In a scientific study, researchers concluded that 100 percent of lion cubs prefer the BMW M6 Gran Coupe to the Ford GT.
Okay, the study wasn’t really scientific and the study population was only one lion cub. But still, it’s hard to argue with the results that were caught on camera.
Qatar is located in Southwest Asia and its only border is with Saudi Arabia. It also has the highest GDP per capita in the world and as we know, there are a lot of rich people who live there. Really, really rich people. Rich enough to buy any car they want—often, many of the most expensive cars in the world. They are also rich enough that they don’t need to have common sense—or any sense—to survive.
That’s the only possible explanation for the trend among some residents of Qatar to buy exotic animals as house pets. Large, carnivorous, and lethal exotic animals. Like lions. We think that’s a very stupid thing to do; not safe for the humans and not fair to the big cats, but that’s what they do in Qatar.
Having said that, we couldn’t help but notice a YouTube video in which a young lion cub is offered two very nice cars on which to prowl and relax: a Ford GT, which was modeled after one of the prettiest and most successful Le Mans racers ever made; and the BMW M6 Gran Coupe, BMW’s top-of-the-line GT cruiser.
Going only by what was on the video, it appears that Kiara, the lion club, clearly preferred to spend the most time on the M6. As much as we like the looks of the Ford, we would have made the same choice.
The Ford’s technology is a little dated, having been introduced in 2005. It’s supercharged 5.4-liter V8 cranks out 550 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque, and can push the 3,350-pound car from zero to 60 in 3.5 seconds. The Ford GT tops out at an electronically limited 205 miles per hour.
The M6 Gran Coupe uses a smaller turbocharged V8 at 4.4 liters, which produces 560 horsepower and 501 pound-feet of torque. At 4.2 seconds, the M6 is slower than the GT to 60 mph, but then again, it’s also 1,000 pounds heavier. The M6’s top speed is limited to 155 mph, but without the limiter, it is probably a 200 mph car. In addition, it has two more seats and two more doors than the Ford. Maybe that’s an attractive feature to young lions.
Perhaps when Ford’s replacement for the GT comes out next year, there can be a rematch for Kiara’s affection. If the next-generation Ford GT is bigger than the original, that’s okay. Kiara will be bigger, too. And much more lethal.—Scott Blazey
[Photo and video courtesy of dlightswitch.]
