Audi is in transition. Late last month, the automaker announced that it would introduce only electric vehicles from 2026 while phasing out combustion-powered models in 2033. This puts engines such as the five-cylinder 2.5-liter RS3 on the chopping block, with its future uncertain.
It’s a tough powertrain that propels this model car down drag trails with ease, and should remain a fan favorite for now. However, a taste of the future is already available from Audi in the form of the E-Tron GT, the brand’s new all-electric sedan. New video from Car The YouTube channel pitted the two brothers in a drag race to see which car was the better driver.
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The Audi E-Tron GT packs a dual-motor setup which gives the sedan all-wheel drive. The powertrain also produces 489 horsepower (360 kilowatts) and 464 pound-feet (630 Newton-meters) of torque. The RS3 uses a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that develops 394 hp (294 kW) and 368 lb-ft (498 Nm) of torque. Audi channels power through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with launch control to the Quattro all-wheel-drive system.
The RS3 may be less powerful than the E-Tron GT, but it’s lighter, weighing 3,649 pounds (1,655 kilograms) and giving it at least one edge in battle. With its large battery pack, the E-Tron GT weighs 5,127 lbs (2,326 kg).
The E-Tron gets a stunning launch from the starting line in the video above, exploding in front of the RS3. The E-Tron’s extra power helped it stay ahead of the rest of the Audi until the end, completing the quarter-mile race in 11.6 seconds. The RS3 didn’t finish far behind, needing just 11.9 seconds to finish the race.
EV continues to show its performance prowess when it comes to the right configuration. The performance capabilities of EVs often come at the expense of their range, with more energy required for the motors. Battery and motor technologies should reduce this strain as automakers make improvements.
