Audi RS e-tron GT Takes on RS6 Performance in Shocking Straight Line Battle
As quick as the RS6 Performance is, this showdown makes it clear that EVs like the Audi RS e-tron GT are the future of performance.
The Audi RS6 Performance was just unveiled late last month, giving everyone’s favorite hot wagon even more oomph. With less sound insulation and more power, the appropriately-named machine is a bit edgier, a bit more hardcore, and pretty much exactly what enthusiast have been pining for. Problem is, even with this big boost, there’s somewhat of an elephant in the room, and we’re talking about Audi’s all-electric future. Turns out, the brand already makes some seriously capable EVs, including the mighty Audi RS e-tron GT, as we can clearly see in this matchup between the two very different machines recently conducted by AutoTrader.
You see, the Audi RS e-tron GT offers up an impressive 637 horsepower and 612 pound-feet of instant torque from its electric motors, flowing to all four wheels via a two-speed gearbox – good for a low three-second 0-60 and 11-second quarter-mile, in spite of its 5,000+ pound curb weight. Regardless, the also-heavy RS6 Performance is no slouch either, with its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 making a healthy 621 horsepower and 627 pound-feet, helping it nearly match its all-electric counterpart in terms of acceleration figures.
However, as we’ve seen time and time again, actual performance tends to vary in the real world, and that’s certainly on display here. In a series of drag races, the Audi RS e-tron GT absolutely crushes its ICE-powered brethren, though the first loss can be attributed to a failure of the launch control system in the sporty wagon.
The second attempt goes much better, and the RS6 Performance rockets off the line to an early – yet short-lived – lead. However, the RS e-tron GT quickly finds its bearings and moves ahead, never to look back. The all-electric sedan also claims victory in a 0-60 trial, though it does wind up losing a 100-0 mph braking test by a large margin, at least.
Clearly, as our hosts note in the video, electric vehicles are the future of performance, though we’re certainly not going to let that damper our mood. Rather, we see the RS6 Performance as a truly monumental machine, a fast wagon that just makes us happy that it exists – even if it’s no match for the Audi RS e-tron GT in a straight line.
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