Nevermind the Southern Californian landscape, we're more interested in is the epic battle between David and Goliath. We're rooting for Goliath. Images: Edmunds

In the latest case of comparing apples and oranges, we bring to you the face-off event of the year; the BMW 1 M-Series versus the Inaugural Edition Challenger SRT8 392. Yes, really. But don’t be too surprised, as they’re both only being built for 2011, both are only limited to 1,000 or so copies, and both sport coupes cost roughly $50k.

Now while this story has been floating around the interwebz for a little over a month, we still felt compelled to share it with you, via our friends over at CarDomain and Edmunds. While these cars share little else in common other than the aforementioned trivia facts, the similarities end there.

Our favorite, the Challenger, packs a 6.4L 470hp punch under its throwback-style hood, and weighs in over 4200lbs, thanks to its full-size LX undercarriage. The Bimmer on the other hand, weighs in at 3300lbs (a lot really, considering it’s about the same size as a mosquito), and is powered by the same mid-range, 3-series N54 engine found in the BMW 335is, the twin-turbo 3.5L Inline-6 with 335hp. [We apologize for the number of 3’s and 5’s in that last sentence. It’s purely BMW’s fault.]

This all adds up for a 0-60mph time of 4.5 seconds for the 1M, and a sprint of 4.7 for the SRT8. However, the 1320 rang in at a 12.9 for both cars, with the Dodge outgunning the BMW with a higher trap-speed of 111mph, as opposed to the 107.7 for Bavaria’s finest. This was the result of the 135hp advantage the SRT8 has over the 1M, clearly. Now where most skeptics of American cars would point out the HEMI Challenger’s straightline speed as its only vise against the 1-series, they would be shocked to learn that these re-engineered Challengers can handle too! Although the BMW outshined the Dodge in the corners and in braking comparisons, it only did it just.

Both vehicles cater to completely different markets; the Challenger appeals to people like us –red-blooded Americans who enjoy rock n’ roll, steak, and the sound of a healthy V8. The BMW, well, we imagine it will be purchased by people like hair-dressers and your metro-sexual brother. Regardless, the American and the German both offer a lot of refinement and performance for a reasonable amount of money –something the Japanese and Koreans have yet to accomplish.