Audi RS5 Destroys Lexus IS500 In Drag and Roll Race
On paper the Audi RS5 and Lexus IS500 are evenly matched. Racing tells a different story. Is the RS5 making more power than we think?
The Audi RS5 Coupe is a quick car. Audi claims it can hit 60 mph from a dig in 3.7 seconds. It is also a beautiful car. Especially when it is covered in Sonoma Green Metallic paint. Which is almost the same color as money. And money is exactly what you will win if you drag race your RS5 against a Lexus IS500. The IS500 is no slouch. In fact, on paper it has even more power than the Audi. But the Audi makes more torque. They both weigh about the same and they both use an 8-speed automatic transmission. But the Audi is all-wheel-drive, and the Lexus sends all the power to the rear wheels. Does that fully explain the results we see here or is the Audi more powerful than we think?
Sam CarLegion recently posted a video to his YouTube channel. And in this video has races an Audi RS5 Coupe against a Lexus IS500 from both a dig and a roll. The cars may be evenly matched on paper but in the real world the Audi decimates the Lexus in every race. Is it all down to the AWD system in the Audi or is there something else going on here?
AWD Launch
Before the days of launch control trying to launch an AWD car was notoriously difficult. Not enough revs at the start and you bog down. Too many revs and you risk burning a clutch or at the very least being quite unkind to your drivetrain. But with the advent of launch control having an AWD car means you can get the jump on just about everything. The computer doles out the perfect amount of power and all four tires grip, provide power and rocket you off the line. The exact same car in a RWD configuration would have no chance. So, in the dig race we see here the launch thanks to AWD can explain the jump off the line.
Turbo Versus NA
Another difference that is worth calling out is that the Audi and Lexus may have similar power numbers, but they make them differently. The Audi uses a twin turbo V6 setup. Lexus goes with an old school naturally aspirated V8. The Audi makes 444 horsepower compared to 472 horsepower for Lexus. But 28 horsepower in nearly 4,000-pound vehicles is not that significant. But turbos make torque, and the Audi has a sizable advantage here. 442 pound-feet in the Audi compared to 395 pound-feet in the Lexus. And torque helps you get off the line. Combined with the AWD launch advantage it is no surprise the Audi stomps the Lexus from a dig.
Roll Race
The roll races are a bit closer, but the Audi still wins by a large margin from the 32 mph roll and the 62 mph roll. From a roll the launch advantage is eliminated, and the Lexus has more horses. But the Lexus can do nothing except watch the green RS5 rocket off into the distance. And with a top track speed of only 149 mph the Lexus will never catch the Audi which has a top speed as high as 174 mph depending on options.
Explanation
So, besides the Audi RS5 just being awesome what are some other possible reasons for its domination at the track? Tires. The video indicates that the Audi is shod with better performing rubber and that will always help in a race. Gearing. Both vehicles use 8-speed transmissions, but the Audi may be geared better for acceleration. The speeds in these races are not really high enough for aerodynamics to play much of a role. That leaves us with the power question. Are there really more than 444 horses under the hood of the Audi RS5? Watch the video below and let us know what you think.
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