New Ducati Panigale V4 S Drag Races 925bhp Audi EV

A brand new Ducati Panigale V4 S has been put to the test against an Audi E-Tron GT RS electric car, and the results are incredibly close.

Coming in at 843bhp, the Audi can rise to 925bhp thanks to its launch control. The car costs around £143,780 which is more than four times the price of the Panigale V4 S. Speaking of Ducati’s all-new shiny superbike toy, which we tested earlier this year, it comes in at a mammoth 216bhp and costs £29,995. 

When the two vehicles line up at the start the opening run is dominated by the Audi as its launch control gives it a healthy advantage. The Panigale V4 S gets close to pulling back the sizable margin but eventually runs out of road.

Mat Watson of Carwow, who is in charge of driving the E-Tron GT RS car calls it a practice run, something he might go on to regret as Ducati’s test and development rider, Alessandro Valia, becomes increasingly comfortable as he rockets his Panigale V4 S off the line.

On all three ensuing starts, the Audi powers forward and creates a lead, but Valia is able to use the Ducati’s stunning power to make it very close come the finish line. The Audi is a four-wheel drive and boosted by the launch control it quickly shows the Panigale V4 S a clean pair of heels.

The Ducati’s power-to-weight ratio, even with the additional rider weight, is more than double that of the E-Tron, which allows it to deliver devastating speed as Valia clicks through the gears. 

But that’s not all, as a second challenge soon followed as Watson and Valia competed in four ½ mile rolling drag races. Watson sneakily adds stipulations such as Valia starting one of the races in sixth gear whilst riding at 100k km/h (roughly 62mph), which meant his revs were way too low to accelerate with any effectiveness.

When there was no stipulation, the Ducati was able to stretch its legs and make Watson worried at the wheel of the RS, making quick work of the revs and closing in on the electric vehicle. It was only when Watson told Valia not to downshift and leave it in third that the Audi clearly held an advantage.

The last challenge to take place was an emergency stop from 160km/h (around 100mph), and surely this is where the Audi would reign supreme? But it was actually a lot closer than we imagined. The new Panigale V4 S has a whopping seven ABS settings and Valia started with the safest ABS level and this helped deliver a very close finish.

Another stopping test takes place as Watson reduces the air pressure in his tyres, while Valia goes for one of the bike’s less restrictive race ABS settings.

But it’s clear that Ducati’s new Panigale V4 S was more than a match for the Audi in nearly every area. Both vehicles are at the top of the respective performance ranges for Ducati and Audi, making this a very even and fair comparison. But who won? Watch the video below to find out.

For a full rundown of what’s new on the Ducati’s newest superbike monster, check out our Panigale V4 review here.

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