Drag race: Ferrari 458 Speciale vs Audi RS7 Performance vs Audi S3

Can a couple of family-friendly German executive cars possibly be as fast as a slice of Italian exotica? Well, we’re going to find out, as we pit the Audi RS7 and the Audi S3 against the legendary Ferrari 458 Speciale.

Let’s get a look at the stats on offer.

Ferrari 458 Speciale

Ferrari’s Speciale series has a distinguished past featuring some of the company’s greatest ever models. It can be summed up by one mantra – more power, less weight. The 458 Speciale is based on the 458 Italia but weighs 90kg less and has had an uplift in power.

The result is 605hp from its naturally-aspirated V8 engine, along with 540Nm of torque. This is all sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox. It’s a relative featherweight at just 1,395kg, and back in 2015 would have cost £208,000. The example we have here also has an aftermarket Novitec exhaust system fitted.

Audi RS7 Performance

The RS7 is getting on a little in years but it still stacks up when you look at the numbers.

Its 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 puts out a massive 630hp and 850Nm of torque, comfortably eclipsing the Ferrari. It sends power to all four wheels via an eight-speed torque-converter gearbox. However, all that power has a lot more weight to shift – the RS7 clocks in at a beefy 2,065kg. To buy one new you’ll pay £132,625.

Audi S3

Based on the numbers alone the S3 would seem to be the underdog in this equation. However, if we’ve learned anything from past Carwow drag races, it’s that the numbers don’t necessarily reflect real life…

It has half the cylinders of the other two cars, with its 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine putting out 333hp and 420Nm of torque. Like the RS7, it has Audi’s quattro four-wheel drive system, here mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Weight-wise, it splits the difference, coming in at 1,610kg. It’s by far the cheapest car here, though, with its £48,085 price tag less than a quarter of the Ferrari’s original going rate.

So which of these three do you have your money on for drag race supremacy? Watch today’s video to find out which car’s fastest.

Looking for an easy way to change your car? Then Carwow is the place to go. You can sell your old car for a great price, and get the best deals on a new one. All through our network of trusted dealers and all from the comfort of your home. Tap the button below to get started today.