Ultimate Quarter-Mile Showdown: BMW M440i, C43, Audi S4, and Kia Stinger GT Battle for Supremacy
Mercedes Benz C43 AMG. Drag and Roll Race.">Photo: Sam CarLegion on YouTube
Performance car enthusiasts, rejoice! Sam CarLegion has recently orchestrated an electrifying drag and roll race featuring four exceptional six-cylinder titans: the BMW M440i, Mercedes-Benz C43, Audi S4, and Kia Stinger GT. Each of these marvels extends the promise of shattering the quarter-mile mark in just around 12 seconds, providing a nail-biting spectacle for gearheads everywhere.
The Contestants
The battle features three meticulous German engineers and one brave South Korean contender. The Kia Stinger GT, doused in a lustrous white coat, is the heftiest at 4,179 pounds and sports the largest engine of the pack—a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6. This powerhouse churns out 368 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque, making it impressively muscular yet disadvantaged in the weight department.
On the other side, we have the Audi S4, a more svelte competitor at 3,847 pounds. It is equipped with a 3.0-liter single-turbo V6, capable of producing 349 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Notably, this engine is a derivative of the performance-oriented 2.9-liter TFSI V6 found in the RS 4 and RS5, albeit with a tamer configuration.
Heavyweight Contenders
The next in line is the previous-generation Mercedes-Benz C43. This version stands as a reminder of the times when Mercedes embraced the twin-turbo V6, instead of today's inline-four turbo. Initially sold as the C 450 4MATIC AMG Sport, this iteration eventually matured into the C43, boasting a vigorous 385 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque.
Comparatively, the BMW M440i might wear a different guise from its M340i sibling, but don't be deceived—it’s the same under the hood. The M440i's B58 engine pushes out 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Not only does it tip the scales at 3,902 pounds, making it slightly heavier than the Merc, but it also has a reputation of understating its true power.
Quarter-Mile Results
In this captivating quarter-mile decimation, the BMW shone brightly, clocking a time of 12.5 seconds, edging out the C43 by a mere tenth with its 12.6-second run. The Audi S4 also posted an identical 12.5 seconds for the quarter-mile, making it a true neck-and-neck battle. Unfortunately, the Kia Stinger GT lagged behind, finishing the scurry in 13.4 seconds.
The 0 to 60 mph times further highlight the BMW's supremacy, hitting the mark in just 3.9 seconds. The Mercedes clocked 4.1 seconds, in lockstep with the Audi S4, while the Stinger GT brought up the rear at 4.7 seconds.
The Rolling Start
Switching gears to the rolling start, the results took a dramatic twist. The BMW M440i left both the Kia Stinger GT and Audi S4 eating its dust. Yet, the Mercedes-Benz C43 upset the Bavarian behemoth, showing better acceleration from 37 and 50 miles per hour speeds. It sparks a perplexing question: does the current-gen C43 with its hybridized inline-four have a chance against the reigning M340i?
For more high-octane comparisons and to see these machines in action, check out the full video by Sam CarLegion on YouTube. One thing's for sure—whether you're a fan of German precision or South Korean ingenuity, each of these vehicles packs a punch that will always keep you guessing.