Best cars & vans

Audi R8 Spyder vs Audi RS6 Avant drag race

The least practical Audi in the range goes up against one of the most commodious in the ultimate battle of bhp vs boot space

Audi’s range of performance cars is as wide as it gets, ranging from the tiny S1 supermini right up to the amazing R8 supercar – plus just about everything in between. We took two opposite ends of the scale to the drag strip to see which one came out on top.

Representing family-friendly estate cars, the RS6 Avant offers up a cavernous boot, space for five, and a 4.0-litre V8 engine with a massive 552bhp. It’s also discreet enough to fly under the radar of most passers-by – your neighbours don’t need to know what lays under the car’s bonnet.

The R8 Spyder on the other hand makes no excuses for its 533bhp V10 engine, hidden under a supremely stylish (if not particularly practical) convertible body.

With similar power outputs, quattro four-wheel drive and the same badge on the front, which one of these B-road belters will come out on top in a drag race?

Click through the links on the side or below to see some more of the best drag races we've shot, or visit our YouTube channel to watch them all...

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and video newsletter for more great Auto Express video content.

Recommended

Best new cars coming in 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024 - header image
Best cars & vans

Best new cars coming in 2024

There are some big new models from the likes of Audi, BMW, Citroen, Ford, MINI, Skoda and more on the way in 2024
20 Nov 2023
New Audi SQ8 arrives with a new face and 500bhp V8 power
New Audi SQ8 - front quarter
News

New Audi SQ8 arrives with a new face and 500bhp V8 power

The Audi SQ8 is the firm’s range-topping performance SUV…for now
6 Oct 2023
More performance, range and value: Audi Q4 e-tron upgraded for 2024
2024 Audi Q4 e-tron SUV - front
News

More performance, range and value: Audi Q4 e-tron upgraded for 2024

Substantial updates are inbound for Audi’s Q4 e-tron and Q4 e-tron Sportback
21 Sep 2023
Audi Sport confirms ten new RS models by 2026
New Audi RS Q6 e-tron front
News

Audi Sport confirms ten new RS models by 2026

The all-electric RS Q6 e-tron is set to be the first new RS model with extreme versions of RS3 and RS6 also likely
18 May 2023

Most Popular

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed
Dacia Duster - front
News

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed

Dacia has taken the wraps off the latest Duster, which arrives with a new look and fresh technology
29 Nov 2023
The paper-thin speakers set to transform car audio
Auto Express editor-in-chief Steve Fowler holding a speaker developed by Warwick Acoustics
Features

The paper-thin speakers set to transform car audio

British firm is planning to shake up the in-car hi-fi world with its audio panels that replace traditional speakers. We sound them out
27 Nov 2023
New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash
BMW Neue Klasse SUV exclusive image - front
News

New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash

BMW’s first Neue Klasse electric SUV could carry the iX3 nameplate and our exclusive images preview how it might look
30 Nov 2023