We just love car versus the world drag races, like this one. They show that the driver can still play a part, even in the era of quick auto gearboxes. Otherwise, how else would you explain an Audi RS3 Sportback keeping up with the Lamborghini Aventador S?
Even if you know nothing about cars, you'd expect the Aventador S to be way faster. It used to be the king of V12 performance, looks sleek and sounds expensive, which it is. The RS3, meanwhile, is like a tuner special, a hot hatch on steroids.
The headlights let us know that the 2.5-liter engine is making 400 HP on the dot, instead of the 367 HP it did a few years back. And yes, we're dealing with a 5-cylinder and a 12-cylinder. Yet the 740 horsepower Aventador S doesn't walk all over the plucky Audi.
What gives? Are these guys friends and he doesn't want to hurt the buddy's feelings? Or is this a case of sympathy for a blue car owner?
Perhaps a race against another car might help clear things up. The next rival for the RS3 is an older E63 sedan, which also pulls only slightly ahead over the course of the German airfield.
In our book, the Alpina BMW B7 Biturbo is the coolest car here, but it is also cumbersome and less powerful than the Aventador at a little over 600 horses of power. But it digs in just fine and performs a fantastic launch.
A bit later on, another RS3, this time finished in grey, takes on the Panamera Sport Turismo. It says Turbo S on the back, but is that really the S E-Hybrid with that color of brake calipers and TDI on the plates? Anything is possible. But you have to admit, this compact 5-door deserves a lot of respect, more than any of its segment rivals.
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. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News