Summary
- Key takeaways:
- Audi tested the performance of its gas-powered R8 GT, electric RS e-tron, and the one-off prototype Audi S1 Hoonitron in a drag race.
- The electric Hoonitron and RS e-tron have an advantage in the drag race due to their instant torque, while the R8 GT struggles to hook up its tires.
- The RS e-tron performs well in the braking test, while the Hoonitron struggles to slow down without ABS.
Audi is in the midst of a performance car renaissance, balancing its budding performance EV lineup with a storied tradition of internal combustion performance cars. Now, the two ends of the Audi performance spectrum have collided.
The folks over at Carwow pitted the gas-powered R8 GT and electric RS e-tron GT against a one-off prototype built specifically, so Ken Block could take it out and rip burnouts. It's called the Audi S1 Hoonitron, and it's a fully-electric Gymkhana car.
The three cars are substantially different from one another in form and performance intentions. But the half-mile drag races turn out to be a bit closer than you might imagine.
The Audi S1 Hoonicorn Makes Easy Work Of The Drag Race
As usual, the Carwow team decided to start with a traditional drag race with a hard launch from a dead stop. Obviously, the Hoonitron and RS e-tron with their instant-torque electric powertrains have a clear advantage in this application, and it shows in the racing.
After each car gets a turn ripping donuts in the name of warming up the tires, the race begins. At first, the RS e-tron GT jumps out to a small lead. But it doesn't take long for the Hoonitron to catch up and charge into a strong lead of its own.
The R8 GT, unfortunately, has a harder time hooking up its tires on the launch. That, combined, with the torque-delivery disadvantage of its gas-powered V10, spells a loss for the Audi supercar. In the second run, the three cars see a similar result.
The drivers even switch to a Quattro version of the R8 in the third run to see if all-wheel drive makes a difference — but despite a better start, the R8 Quattro still falls behind. Ken Block's electric drift machine wins rather handily, though its 140 MPH limit gives the RS e-tron GT a chance to gain back some ground near the end.
It's a strong testament to the immediate, brutal torque delivered by electric motors.
Rolling Start Drag Race Favors The V10-Powered Audi R8 GT
All wasn't lost for the R8 GT, however. The next segment of the competition saw the three cars launch from a rolling start. At higher speed and with access to the meat of its RPM power band, the R8 GT's V10 shows its muscle. While it fails to catch the Hoonitron, the R8's long legs help it best the RS e-tron.
Audi RS e-tron GT Shines In Brake Test
Finally, the Carwow crew conduct a braking test.
In a bit of a surprise, the RS e-tron GT has the shortest stopping distance of the bunch. It's a surprise considering the car's hefty curb weight. The R8 GT comes in second with a respectable stopping distance.
Finally, the Hoonitron struggles to slow down due to its lack of ABS. As the driver notes, it takes a true racing driver to effectively bring such a squirrelly machine to a stop without ABS.
Check out the rest of the video at Carwow's YouTube channel.