My mates stage 2 (530bhp) RS3 hit 196mph with ease... How?

[///MFrankie]

Let's get the elephant out of the room, this is stupid speed on public roads, you can go to prison for that here, I'm not condoning this kind of driving, I think it's reckless.

Secondly, I wasn't personally in the car but my other mate was in the passenger seat and recorded it on video and I've seen it with my own eyes.

Thirdly, how?

For context, the video starts at like 180mph and get gets to 196mph within 10-15 seconds, it looks like he chooses to back off there but it could have had more, the way it climbed there it wouldn't surprise me if the thing hit 200mph.

So wtf is going on here? I know they are fast, I've heard the stories and read but this fast? Really? this is supercar level now, from an A3 with a bigger engine? He reckons it is running 530bhp. At what point do aero dynamics and gearing come into things then because unless I saw that video I would have said it was not possible, 180mph, yeah. 185mph... Maybe. But 196mph... come on.

What's worse is it looked effortless. I just couldn't imagine an M2 comp or F8x M3/4 with that power being able to do that but why? I'm inclined to think his speedo is out or something like they have tuned it to be 20mph faster or something but this is wishful thinking I think

What is going on here gents?

[Alfisti]

Does it really matter? Will never understand fascination with top end or 0-60 times.

[________]

What video?
VW cars are historical liars on speedometers. I think 200 is more like a true 180 or even less.
Not sure how they compare at that speed as this isn’t something I’m too familiar with, there’s not a lot of evidence for modified cars running top speed, like there is for 1/4 mile for example.

[///MFrankie]

Originally Posted by Onesie

What video?
VW cars are historical liars on speedometers. I think 200 is more like a true 180 or even less.
Not sure how they compare at that speed as this isn’t something I’m too familiar with, there’s not a lot of evidence for modified cars running top speed, like there is for 1/4 mile for example.

It was on snapchat so it's gone now.

That's interesting you say that, my initial thoughts were the speedo is out, massively.

Before this, he had an S3 running 400bhp and he used to claim he would get 190mph out of it and I always argued against it.

[________]

Originally Posted by ///MFrankie

It was on snapchat so it's gone now.

That's interesting you say that, my initial thoughts were the speedo is out, massively.

Before this, he had an S3 running 400bhp and he used to claim he would get 190mph out of it and I always argued against it.

I’ve seen a video of a modified 135i with MHD stage 2+ (which is ~380hp) doing 180 mph on the autobahn. So it might be true.

Not sure how “easy”. I have the same car but never got up to that speed. After 140 you can feel there’s a lot more resistance and speed climb much more slowly (obviously). Quick to 140 though.

So I guess the speed is possible, we’re just debating on how “easy” it is to get there. Didn’t see the video in question, but there’s some effort getting there. Perhaps 530hp make it simple.

[///MFrankie]

Originally Posted by Onesie

I’ve seen a video of a modified 135i with MHD stage 2+ (which is ~380hp) doing 180 mph on the autobahn. So it might be true.

Not sure how “easy”. I have the same car but never got up to that speed. After 140 you can feel there’s a lot more resistance and speed climb much more slowly (obviously). Quick to 140 though.

So I guess the speed is possible, we’re just debating on how “easy” it is to get there. Didn’t see the video in question, but there’s some effort getting there. Perhaps 530hp make it simple.

I mean, it could be possible. I did read guys saying that stage 1 RS3's doing 10.5 1/4 mile times and 0-60 sub 3.

I guess modern technology plus tuning makes cars rockets these days.

Me and him go back and forth all the time, he brags about straight line speed (as all Audi boys do) and I argue back with lack of driving experience and AWD being boring and too easy.

Wait til my next come back is your speedo is 20mph out

[Burrcold]

Why is anyone surprised by the RS3? Without too much work, they hit ~200 mph, 0-60 in 3 seconds or less, and 1/4 mile times in the 10 second range (many sub 10 second).

[///MFrankie]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

Why is anyone surprised by the RS3? Without too much work, they hit ~200 mph, 0-60 in 3 seconds or less, and 1/4 mile times in the 10 second range (many sub 10 second).

