BMW M4 Competition Races Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, It's Not Exactly Close

Pictured on the Edmunds U-Drags track with Pirelli rubber as opposed to Michelin for the German challenger, the Italian model relies on a turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 derived from a Ferrari-developed V8. Similar to the Bimmer, said engine is connected to a ubiquitous eight-speed automatic known as the ZF 8HP.

Equipped with steel brakes rather than optional carbon-ceramic units for the inline-six M4 Competition, the Alfa disappoints in terms of weight. As tested, the folks at Edmunds report 3,828 pounds (1,736 kilograms) compared to 3,786 (1,717).

While it's not as exaggerated as the curb weight of the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E PERFORMANCE, said figure will be felt in the corners, which brings us to the U-Drags format. It all starts with a good ol' quarter-mile dig, followed by a hard braking zone in preparation for a 180-degree turn, followed by a sprint back to the start/finish line.

Considering that hard braking and cornering is on the menu, we should also talk about tire dimensions, with the Giulia Quadrifoglio rocking 245/35 and 285/30 by 19-inch rubber versus 275/35 by 19- and 285/30 by 20-inch tires for the M4 Competition. We should further highlight that the Alfa doesn't have launch control while BMW boasts one of the best calibrated systems in the biz.

There's also the matter of weight and power, with the Italian model rated at 7.58 pounds for every mechanical horsepower as opposed to 7.53 for the Bimmer. Had it been an M3 rather than its coupe-bodied sib, the weight-to-power ratio would've been a bit closer.

Over the course of two U-drag races at 90.7 degrees Fahrenheit (32.6 centigrade) and 31.1 percent relative humidity, the Giulia Quadrifoglio topped 4.3 seconds to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) as opposed to a stupidly impressive 3.8 for the M4 Competition. The difference in quarter-mile ETs also happens to be astonishing: 12.3 seconds at 117.7 miles per hour (189.4 kilometers per hour) and 11.7 seconds at 123.0 mph (197.9 kph), respectively.

Although it's more squirrely under braking, the vee-six sedan pulled 1.13 Gs in the hairpin turn versus a best of 1.11 Gs for the M4 Competition. Back over the start/finish line, the difference in time and speed certainly speaks volumes: 35.5 at 127.6 (205.3) and 33.9 at 132.7 (213.5), respectively.

The question is, what did you expect from a performance sedan that will celebrate its 10th anniversary in June 2025? Looking at the glass half full, remember that the Giulia Quadrifoglio was engineered by a team led by ex-Ferrari man Philippe Krief, who is now Renault Group chief technology officer and chief exec for the Alpine brand.