Shelby GT500 Drag Races GT-R, AMG GT S For High-Performance Crown

Traction matters.

09:01

Anthony Alaniz

By: Anthony Alaniz

Sep 20, 2022 at 12:58pm ET

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Performance cars come in various configurations today, and a new Sam CarLegion YouTube video races three of them. The Ford Mustang GT500, Nissan GT-R, and Mercedes-AMG GT S are an eclectic collection of high-horsepower machines that are far from equal on the spec sheet, and the video shows how those differences translate to the drag strip.

The GT500 hides a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 under its hood, which delivers 760 horsepower (566 kilowatts) and 625 pound-feet (847 Newton-meters) of torque to the rear wheels. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission sits between the two.

Gallery: 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Heritage Edition

The AMG GT S has a smaller twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 that’s also down on power, churning out 515 hp (384 kW) and 494 lb-ft (669 Nm) of torque. It powers the rear wheels through a seven-speed gearbox. It has one advantage over the high-powered pony – its weight, tipping the scales at 3,627 pounds (1,645 kilograms) compared to the 4,171-lbs (1,891-kg) Ford.

The Nissan GT-R is the happy middle between the two. A twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 powers the Nissan and spins all four wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The engine produces 565 hp (421 kW) and 467 lb-ft (633 Nm) of torque. It weighs 3,915 lbs (1,774 kg).

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The Mustang might have all the power in this competition, but drag racing is about more than that. The launch matters, too, and this is where the Mustang struggled. In both dig races, the Ford was slow off the starting line, leading to two third-place finishes. The GT-R’s all-wheel drive helped it secure two early victories, with the AMG GT S occupying second place.

Eliminate the standing start, and the Mustang shined. It could put more power to the ground instead of fighting for traction, and it accelerated away from the GT-R and GT S, with neither capable of catching up. The second rolling race, with the cars in manual mode, ended with a second Mustang victory. The other two competitors stood no chance, with the GT S finishing in second and the GT-R in third.