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WATCH | Supra 2.0 takes on Audi RS Q8, but which of these two vehicles are heading to SA?

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• Toyota Supra drag races against Audi RS Q8.

• Toyota will not sell 2.0-litre Supra in SA.

• The RS Q8 will arrive locally in 2021.

For more motoring stories, go to www.Wheels24.co.za

Drag races are very popular, especially when unlikely rivals go up against each other.

In the latest race, the Toyota Supra 2.0 takes on the Audi RS Q8. From the off, the Supra has the cards stacked against it and only holds the advantage when it comes to weight and height. The video starts with the Supra driver blowing his horn three times, signalling the start of the race.

Despite having a substantial weight disadvantage, the RS Q8 took off like a rocket leaving the Supra in its dust. The Toyota did manage to hit 222km/h by the time the video ends, but it was nowhere near what the Audi made. Clearly.

Just keep in mind that the RS Q8 holds a 251kW power advantage over the Supra 2.0 and is fitted with Audi's famed Quattro system.


Diluting the formula

Both these vehicles are pretty good in own right and come with a set of credentials that warrant their place in the market. On the Supra, Toyota only has the model with the 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine on the local market. The car, sharing its drivetrain and underpinnings with the BMW Z4, is a real driver's car and offers impressive performance.

So impressive is the Supra 3.0 that it was voted as the 2020 South African sports car of the year. There is no suggestion that this car can't smoke the pipe.

REVIEW: Why the Toyota Supra can hold its own against the BMW Z4's criticism

Responding to Wheels24, Toyota South Africa says that it has no plans to bring the Supra 2.0 to South Africa. The automaker says that it is keeping with the tradition of offering a straight-six engine and, therefore, decided not to dilute the formula in SA. The Supra is the halo model in Toyota's sports car range, with the GT 86 doing duty at the lower end of its sports car range.

The Supra 3.0's engine produces 250kW and 500Nm, while the 2.0-litre Supra has 190kW/400Nm. Both engines are turbocharged, rear-wheel-drive, and fitted with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Toyota GR Supra

2020 Toyota GR Supra (Warren Wilson)

Surely the RS Q8 is coming… Right?

Bar the R8, the Q8 is the halo model in Audi's portfolio. It is an impressive vehicle with lots of things counting in its favour. As things stand, the Q8 range consist of two models: both powered by turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engines, in petrol and diesel guises.

It truly is a joy driving this SUV, and you will be forgiven for mistaking it for a much smaller car.

REVIEW: If 'Magnificent' were a car, it'd be the Audi Q8 45 TDI Quattro

But the RS Q8, what about it? Well, there is some good news: Audi South Africa confirmed to Wheels24 that this model is coming to our shores, with a planned introduction scheduled for the first quarter of 2021.

The Audi RS Q8 is powered by a turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine that produces 441kW and 800Nm. 0 - 100km/h takes 3.8 seconds, and top speed is limited to 250km/h.

Audi RS Q8

2021 Audi RS Q8 (Audi Media)

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