Manual transmissions are becoming increasingly rare in today’s automotive landscape, especially in high-performance sports cars. Many manufacturers have shifted to automatic and dual-clutch transmissions for efficiency and speed, leaving enthusiasts with fewer options. However, some brands still cater to purists who love the engagement and control of a manual gearbox.
In an attempt to save the manuals, Sam CarLegion on YouTube is back with another drag race between a 2020 Ford Mustang GT350R and a 2025 BMW M3 LCI. These are two incredible cars, both equipped with manual transmissions.
The Mustang GT350R packs a naturally aspirated 5.2L V8, pushing out 526 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. It’s also rear-wheel drive but slightly lighter at 3,717 lbs. The Shelby’s exhaust note is special, setting it apart from anything else on the road. The M3, on the other hand, comes with a 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six, producing 473 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. It’s rear-wheel drive and weighs in at 3,798 lbs.
The result? Well, at lower speeds, both cars were evenly matched, but as speeds increased, the high-revving GT350R pulled ahead, especially in a 50-mph rolling race. From a standstill, the Mustang consistently put its power down more effectively, taking the win every time.
According to the test, the GT350R completed the quarter-mile in 12.2 seconds, compared to the M3’s 12.7 seconds. The Mustang also clocked a 0-60 mph time of 4.0 seconds, beating the M3’s 4.3 seconds—a strong result for a manual car.
