickly than the other two, likely due to the superior traction provided by its all-wheel-drive system. It goes on to take a decisive victory, while the Lexus gives up its early advantage to the Charger once it gains traction.

Different Race, Same Results

The second race is more of the same, with the BMW proving to be a rocket ship, even if it isn't the most powerful vehicle in this fight. In fact, the gap is even larger this time around by the time each crosses the finish line. Nothing changes when the trio roll races either, though the BMW's advantage dissipates just a tad.

Unsurprising Result?

The only thing that changes these results is when the trio tries a 50 mph roll race, in which the Challenger finally shows off its horsepower advantage by taking a singular win. Ultimately, the most surprising thing here is just how incredibly quick the BMW is off the line, but at the end of the day, we never expected the less-powerful LC 500 to beat out these particular rivals.

>>Join the conversation about this drag race right here at ClubLexus.com.

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