Audi has no shortage of performance vehicles. They cover a wide swath of the market and include the bite-sized RS3 and the big, luxurious S8. The latest Carwow video pits the two in a series of drag races to see how their differences shake up on the track.
Supporting the Audi S8 is the brand’s 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8. The engine produces 571 hp (425 kW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque, far more than the RS3. It weighs 4,850 pounds (2,220 kilograms) and has all-wheel drive.
76 Photo
The RS3 has fewer three cylinders than the S8, packing a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine. It produces 400 horsepower (298 kilowatts) and 368 pound-feet (500 Newton-meters) of torque, which is sent via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox to all four wheels. The transmission has launch control for the 3,472 pound (1,575 kilogram) sedan, as does the S8 which features an eight-speed automatic.
The two lined up for their first race, and they got off to an equal start, with the RS3 carving out an early lead. The heavier but more powerful S8 started to roll over it, but ran out of asphalt, crossing the finish line behind the smaller RS3. However, things changed with the second race as the S8 got a better start. The S8 was able to keep the RS3 behind and secure its first win. The same thing happened with the third and final race. The big Audi finished the quarter mile in 11.8 seconds, while the RS3 took 12.1 seconds to complete.
The two rolling racers further cemented the S8’s dominance in the competition, easily beating the RS3 in both fights. The S8 hasn’t finished with its surprises yet, as it was also able to win the brake test, somehow stopping at a shorter distance than the RS3.
The Audi S8 is about twice the price of the RS3, but the difference is noticeable on the track. That’s not always the case in this video, but the S8 has no trouble dominating the smaller RS3. However, the difference is not big.
