The original R8 caused a sensation, as it was a true supercar that shared many parts with a Lamborghini Gallardo but could be used everyday. Surely a hot hatch is no match for it then, right?
Well, it depends. If we’re talking about Audi’s own RS3 Sportback, things aren’t that clear-cut. See, the facelifted hot hatch has lots of upgrades and a bump in power, with the five-pot 2.5-liter that’s shared with the TT RS and RS3 Sedan churning out 400 PS (395 hp / 295 kW) and 480 Nm (354 lb-ft) of torque.
All this power is being channeled to the permanent all-wheel drive system via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) is dispatched with in 4.1 seconds, while flat out, the 2018 RS3 Sportback will do 250 km/h (155 mph), or 280 km/h (174 mph) with the electronic speed limiter removed.
Also Read: Top 10: The Fastest Accelerating Hot Hatches On The Market
As for the first-gen R8, at first it came with a 4.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 rated at 420 PS (414 hp / 309 kW) and 430 Nm (317 lb-ft) of torque, and a 5.2-liter V10 was later added to the range. For the second generation, the V8 was dropped from the lineup and the German supercar is only offered with a V10 that’s based on the unit found in the Gallardo.
But this still doesn’t answer the question of which is quicker in a straight line acceleration: a stock R8 or a tuned, 450HP RS3? That’s what the video below does, as it depicts the two against each other in an Audi family feud – and, as an added bonus, it shows other RS3s going up against some powerful machines, including a Lamborghini Aventador, Porsche Panamera, Nissan GT-R and a couple of AMGs.