5 Times Audi Beat BMW

1. Participating in Le Mans

BMW doesn’t even participate. Why? Audi has long been involved in World Endurance Challenge (WEC) racing, and it benefits us as much as it benefits them. The manufacturers benefit from the competition under scrupulous rules and regulations, which forces innovation to gain minute advantages, this in turn allows for development in all areas of automotive technology including safety, powertrain performance, and chassis design among other things. Consumers benefit, not only from any of those technologies that make it downstream into production cars, in the halo cars, victories and brand association that participating in some of the most intense racing on Earth. Seeing the R18, or whatever car Audi fields into the fray, gives people pride for their brand.

2. Embracing Turbocharging

Audi has had a history of turbocharging, almost since the brand’s inception. Going way back to the Audi Quattro, the brand has used turbocharging, and they were way ahead of the curve. Turbocharging improves engine efficiency, and can make a small displacement engine punch way above its weight class. From engines like the 20-valve 1.8t, 2.0 FSI/TFSI, 2.5TFSI and moving all the way through the brand with their 6 and 8-cylinder engines, Audi has been way ahead of BMW in the widespread use of turbocharging. BMW clearly looked at 2.7L twin-turbo V6 used in the B5 S4 and realized that they would be screwed if they didn’t bring out a direct-fuel injected, turbocharged motor. Unsurprisingly, the N54 came out in the next generation of BMW, and they’ve been moving to an entirely turbocharged line-up since.

3. Audi Quattro in Group B Rally

Many people contest that Group B was some of the craziest racing to ever grace this planet, and we agree. Big power, innovative chassis tech, factory support (and factory cash) and the bravest drivers to ever enter motorsport are some highlights of this era of rally. But first, let’s rewind the clock: the FIA (Federation International De L’Automobile) legalized 4WD in competition in 1979, but competitors were reluctant: the chassis tech and development wasn’t there, and few manufacturers even had 4WD production cars to use. Here comes Audi in 1980 with the Quattro for 1982, rally was reorganized into Group N, Group A and Group B. Group B was a response to Audi’s Quattro and the fact that other OEM’s were responding with their own 4WD projects. Where was BMW during all of this, as Audi was completely changing the game? Still trying to get the stillborn M1 into rally-fighting shape, and we all know where that went.

4. Having a Spec Racer Series

BMW does not care about or support amateur motorsport, end of story. Audi actually has a spec racer series in the form of TT Cup. Back up, what is a spec racer series? Glad you asked! A spec racer series is where every car on grid is exactly the same, a car that is built to specification. This is important for several reasons: chiefly because it keeps competition costs down since the package is pretty much already designed and developed. Additionally, and much more importantly, since the cars are basically all the same, any difference in performance is down to the driver. It promotes extremely close racing and helps showcase rising talent. The Audi TT Cup is a caged, lightened and slick tire shod version of a production Audi TT with a slight power bump. In this particular series, the vehicles are actually maintained and serviced by Audi, with drivers effectively applying and bidding for a seat in the events. In theory, this is the ultimate form of “arrive and drive” racing. Thanks, Audi!

5. Making a Supercar

Audi R8: two generations of savage V10 goodness. Your move, BMW.

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