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Audi R8 V10 plus vs. McLaren 650S - What Would Happen in a Drag Race to 200 KM/H

Very few people have seen the new Audi R8 V10 in the flesh, so we suspect this drag race video between it and the McLaren 650S is not what it seems. The cars weren't on a track together. Acceleration tests were recorded with both these cars and then the footage was "stitched" together to make a video.
Audi R8 V10 plus vs. McLaren 650S - What Would Happen in a Drag Race to 200 KM/H 1 photo
Photo: screenshot from Youtube
Regardless, we have to talk about what we see right here. According to the data provided by the speedometers, which may not be accurate, the R8 V10 plus is faster to 100 km/h, but the extra power of the McLaren gives it the edge when that speed is doubled.

By the time the German car clocks 200 km/h (124 mph), the McLaren is doing 9 km/h (6 mph) more. Both models are classed as supercars, but they are fundamentally different, which means the results could vary every time.

The R8 V10 plus is powered by the same 610 PS 5.2-liter V10 engine as the Lamborghini Huracan. It also uses an all-wheel-drive system and a 7-speed twin-clutch gearbox. Officially, the quattro car needs 3.2 seconds to reach 100 km/h and offers a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph).

The stats of the McLaren are even more impressive. Using a smaller 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8, it gets to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and has a top speed of 333 km/h (207 mph). However, its 650 PS output is sent to the rear wheels via another seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox.

According to the spec sheets, it's also lighter by about 300 kilograms (660 lbs) and lower by about 5 centimeters (2 inches), which undoubtedly helps reduce drag.

Let's just hope somebody will develop a twin-turbo aftermarket kit for the Audi, because this result is embarrassing. The world's first twin-turbo Huracan is already making 2,100 horsepower. No tuned McLaren has ever come close to that number, which proves there is no replacement for displacement as far as drag races are concerned.

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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