770 HP Audi S8 Battles RS3-Swapped Golf R in Ultra-Close Drag Race

Modified Audi S8 vs Volkswagen Golf R Drag Race

This Audi S8 makes far more power than the Golf R, but it also weighs more, resulting in one of the closest matchups we’ve seen.

Drag racing is a fascinating sport for a variety of reasons, but to us, one of the best things about it is getting to watch very different machines battle it out in a straight line. While many sports match up competitors based on skill or capability, that isn’t always the. case in drag racing, at least in the “run what you brung” sort of situation. That’s exactly what took place in this latest showdown conducted by the YouTube channel Officially Gassed, which pits a pair of modified German vehicles – an Audi S8 and Volkswagen Golf R – against each other.

However, these two cars do share one thing in common that most wouldn’t expect – an engine, or at least an engine from the same manufacturer. That’s because the Golf R seen here is packing the same 2.5-liter inline-five cylinder engine as the Audi RS3, and in this guise, it’s been boosted to around 520 horsepower thanks to a tune and a few other goodies. It also utilizes the RS3’s gearbox and rear end, and weighs in at around 3,300 pounds.

Modified Audi S8 vs Volkswagen Golf R Drag Race

In the other corner, we have the Audi S8, which has received one big update for its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 as well, giving it a substantial 770 horsepower to play around with. Amazingly enough, this car needs nothing more than just a tune to achieve that mark, but as one might imagine, it’s quite a bit heavier than the Golf R, tipping the scales at around 4,400 pounds.

Modified Audi S8 vs Volkswagen Golf R Drag Race

The very first race between these two is conducted from a roll, and despite their many differences, it’s a shockingly close one, with the Golf R just barely taking the win. However, there was some controversy regarding the VW driver jumping early, and the next go-round, they seem to be too conservative, giving the S8 an easy win. Amazingly, the third race was so close that it’s impossible to call, so the team goes to the numbers to decide, which shows that the Audi was indeed quicker.

From a dig, the Audi S8 proves to be superior in the first-go round, though the second round produces another race that was essentially too close to call. Thus, the two line up for a third time yet again, and in another photo finish, the Golf R takes home the victory. After reviewing the footage later on, however, it appears that the S8 actually won the second match, but regardless, this is easily some of the best racing we’ve seen in a while, which means that we’re all winners for getting to watch it all take place.

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Tuned Audi S8 Plus Hits the Autobahn for Some Testing

Tuned Audi S8 Plus Autobahn

The already potent Audi S8 Plus gets even more so with a simple upgrade and the flip of a switch.

A few years ago, the Audi S8 Plus debuted for those that didn’t think that the regular S8‘s 520 horsepower output was quite enough, upping that ante to a cool 605 raging ponies. The Plus model also received some chassis enhancements with a stiffer suspension and bigger brakes to make the best of that extra power, along with unique interior and exterior treatments, but let’s be honest – the main draw here is the car’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, which in stock form, can propel the sedan from 0-60 in just 3.3 seconds. However, as we can see in this video from AutoTopNL, a tune can also unleash even more power from this already potent offering.

Recently, the crew behind this particular YouTube channel – which routinely tests different vehicles’ top speeds on Germany’s Autobahn – installed a RaceChip in their Audi S8 Plus, and were quite pleased with the results of that upgrade. Soon, a viewer reached out to see if they could install the same part in his own car and do some testing, and who wouldn’t agree to something like that, honestly?

Tuned Audi S8 Plus Autobahn

For this particular scientific experiment, AutoTopNL started out with the car in stock form to get a baseline, while also discussing the gains that the RaceChip adds to the mix – around 95 horsepower and 100 pound-feet of torque. In terms of acceleration, the stock Audi S8 Plus accelerated from 100 kilometers per hour to 200 – or 62-124 miles-per-hour – in eight seconds flat, while the tune slashes that number to just 7.27 seconds.

That number places the tuned Audi S8 Plus just behind the Porsche Cayenne Turbo with PP Performance upgrades and in front of vehicles like the Lamborghini Urus from Mansory, the Nissan GT-R Nismo, BMW M3 Competition, and Audi e-tron GT, to name just a few – impressive company, indeed. On a corresponding top speed run, the team manages to get the car up to 198 mph – higher than the stock car’s governed limit of around 190 mph, too.

The beauty of this particular combination is that the tuned S8 Plus isn’t just absurdly quick, but it’s also quite comfortable to cruise around in, plus, the tune can be turned on and off with the push of a button, in the event that one wants to do so. Truthfully, it’s hard to imagine a better daily driver, one that’s equal parts civilized and capable of outrunning even some exotic machinery when called upon.

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Audi R8 With Gated Manual Hits the Autobahn for Top Speed Run

Audi R8 Autobahn

Listen to the sweet sounds of this N/A V8-powered Audi R8 and the satisfying clicks of its gated manual before they’re gone.

