The BMW M3 Competition xDrive boasts superior acceleration on paper compared to both the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance and the Nissan Skyline NISMO, achieving quicker zero to 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour) times.
However, real-world testing showed that actual performance didn’t quite match the advertised figures. Nonetheless, the BMW outperformed its Japanese counterparts.
Starting with the Nissan Skyline NISMO, tests conducted by Start Your Engines involved running each car twice from zero to 100 kilometers per hour, first in regular mode and then in sport mode.
The Skyline NISMO recorded an average acceleration of 0.53 Gs and took 5.28 seconds in standard mode, slightly slower than the 5.30 seconds achieved in sport mode.
Internally known as V37, the Nissan Skyline features a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine, delivering 420 ps and 550 Nm of torque. Despite its power, it fell short in comparison to its competitors.
Next, in both regular and sports modes, the BMW M3 Competition xDrive reached a zero to hundred kilometers per hour time of 4.48 seconds and 4.01 seconds, respectively, with an average acceleration of 0.66 Gs. Although BMW states that the all-wheel-drive variant will perform faster, actual testing revealed a little slower pace.
Lastly, the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance, equipped with a free-breathing V8 engine, demonstrated slower acceleration compared to its rivals, recording 0.53 Gs on average. It took 5.33 seconds in normal mode and 5.32 seconds in sport mode to reach 100 kilometers per hour.
Despite its slower performance, the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance stands out with its unique naturally aspirated V8 engine, offering a distinctive driving experience in the D-segment sports sedan category.
