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. Carwow’s latest video pits the two against each other in a series of drag races to see how their differences play out on the track.
The Audi S8 is powered by the brand’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. The engine develops 571 hp (425 kW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque, much more than the RS3. It weighs 4,850 pounds (2,220 kilograms) and has all-wheel drive.
76 Pictures
The RS3 has three fewer cylinders than the S8, packing a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine. It produces 400 horsepower (298 kilowatts) and 368 pound-feet (500 Newton-meters) of torque, which it sends through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to all four wheels. The transmission has launch control for the 3,472-pound (1,575-kilogram) sedan, as does the S8 which has an eight-speed automatic.
The two line up for their first race, and they get an equal start on the line, with the RS3 quickly taking the lead. The heavier but more powerful S8 starts to roll it up, but it misses the asphalt, crossing the finish line behind the smaller RS3. However, things change with race two as the S8 gets off to a better start. The S8 is able to keep the RS3 behind and claim its first victory. The same thing happens with the third and final race. The big Audi completed the quarter mile in 11.8 seconds, while the RS3 took 12.1 seconds to complete.
The two rolling racers only reinforce the S8’s dominance in the competition, easily beating the RS3 in both fights. The S8 was not done with its surprises, as it also managed to win the braking test, somehow stopping at a shorter distance than the RS3.
The Audi S8 costs about twice the price of the RS3, but that difference is noticeable on the track. It’s not always the case in these videos, but the S8 had no trouble dominating the smaller RS3. However, the difference is not huge.
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. Carwow’s latest video pits the two against each other in a series of drag races to see how their differences play out on the track.
The Audi S8 is powered by the brand’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. The engine develops 571 hp (425 kW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque, much more than the RS3. It weighs 4,850 pounds (2,220 kilograms) and has all-wheel drive.
76 Pictures
The RS3 has three fewer cylinders than the S8, packing a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine. It produces 400 horsepower (298 kilowatts) and 368 pound-feet (500 Newton-meters) of torque, which it sends through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to all four wheels. The transmission has launch control for the 3,472-pound (1,575-kilogram) sedan, as does the S8 which has an eight-speed automatic.
The two line up for their first race, and they get an equal start on the line, with the RS3 quickly taking the lead. The heavier but more powerful S8 starts to roll it up, but it misses the asphalt, crossing the finish line behind the smaller RS3. However, things change with race two as the S8 gets off to a better start. The S8 is able to keep the RS3 behind and claim its first victory. The same thing happens with the third and final race. The big Audi completed the quarter mile in 11.8 seconds, while the RS3 took 12.1 seconds to complete.
The two rolling racers only reinforce the S8’s dominance in the competition, easily beating the RS3 in both fights. The S8 was not done with its surprises, as it also managed to win the braking test, somehow stopping at a shorter distance than the RS3.
The Audi S8 costs about twice the price of the RS3, but that difference is noticeable on the track. It’s not always the case in these videos, but the S8 had no trouble dominating the smaller RS3. However, the difference is not huge.