Blog Details

With the RS Q8, Audi finally has a powerful V8 SUV to compete against the brutes from BMW M and Mercedes-AMG. But can it really compete with the vicious launch control of the newest X5 M Competition?

The X5 M is one of the original high-performance German SUVs. For years, tuners have been extracting more power out of the 4.4-liter V8 to make unlikely drag racing machines. However, this newest model is pretty potent right out of the box.

The Competition package turns up the power to a claimed 617 horsepower and 553 lb-ft. It pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission and the xDrive which can turn into a rear-drive system. The pack also comes standard with a more rowdy exhaust system, an exclusive Track mode, and larger 22-inch rear wheels and tires.

Meanwhile, the RS Q8 is only available in one flavor, with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo that’s poised to deliver 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. Before the race starts, Arche Hamilton Racing points out that quattro SUV has more torque but less power, making it sound like we’re in for a close event.

However, we already know that the X5 M has what it takes to play with the Lamborghini Urus, so defeating an RS Q8 should be no problem at all. And that’s exactly what we see in the drag race. It has the traction advantage off the line, leaving the Audi in the figurative dust.

We actually have a wet drag race on our hands, but the way the Bimmer pulls away suggests this outcome would be repeated under dry conditions. This could be down to extra power, as we’ve seen this same model in stock configuration putting out 630 to 650 hp in some dyno tests (see the second video).

But there’s also an undeniable traction advantage at the beginning of the race. People love to say xDrive is better than quattro and the other way around.

Source autoevolution.com