2022 Audi RS3 Destroys RS6 Avant in Drag Race: Now the Fastest Audi RS?

Excluding Ferraris and such, V8s are generally the best performance vehicles in the world right now. However, there’s an anomaly in the Audi lineup. According to this UK drag race video, the all-new 2022 Audi RS3 sedan is way faster than the RS6 wagon. And that implies it’s almost the fastest Audi RS model while also being the cheapest.

Think about how ridiculous that is. It’s basically like the EcoBoost Mustang matching the Shelby GT500 or something like that. Basically, the RS3 has a 2.5-liter, while the RS6 has basically the same twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 as the Lamborghini Urus, minus 50 hp.

The controversial drag race video comes from Archie Hamilton Racing, a professional racing driver. The Brit has produced some other controversial and quite important performance tests. He proved that the new Golf R is way quicker than advertised because it actually makes 335 hp. Also, over a year ago, the RS6 brutally lost to the Urus, which supports the outcome of this RS3 race. Basically, Audi engineered a dud for some strange reason.

The RS3 is all-new, but it shouldn’t stand a chance. US market stats say this sedan’s 2.5-liter turbo makes 401 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. It should do 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds according to Audi. But that’s obviously a lie because the old one was quicker yet less powerful.

The new RS3 will arrive Stateside come Summer 2022. However, the RS6 has been available for a while and it still makes the same 591 hp from its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 and is supposed to reach 60 mph in 3.1 in 3.5 seconds. The top speed also indicates a gap: 190 mph in the wagon vs 180 mph for the little sedan that costs half the money.

What’s the fastest Audi?

But that’s not what happens in the actual drag race. The little RS3 hooks up so strong right from the start and begins to pull away. Later in the race, the RS6 is catching up, so the power gap is real.

This is obviously a powertrain difference, what type of quattro systems do these cars have and which gearboxes were used. The RS3 is essentially like a Jetta, its 5-cylinder arranged horizontally, while the RS6 has a more conventional longitudinal layout. Also, it appears the 8-speed automatic of the larger car isn’t allowed to use full power and torque initially, while the RS3’s 7-speed is essentially like a DSG, violently dumping the clutch.

This drag race suggests the RS3 is the most important Audi RS model for drag racing. Its 2.5 TFSI can be modified to make 600-700 hp, in which case you’d have a low 10-second car. The RS e-tron GT is obviously faster, but it’s electric and thus can’t be tuned easily.

As far as being the fastest hyper hatch is concerned, we’ll wait for the CLA 45 AMG drag race. However, they’re part of an ongoing power war. The RS3 arrived in America in 2016 after intense petitioning (the RS6 is also a new thing). But it’s been steadily improving since its debut in 2011. Who knew that the key to making the best European hatchback was turning it into a sedan for North America to enjoy?

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