In possibly the strangest of comparison tests, Auto Express pits an electric luxury sedan up against a twin-turbocharged V8 luxury hatchback up against a high-performance diesel SUV. The only two things each of these three cars have in common is the fact that they’re all-wheel drive and ludicrously fast. The Tesla Model S P85D vs the Audi RS7 vs the Alpina XD3. What a test. Steve Sutcliffe of Auto Express, a man not unfamiliar with extremely fast cars, takes each of these three ridiculously fast machines on the track to see how fast they all are.
First is the turn of the Alpina XD3.
The Alpina XD3 is an Alpina tuned version of BMW’s X3 SUV. It’s powered by a turbocharged 3.0 liter straight-6 diesel engine and pairs with an 8-Speed automatic. It also uses BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system. It’s a surprisingly good recipe for speed, as it’s actually far faster than you;d imagine. It also handles and stops really well for an SUV and looks like a fun car to drive overall. Though it still can’t help its heft and finishes with a 54.1 second lap time from a standing start.
Next is the turn of the Audi RS7.
We already know that the RS7 uses a 4.0 TFSI twin-turbocharged engine and is capable of 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. It’s a rocket ship. Being the lightest car of the bunch, the RS7 should have the best lap time as well. And it does (spoiler alert). The RS7 turns in better than the other and brakes better than the other. It’s Quattro all-wheel drive and sports differential also help it to cling on and carry so much speed through corners. The RS7 is a weapon on the track, which is surprising given its size. The Audi RS7 finishes with a 53.0 second lap time from a standstill.
The Tesla is up next. Tesla’s Model S P85D has been making headlines everywhere for its “Insane” acceleration mode. Well, that’s the best term for it, frankly, as it’s able to use both of its electric motors and 691 effective hp to rocket it to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds, making it the fastest car of the bunch in a straight line. However, the Model S is also the heaviest of the bunch by far, being weighted down by all those batteries. So, while it’s actually not bad through corners and during braking, it’s almost impossible to disguise that heft on the track. It finishes with a 53.7 second lap time, which i good for second place.
It’s a really interesting bunch of cars to face each other on a track. So check the video out below.
