We really have no idea what was going on in Auto Express' head when they decided on this track battle. These cars are about as different as a dog to a fish, and they are being compared on a track, where none of them belongs, honestly.
The only thing the trio has in common is the fact that they use permanent all-wheel drive. But the power comes from entirely different places.
The Alpina XD3 is the least powerful car here, but that doesn't mean we don't like it. In the absence of a proper X3 M model from BMW, this is the most extreme version of the SUV, and it comes with a twin-turbo engine. So what if it uses diesel? This beast packs 350 HP and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque, thus being capable of catapulting to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.9 seconds.
Next up, we have the Audi RS7, a facelift model we might add, not that this would make a difference. Under the bonnet is a 4.0-liter TFSI engine with twin turbocharging and 560 horsepower. The torque is the same as the XD3 because that's all their shared gearbox can handle.
Right off the bat, we're going to tell you that the Audi RS6 sets the fastest lap around the track. It's designed for this kind of stuff and did hundred of laps of the Nurburgring.
The Tesla Model S P85D didn't do laps at the Nurburgring. But it is the most exciting electric car in the world. In fact, some people would have this over any Lamborghini, and rightfully so since the electric goodies have as much power as a V12.
As Steve Sutcliff explains, the performance of the Tesla doesn't come across on camera because it's nearly totally silent. However, it still manages to come within a second of the time set by the Audi, which is very impressive.
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
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