The second-gen Audi R8 has been in production since late 2015, making it the oldest Audi performance car around. When it debuted nearly seven years ago, it was the fastest production Audi obtainable, but how does it hold its own against some of the marque’s newest RS models?
This video pits together an RS 3 Sportback, an RS 5 Sportback, an RS 6 Avant, an RS e-Tron GT and an RS Q8. Before we proceed to look at the competition, let us review the specs of the R8 V10 Performance. It has a 5.2-liter engine rated at 620 PS (611 hp / 456 kW) and 580 Nm (428 lb-ft) of torque.
The RS 3 Sportback is the least powerful of the bunch with a 2.5-liter five-cylinder producing 400 PS (394 hp / 294 kW) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque. It is also the lightest, however. Coming second-last is the RS 5 Sportback with a 2.9-liter V6, 450 PS (444 hp / 331 kW) and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft).
The Audi RS 6 Avant brings some serious power to the fight with a 4.0-liter V8 TT pumping out 600 PS (592 hp / 441 kW) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque. The RS Q8 uses the same engine and has the same specs.
Finally, the RS e-tron GT runs on electric power and gets 598 PS (590 hp / 440 kW) out of its motors, but can engage a temporary boost to 646 PS (637 hp / 475 kW). Even more important is the fact that it gets its peak torque of 830 Nm (612 lb-ft) instantly, without needing to rev up first.