The electric vehicle versus internal combustion engine drag race has become a staple on the internet. Usually it’s a Tesla of some description making an American musclecar look slow over the quarter mile. On rare occasions we get to watch two proper exotics face up, such as this Ferrari vs Rimac drag. But this Audi EV vs ICE drag race is slightly different in that the cars are the range-leaders from the same automaker.

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Charged Up

Audi introduced several new battery powered models into the local market earlier this year (you can read more about the range by clicking this link). At the very top of the EV food chain is the RS E-Tron GT. This sleek looking four-door has a total output that is rated as 440 kW (475 in boost mode) with peak torque of 830 N.m. Thanks to one motor per axle the RS E-tron boasts all-wheel-drive. Audi says this derivative takes 3,3 seconds to sprint from rest to 100 km/h with a top speed of 250 km/h. 

Click here to view our video review of the Audi E-tron 55.

Fueled Up

Representing pure petrol-fed power is the Audi R8 V10 Performance in coupe guise. We drove the drop-top version of this model and reported on it here. The R8 is one of the very few naturally aspirated performance cars left on sale in SA. The V10 engine delivers 449 kW with a maximum 560 N.m of torque. Drive is channelled to all four corners via a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. According to Audi it’ll sprint from 0-100 km/h in 3,2 sec and top out at 330 km/h, so it’s game on.

While the cars in the Audi EV vs ICE drag race have similar power, there is a significant mass difference. The EV tips the scales a few hundred kilos heavier than the performance coupe. Before you click the video, take a guess as to which you think will win and leave a comment below.