I knew they were quick, I just didn't think they were THAT quick.

But if it is then fair play, it's a weapon.

[Humdizzle]

modded rs3s and ttrs cars are fast. they'll dip into 9s with bolt ons and new turbo. dont even have to open the engine or trans.

f8x cars can be made fast too but they lack the traction to put it down at any reasonable speed.

here's one beating a plaid

[ky0u]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

I guess modern technology plus tuning makes cars rockets these days.

Could also be the gearing, not sure how the ratios are setup on them. But yes the RS3's are beasts. Would love to have one, too bad we dont get the sportbacks out here

[chad86tsi]

Top speed is dictated by drag coefficient, suitable gearing, and horse power.

A variety of cars have hit 200 HP with less HP, the viper was doing that speed with ~460 HP 20 years ago, and it's coefficient sucked. It did however have the power and gearing.

Pretty much any 500 HP sedan or sports car should be able to break 200, and those that don't merely lack appropriate gearing.

The Ferrari F40 was one of the first street cars to break 200 over 30 years ago, and that was with a 2.9 liter motor and under 500 HP.

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by ///MFrankie

So wtf is going on here? I know they are fast, I've heard the stories and read but this fast? Really? this is supercar level now, from an A3 with a bigger engine? He reckons it is running 530bhp. At what point do aero dynamics and gearing come into things then because unless I saw that video I would have said it was not possible, 180mph, yeah. 185mph... Maybe. But 196mph... come on.

First, more information is needed because I'm quite certain that an A3 isn't geared for 196 mph.

Secondly, I can absolutely guarantee you that if you were looking at the stock speedometer it was very off. The only other thing I'll say is that most speedometers read optimistic, and end up getting more and more optimistic as speed increases.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

First, more information is needed because I'm quite certain that an A3 isn't geared for 196 mph.

Secondly, I can absolutely guarantee you that if you were looking at the stock speedometer it was very off. The only other thing I'll say is that most speedometers read optimistic, and end up getting more and more optimistic as speed increases.

He's talking about an RS3 not an A3 and you don't need to know if the speedo is off or not, they easily get to 200+ with simple bolt ons and a tune. It's one of the easiest cars to get big power on (on the stock DSG tranny).

[chad86tsi]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

He's talking about an RS3 not an A3 and you don't need to know if the speedo is off or not, they easily get to 200+ with simple bolt ons and a tune. It's one of the easiest cars to get big power on (on the stock DSG tranny).

I ran the numbers on an online calculator using RS3 transmission gearing, final drive, tire size, and power peak PRM figures, it would break 200 right around peak HP in top gear, with some revs to spare. All it would need was the HP, and 530 should be plenty.

[Red Bread]

Just for the record, my GTI, same MQB chassis as the RS3, is about 2% optimistic at any speed. My M Coupe was over 10% off, it would read 172 at the governed 155 vMax. I'd also bet that the RS3 is hitting vMax in 5th or 6th, which are 0.79 and 0.76, not 7th which is 0.63.

[Our03z4]

Originally Posted by ///MFrankie

I knew they were quick, I just didn't think they were THAT quick.

But if it is then fair play, it's a weapon.

My A8L 4.0T does 0-60 in 3.9 and it's an almost 5k lb car. With RS7 turbos, tune and exhaust, all of which is minimal work mind you, it can run 0-60 in the 2s. The Awd system is insane, literally can't get mine to break traction even in the rain. Audi has some amazing cars...in a straight line. All the power has a downside though, curves, way too much weight in the front. The engines pull like a freight train, truly doesn't seem like there is an end to the power. Doesn't surprise me how fast your friends is.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by chad86tsi

Top speed is dictated by drag coefficient, suitable gearing, and horse power.

A variety of cars have hit 200 HP with less HP, the viper was doing that speed with ~460 HP 20 years ago, and it's coefficient sucked. It did however have the power and gearing.

Pretty much any 500 HP sedan or sports car should be able to break 200, and those that don't merely lack appropriate gearing.

