DRAG RACE: Audi RS6 Avant vs Audi S8

Audi South Africa recently launched a slew of new performance models, including the flagship S8 and RS6. Ordinarily, the duo wouldn’t come to mind when a drag race was being planned. Nevertheless, the team at Carwow secured Ingolstadt’s most powerful sedan and wagon to see which is fastest.

Both models use the Volkswagen Group-sourced twin-turbo 4,0-litre V8 petrol engine.  Audi’s flagship sedan, the S8, produces 420 kW and 800 N.m and it boasts a claimed 0 -100 km/h sprint time of 3,8 seconds. Top speed is pegged at 250 km/h.

As is customary on most fast Audis, power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Audi has fitted the S8 with all-wheel steering, sport differential and predictive active suspension as standard.

The S8 is a heavy car and tips the scales at 2230 kilograms. It rides on 21-inch wheels and measures in at 5 180 mm long. To assert its sporty nature, the S8 is fitted with twin oval exhaust tips on each side.

Despite using the same engine, the RS6’s motor has been tuned to deliver 441 kW, an increase of 21 kW compared to its S8 sibling. The RS6 rockets to 100 km/h from standstill in a claimed 3,6 seconds and is limited to 250 km/h. Audi says by ticking the “RS Dynamic” option, the top speed is elevated to 280 km/h.

Audi’s most powerful wagon rides on 22-inch wheels wrapped in 285 / 30 rubber. It’s fitted with an RS braking system highlighted by red calipers and internally ventilated and perforated discs. The rear stoppers measure in at 420 mm and 370 mm at the front.

The RS6 also employs the carmaker’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system and uses an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

In comparison to the S8, the RS6 weighs significantly less, but is still hefty at 2 075 kilograms. The four-wheel drive system gives both cars good traction off the line and interestingly it’s the S8 that has a better start.

Although Carwow’s Matt Watson admitted his quick reactions to launch the S8 might have swayed the result.

For the record, the S8 is priced at R2 484 000 and the RS6 starts from R2 070 000.