Over 0–100 km/h, S8 and RS 3 Sportback are neck and neck (3,83 s vs 3,88 s, no significant gap).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| S8 | RS 3 Sportback | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 3,83 s−0,04 s | 3,88 s |
| 400 m standing start | 11,81 s−0,27 s | 12,08 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 21,27 s−0,78 s | 22,05 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 3,89 kg/hpbetter ratio | 3,91 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | S8 | RS 3 Sportback |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,07 s | 1,04 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,78 s | 1,74 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 2,88 s | 2,85 stight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 3,83 s | 3,88 stight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 4,97 s | 5,07 stight gap |
| 0–160 km/h | 7,99 s | 8,84 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 12,24 s | 13,81 s |
| 400 m standing start | 11,81 s | 12,08 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 21,27 s | 22,05 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 571 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 800 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 220 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed tiptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 400 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 500 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 565 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
Off the line, the S8 hits 100 km/h in 3.83 s versus 3.88 s for the RS 3 Sportback. The 0.04 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the S8 is doing 157 km/h against 150 km/h for the RS 3 Sportback. The gap is 0.08 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the S8 crosses the line in 11.81 s versus 12.08 s. The 0.27 s gap represents roughly 14 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the S8 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 222 km/h versus 211 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S8 finishes in 21.26 s versus 22.04 s, with a 0.78 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the S8 and the RS 3 Sportback are governed to 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (3.89 kg/hp vs 3.91 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 5.79 seconds. The 0.04 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, S8 and RS 3 Sportback are neck and neck (3,83 s vs 3,88 s, no significant gap).
S8 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,83 seconds (calibrated simulation).
S8: 571 hp, ratio 3,89 kg/hp. RS 3 Sportback: 400 hp, ratio 3,91 kg/hp.
S8: 250 km/h. RS 3 Sportback: 250 km/h.