Yesterday, we saw the beginning of a multi-part comparison test between the BMW M2, Porsche 718 Cayman S and Audi TT RS. The first part of the test was to weigh each car and compared their power and specs by putting each on a dyno. After learniing about the weight and power of each car, we learned that the Audi TT RS had the most power, the Porsche Cayman weighed the least and the BMW M2 was more powerful than the Porsche but heavier than both. Now, it’s time to put them to the test in a drag race. Although, it’s not a traditional side-by-side race.
Instead, each car will pull up to the starting line on its own and give its absolute best run. Each car will then be timed in its 0-30 mph, 0-60 mph, 0-100 mph and 0-130 mph times. Those times will then be compared with the other cars’ and that will determine the winner. Pretty simple.
The Audi TT RS goes first. It has a distinct advantage over the other two in this test. Not only does it have the most power but it’s also the only car to be all-wheel drive. It’s also lighter than the Bimmer, has a fast-shifting dual-clutch transmission and launch control. So it has a but of an unfair advantage in a drag race. But off it goes. From 0-30 mph, the TT RS gets there in 1.5 seconds, which is seriously quick. To 60 mph, it does it in 3.5 seconds, which is crazy fast for such a small car. To 100 mph, it takes 8.6 seconds which was Lamborghini speed when I was a kid. Finally, to 130 mph, it took 14.9 seconds.
Next up is the turn of the Porsche 718 Cayman S. With the least amount of power, only rear-wheel drive and a manual transmission, it’s at a pretty big disadvantage to the Audi. To get the right launch, the driver has to manage the revs, throttle and clutch all just right, whereas the TT RS just uses a simple launch control system. The Cayman launches with little drama compared to the Audi. So 0-30 mph happens in 1.9 seconds, which is still quick, but almost half a second slower than the Audi. 60 mph comes in a relatively lazy 4.6 seconds. It gets to 100 mph in 9.8 seconds and 130 mph in 16.3. So it really slows down, compared to the Audi, the higher the speed gets.
Lastly, it’s the BMW M2’s turn. It has more power than the Porsche but less than the Audi. Unfortunately for the Bimmer, it’s the heaviest of the bunch. Like the Porsche, it’s rear-wheel drive and came with a manual for this test. Because it has more torque than the Porsche, though, it has difficulty launching cleanly. At launch, it spins its wheels a bit too much, slowing it down. So 0-30 mph comes in 1.9 seconds and 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Those are identical numbers to the Porsche, showing its engine does a good job of overcoming its weight disadvantage. Sadly for the Bimmer, that ends there. To 100 mph, it took 10.7 seconds and 18.5 seconds to 130 mph. Those last to numbers are significantly slower than Porsche’s, making the BMW M2 the slowest car in the test.
So the Audi TT RS is by far the fastest of the bunch. Though, the other two cars’ rear-wheel drive nature and manual transmissions could bring them back ahead of the Audi in the next test, which will see which car is the most fun car around the track.
