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.
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.
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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lost a motorsports legend. But there were some bright spots as well such as Audi competing in the 
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. The rally car that Audi used for the first time in 1985 produced 350 kW (476 PS) with its five-cylinder turbo engine and weighed only 1,090 kilograms (2403.0 lb).”,”created_timestamp”:”1246620993″,”copyright”:”AUDI AG”,”focal_length”:”400″,”iso”:”250″,”shutter_speed”:”0.0015625″,”title”:”40 years, 40 figures, 40 images: fascinating facts and tales abo”,”orientation”:”1″}” data-image-title=”40 years, 40 figures, 40 images: fascinating facts and tales abo” data-large-file=”https://www.audiworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/A207042_large-1024×725.jpg” data-medium-file=”https://www.audiworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/A207042_large-e1669172193531-600×425.jpg” data-orig-file=”https://www.audiworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/A207042_large-e1669172193531.jpg” data-orig-size=”1000,708″ data-permalink=”https://www.audiworld.com/articles/how-the-audi-sport-quattro-s1-and-the-black-volcano-changed-wrc/40-years-40-figures-40-images-fascinating-facts-and-tales-abo-3/” height=”708″ loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.audiworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/A207042_large-e1669172193531.jpg” width=”1000″></p>
<p>It was more powerful as well. Propelled by a 470 horsepower, 2.1-liter inline-five power plant, it blasts to 60 mph in three seconds. A clever recirculating air system reduced turbo lag. Painted a striking yellow and white livery, it sounded and went like an angry badger hopped up on amphetamines.</p>
<p>The Group B era of rallying can be considered the dawn of the modern World Rally Championship. The cars were extremely fast and powerful, needing a driver with equal parts fearlessness and finesse to get the most out of them. The people who did so became legends. Names like <strong>Hannu Mikkola</strong>, <strong>Stig Blomqvist</strong>, and <strong>Walter Röhrl</strong> are famous for their exploits as Audi team drivers. But while Audi made history with its Quattro rally cars, it also made history by hiring a talented factory driver named <strong>Michele Mouton</strong>.</p>
<h3>The Black Volcano</h3>
<p>As a driver, <strong><a href=)
Michele Mouton had the talent and skill to compete as a champion driver. But as a woman, she had to overcome sexism from critics who saw rallying as a man’s sport. Nicknamed “the Black Volcano” by the German press for her hair and fiery temperament, she silenced most of her critics by winning the 1981 Rallye Sanremo in Italy. In 1982, she followed that up by winning the International Rally Driver of the Year award, helping Audi win its first manufacturer’s world title and finishing second in the driver’s standings.
Audi Sport Quattro RS 002, which showed promise. However, the cancellation of Group B affected Group S as well, and the program was shelved.
