Tuned Audi RS 3 Drag Races Stock RS 7 Performance, Finish Just Two-Tenths Apart

Pictured at carwow's usual filming location, the Audis further differ under the hood: turbocharged I5 versus twin-turbo V8. The 2017 model year RS 3 does not develop the advertised 400 ps and 480 Nm, but rather 500 metric ponies and 630 Nm or 493 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. Not bad for a 2.5-liter engine with five cylinders arranged in a line. Coming courtesy of DMS Automotive, the software tuning extends to the transmission (seven-speed S tronic dual-clutcher) control unit as well.

Tipping the scales at 1,510 kilograms or 3,330 pounds, the RS 3 can transfer up to 50 percent of the motor's torque to the rear wheels. By comparison, the RS 7's default torque split is 40/60 and goes all the way to 85 percent to the rear wheels in case of slip. Quite a bit heavier (2,065 kilograms or 4,553 pounds), the RS 7 has the upper hand in both power (630 ps/621 hp) and torque (850 Nm/627 lb-ft).

As you have probably guessed by now, the RS 3 could pose a serious threat due to its better power-to-weight ratio. We also have to remember that the RS 7 Performance uses the ZF 8HP torque-converter automatic of the regular RS 7, a tranny that doesn't shift as quickly as the S tronic DCT.

Given the aforementioned numbers, can you guess which four-ringed vehicle is quicker and faster in the quarter mile? With Mat Watson in the RS 3 and carwow YouTube strategist Nick Lette van Oostvoorne in the better-sounding machine, the best runs were 11.5 and 11.3 seconds, respectively. Oh, if only the runway had been a little bit drier…

The boyos couldn't stop there. Following the quarter-mile shenanigans, they also tested the cars from a rolling start. In chronological order, the rolling races were done in comfort/normal modes at 50 mph (80 kph), sport/manual modes at 30 mph (almost 50 kilometers per hour) in second gear, and then sport/manual modes at 50 mph in third gear.

Although the software-tuned RS 3 had shown promise at kickdown, the massive torque and higher pony count of the RS 7 Performance made a world of difference over the half mile. On all three occasions, the RS 3 had to settle for second place. For the final test, Watson redeemed the compact hatch by stopping in a shorter distance than the RS 7 Performance from 100 miles per hour (161 kph).

Officially dubbed RS 3 Sportback, the more practical sibling of the RS 3 Saloon is priced at 56,675 pounds sterling in the United Kingdom. That's $70,930 at current exchange rates, which is more than eight grand up on the RS 3 Sedan for the United States. Be that as it may, bear in mind that British motorists have to pay 20 percent VAT.

The value-added tax also makes the RS 7 Performance pricier in the UK than in the US. The starting prices in question are £119,275 ($149,275) and $127,800, respectively, as of April 2024.