This matchup organized by the folks from Sam CarLegion on YouTube pits BMW’s all-wheel-drive M4 Competition xDrive Convertible against Chevrolet’s hybrid, all-wheel-drive Corvette E-Ray.
Before racing, the Corvette brings 6.2 liters of naturally aspirated V8 power assisted by an electric front axle for a combined 655 horsepower and 595 lb-ft at 3,874 pounds. The BMW uses a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six making a quoted 523 horsepower and 479 lb-ft at 4,256 pounds, though in practice it feels stronger than advertised.
In the roll race, the E-Ray immediately pulls ahead. Its hybrid front axle hooks up instantly, and the M4 can’t stay close. In the standing-start drag race, the Corvette’s launch control and instant electric shove create an even bigger gap. The E-Ray is decisively quicker both from a roll and from a dig.
On track, the E-Ray delivers instant front-end pull from its electric motor and huge traction from its rear tires. The added hybrid weight doesn’t hurt its balance, and the carbon-ceramic brakes are essential for repeated hard stops. The electric system fills power immediately, making the car feel like an EV with a V8 behind it. It can run quietly on four cylinders when cruising, but under load the full 655 horsepower hits at once.
Switching to the M4, the BMW feels lighter and more direct, surprising for a convertible. The S58 engine clearly produces more than its rated output, the chassis stays composed, and the standard performance brakes are strong even without carbon ceramics. It drives more like a track coupe than a soft-top.
