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• The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio takes on the Audi RS5 and outgoing BMW M4.
• All three cars are turbocharged and sport six-cylinder engines.
• For more motoring stories, go to www.Wheels24.co.za
This is a rather special drag race. The new BMW M4 is ready for its world debut this month, so the team at Carwow have lined it up against the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, and the Audi RS5.
All three performance cars sport turbocharged V6 motors, but only the Audi sends its power to all four wheels.
Audi RS5
The latest ditches the V8 engine and is now powered by a 2.9 TFSI V6 bi-turbo engine, which Audi says is brand new, and has a claimed output of 331kW/600Nm – 170Nm more than the model it replaces. But the same 331kW as the previous 4.2-litre V8 powered RS 5. Hmm, don't we all want more power?
Against the clock, Audi claims it'll reach 100km/h from standstill in a claimed 3.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 250km/h – the limiter can be removed enabling the needle to reach 280km/h.
The RS5 offers prodigious grip thanks to its quattro all-wheel-drive system. It's gives the driver oodles of confidence heading into corners and it's difficult to find the car's limit because its tolerances are so incredibly high.
The RS5 is the heaviest of the three and tips the scale at 1700 kilograms.
BMW M4
The M4 has a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged straight-six engine named S55 with 317kW and 550Nm. It uses a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox to channel power exclusively to the rear wheels.
It has a launch control system that offers the optimum revs to rapidly get off the line. The BMW weighs 1650 kilograms.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
The 2.9 litre V6 Bi-Turbo engine powers the top-of-the-range QV version, delivering 375kW/600Nm; top speed is rated at 307km/h, and it rockets to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds.
The sportiest Giulia weighs 1520 kilograms thanks to the use of lots of carbon fibre.
Don't forget it has a Ferrari engine under the bonnet. This is a seriously quick car, and one of our favourite high-performance sedans.
Which performance car do you reckon will take home the bragging rights? Watch the video below and find out.
Carwow says: "Well the Alfa Romeo's powered by a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6, producing 375kW and 600Nm. As for the Audi, the 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 under the bonnet puts down 331kw and 600Nm, while the BMW produces 317kW and 550Nm thanks to its 3-litre straight-six twin-turbo!"