The Audi R8 is a special and arguably underrated machine, a more reasonable Lamborghini for those that don’t care for audacious styling or simply being stared at everywhere they go. At the same time, the R8 serves up the same exciting driving experience as its more exotic brethren, making it the perfect everyman’s supercar. To us, there’s nothing better than listening to a car like this sing its siren song, and that’s precisely what we’re treated to in this new video from AutoTopNL.

As is typically the case with videos from this YouTube channel, the Audi R8 featured here heads out to Germany’s famous Autobahn for a bit of a top speed rip, or at least as fast as its driver can go in a safe manner. Unfortunately, this example isn’t a V10 model, but it is a V8 with a gated manual, which is a combination that has essentially gone extinct in the last few years, so we’ll certainly allow it.

Audi R8 Autobahn

Driving all four wheels, the car’s naturally-aspirated V8 churns out 424 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque in this guise, and it sounds simply amazing revving to 8,000 rpm, even if it isn’t exactly the quickest thing on the roads today. It winds up hitting 263 kilometers per hour – or around 163 mph – without breaking a sweat, but perhaps more importantly, it sounds awesome doing so.

Sadly, these types of experiences won’t be around much longer, as the Audi R8 is destined to leave this world – at least temporarily – with the GT RWD limited-edition serving as its last gasp. If the R8 does return one day, it will do so as an EV – like all Audi models – which is something of a shame for those of us that adore N/A V8 and V10 engines, not to mention gated manual transmissions, or row-your-own gearboxes of any kind. However, there are still some fine machines out there such as this one that can still provide us with simple driving pleasure, at least for now.

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Audi RS3: Proof That Modern Performance is Easy to Drive Fast!

Audi RS3

Even with an unexperienced, speed-hating driver behind the wheel, the Audi RS3 is still quicker than some modern exotics.

We truly live in the golden age of automotive performance, a world where everything – even minivans and economy cars – are quicker than many so-called performance-focused vehicles sold just a few years ago. Performance has certainly come a long way in a very short period of time, which is rather heartbreaking when we compare our heroes of yesterday to the incredible hi-po machines of today. However, there is one good thing about modern performance vehicles like the Audi RS3 – they’re so darn capable and easy to drive that anyone can achieve maximum acceleration in one, as is proven by this recent video from Car Magazine.

After spending some time in the new Audi RS3, it became immediately evident to Car that this is a vehicle anyone can drive, and it certainly doesn’t take much skill to achieve the best quarter-mile time possible, thanks in part to its genius electronic aids and quick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Its turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine also cranks out plenty of juice – 401 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, which is good enough for a 3.3-second romp to 60 and an 11.8 second quarter-mile in optimal conditions.

Audi RS3

On this particular day, conditions weren’t exactly optimal – rather, the weather in South Africa is rather dreary and cool, but that doesn’t really matter for a car like the Audi RS3, which offers up plenty of traction thanks to its Quattro all-wheel-drive system. But the real question here is, how will the car perform when it’s being launched by a 70-year-old woman that isn’t really a fan of driving fast? The answer, it seems, is pretty darn well.

Our elderly driver manages to rip off a 12.8-second quarter-mile pass on a less than ideal surface in not-great weather conditions, which is truly impressive for a number of reasons – not just the fact that she isn’t exactly a seasoned race car driver or even an enthusiast. Rather, what’s truly impressive about the RS3 is that this time is virtually identical to the one posted by the Lamborghini Murciélago, an exotic supercar that isn’t nearly as utilitarian, affordable, or comfortable as the RS3 – and that, friends, is what we like to call progress.

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Effortless e-tron GT is an Audi Electric Revelation

Audi

Audi’s e-tron GT is a quick, handsome electric four-door that plays so handsomely to the brand’s peerless, and totally effortless strengths.

Some may say that this e-tron GT is the most exciting electric Audi yet. That’s difficult to argue. Great looking and eye-catching, it has an electric twist that never failed to attract extreme attention wherever we drove it. Low and wide in subtly metallic white, all that black trim, splendid face machined black wheels and matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light each side of a dark Audi trademark mouth, come together splendidly. A full-width taillight around the back does a disco dance every time it switches on or off.

Audi

Audi e-tron GT is wrapped in an extremely sharp suit

The Porsche Taycan’s sister car is based on the same VW Group J1 platform. It offers most of the same technology its Stuttgart sibling does. Albeit wrapped in an extremely sharp Audi suit. It’s assembled alongside the R8 at Audi’s Neckarsulm factory, which limits the number that can be built and guarantees exclusivity. It’s also a fraction longer, a little narrower and a bit taller than the Porsche.

Swing open the door to reveal superb plum leather and carbon fiber clad, chunky metal adorned high-quality cabin. It has so many delightful and special little features in there, from that touch-friendly enough, space-age gear button to the cool e-tron logo that shines through the passenger side facia. Never mind, it’s packed full of all the very latest in Audi high tech. Yet this e-tron GT combines haptic touch screen controls with just enough knobs and buttons to keep us from crying foul.