The Ferrari F40 was one of the first street cars to break 200 over 30 years ago, and that was with a 2.9 liter motor and under 500 HP.

Aero is probably the number one problem, optimize aero for downforce and handling and top speed will suffer considerably. Compromises with gearing too, most over-drive or top end gears are for economy and the car would theoretically do 250-300+ if you could max the revs in that gear, but aero and other factors mean you can't, so to have this (decent economy in top end gear) and decent acceleration, you have to compromise, rather than just all acceleration.

Aero though is so huge. Drag increases as the square of velocity, so it may take 200hp to go 140, 400hp to go 180 and 800hp to go 200. Obviously it doesn't always, but the exponential increase is like that and the Cd is the biggest factor here. If you are just doing drag racing, likely not a big deal, but if you are pushing a car during a track race, you are going to want aero to be helping you keep the car planted...which will be taking speed off the top end that you'd achieve on a runway or something.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by ///MFrankie

Let's get the elephant out of the room, this is stupid speed on public roads, you can go to prison for that here, I'm not condoning this kind of driving, I think it's reckless.

Secondly, I wasn't personally in the car but my other mate was in the passenger seat and recorded it on video and I've seen it with my own eyes.

Thirdly, how?

For context, the video starts at like 180mph and get gets to 196mph within 10-15 seconds, it looks like he chooses to back off there but it could have had more, the way it climbed there it wouldn't surprise me if the thing hit 200mph.

So wtf is going on here? I know they are fast, I've heard the stories and read but this fast? Really? this is supercar level now, from an A3 with a bigger engine? He reckons it is running 530bhp. At what point do aero dynamics and gearing come into things then because unless I saw that video I would have said it was not possible, 180mph, yeah. 185mph... Maybe. But 196mph... come on.

What's worse is it looked effortless. I just couldn't imagine an M2 comp or F8x M3/4 with that power being able to do that but why? I'm inclined to think his speedo is out or something like they have tuned it to be 20mph faster or something but this is wishful thinking I think

What is going on here gents?

i'm not sure why you are surprised?

many cars can hit that without a speed limiter and enough straight road when you add a few bolt ons and feed it lots of petrol

[wtwo3]

How about a 6MT hitting those speeds

[chad86tsi]

Originally Posted by RM7

Aero is probably the number one problem, optimize aero for downforce and handling and top speed will suffer considerably. Compromises with gearing too, most over-drive or top end gears are for economy and the car would theoretically do 250-300+ if you could max the revs in that gear, but aero and other factors mean you can't, so to have this (decent economy in top end gear) and decent acceleration, you have to compromise, rather than just all acceleration.

Aero though is so huge. Drag increases as the square of velocity, so it may take 200hp to go 140, 400hp to go 180 and 800hp to go 200. Obviously it doesn't always, but the exponential increase is like that and the Cd is the biggest factor here. If you are just doing drag racing, likely not a big deal, but if you are pushing a car during a track race, you are going to want aero to be helping you keep the car planted...which will be taking speed off the top end that you'd achieve on a runway or something.

The RS3 has a Cd of .34, so it's fine.

A previously mentioned viper has a larger frontal area (bigger car) and worse Cd and does 200 with ~460 HP. It also requires the use of 5th gear at redline, 6th is too tall for the task. The ACR version of the viper topped out in the 190's in any gear, too much drag from the aero.

[x622]

I call bullshit. I had a full Stage 2 E85 RS3 with everything as far as you can go with the exception of a big turbo and it fell on it's face after about 130. I never took it up to 170+ because I never had enough road to go that far, and because it was so out of breath at that point.

Big turbo or something else, sure, but not just "Stage 2". I've also been in built TTRS's and they're a hoot. I am still considering building one as a toy, but not sure if I want to. The handling does suck.

[Fined]

Not really that big a deal. I hit 176mph (indicated) in my TTRS very easily out in the desert on the way back home from Iroz Motorsports. The car was still pulling hard and gaining speed. I had stage II hardware and a built engine but I think the car would've been able to do that with just stage 2 (APR) and some good gas. Car was a hoot in a straight line but yes they don't handle worth a shit.