A 12.3-inch virtual cockpit shines your choice of classic, sport and e-tron screens at you behind the wheel. The last mentioned is even something of a range anxiety elixir. Add 10.1-inch center dash touch screen above an array of oh-so-welcome knobs and dials for the air-con, heated seats, drive modes and the rest. See, we can still do the future with buttons. Incredible! Rear visibility could be better but backing up is eased by crisp and clear rear-facing and 360-degree cameras.

e-tron GT

Practical for Four Adults. And More, Too

There’s more than enough space in the rear for a couple of adults, whose feet fall into a neat notch cut into the underfloor battery. And there’s enough space in the 405-liter (14.3 cubic feet) trunk. Albeit our tester was smothered by a full-size spare wheel tied in there like a leather parachute. Nor is the long flat trunk a hatchback. You must make do with a narrow lid. That stolen boor space is partially recovered by another 81 liters (2.86 cubic feet) of baggage space in the nose. If you remove all the charging cables and paraphernalia, that is.

The Audi e-tron GT hums when you turn on. To warn pedestrians, cyclists and horsemen of your presence. With a motor at the front and another on the rear axle for all-wheel drive, e-tron GT has a two-speed gearbox on the rear axle to maximize acceleration off the line. And improve efficiency. Something of a fast granturismo, this ‘entry-level’ GT produces 470 HP, or 522 HP for 2.5 seconds when you select launch control. Audi says that’s enough for 0-60mph in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 152mph.

It blasts off the line with great energy and thrusts you back in the seat thanks to that instantaneous electric torque. Acceleration is impressive and quicker than Audi’s claims as it goes through a quaint little transformation phase as the rear motor unit finds that second cog. After which there’s constant, endless and abundant power underfoot. Your GT pipes in Star Wars pod tones through its sport sound gadget, distantly gurgling and grunting as it progresses. And there’s always that effortless surge at your disposal.

e-tron GT

Effortless. That’s the Real e-tron GT Catchword

That’s the big call word here. Effortless. Steering is quick and honest, if a touch leaden. Not unlike, say an A7. The most impressive aspect of this electric GT’s driving manner however is its agility and obedience. It totally defies its 2.3-ton bulk. Audi reminds us that this e-tron GT’s center of gravity is lower than an R8. They really don’t need to. This one makes a mockery of its heft.

Supporting a 93-kWh battery and 800V architecture, you can charge e-tron GT at up to 270 kW if you can find a point capable of delivering that. At peak speeds in optimum conditions, you can add 62 miles of range in just five minutes. Or charge up 80 percent in just over 20 minutes. A full charge will give you 303 miles of range. If you can resist your urges to floor it and revel in those 522 horses, that is. So, range anxiety is still real and certainly takes a little getting used to.

In a world where we have experienced that the likes of the BMW iX will go 400 miles with a little discipline, and where some Teslas even manage 500 on a charge, this Audi’s 300-mile range is a limiting factor, whether you need travel far or not. It would be so much more complete with an extra 100 or so mile driving range, like some rivals now manage. Which means the etron GT fails to ease range anxiety as well as say and iX does. You still need to plot your longer routes around rapid charging stations.

e-tron GT

Perfect as an Everyday Driver Around Town

But it’s perfect for the everyday short haul. You can adapt the regeneration to your liking via the flappy paddles behind the steering wheel. Three tugs to the left make this GT almost fully single paddle drivable. Initial regen mode deceleration is up to 3Gs, so you only really need use the brake pedal in case of emergency or avoidance. All of which, unless you are going to use it on a trackday, makes the carbon brake option futile. Driven diligently, you may never even us the clamps. We hardly did.

So, there you have it. The Audi e-tron GT is tech leader as much as it is a hugely impressive car. Way beyond just a comfy daily driver, it’s a practical enough four-door but with sharp, long, and low good looks that grab gob-smacked attention wherever you take it. So yes, it is exciting. But this e-tron GT’s real strength is that it’s not trying to be a car of the future. It’s simply a quick, efficient, and handsome electric four-door that plays so handsomely to Audi’s peerless, and totally effortless strengths.

ROAD TESTED: Audi e-tron GT quattro
Motors: 2x electric, 522 HP 472 lb.-ft combined 
Drive: Direct AWD
Battery: 100 kWh lithium-ion
TESTED:
0-40 mph:           2.16 sec
0-60 mph:           3.91 sec 
0-80 mph:           5.18 sec
0-100 mph:          8.34 sec 
¼-mile:             11.9 sec @ 117 mph 
50-75 mph:          2.20 sec
75-100 mph:         3.15 sec 
CLAIMED:
VMax:               152 mph 
Energy Consumption: 37.2 kWh/100 miles 
CO2:                0 g/km local
LIST PRICE          $102,400 MSRP
RATED:              8

Photos: Michle Lupini

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