From carwow.
Change your car with Carwow: https://bit.ly/-change-your-car-0503
This might just be one of the most unusual drag races we’ve ever lined up on Carwow!
Mat’s brought together 11 completely different cars, ranging from a small, affordable electric hatchback to one of the most powerful performance estates ever built. Some of the cars in this race are fully electric, several are plug-in hybrids, and others rely on traditional turbocharged petrol engines. With such a varied mix of drivetrains, power outputs and weights, the results might not be as predictable as you think.
Let’s take a closer look at the cars taking part.
The least powerful car in the race is the 2026 Citroen e-C3, a small electric hatchback designed to offer affordable EV driving. It produces 113hp and 125Nm of torque from a single electric motor, and it weighs around 1,440kg. Like most electric cars, it uses a single-speed automatic gearbox.
Next up is the 2026 Peugeot 208 1.2 Hybrid 136, which combines a small turbocharged petrol engine with mild-hybrid assistance. This setup produces 136hp and 230Nm of torque from a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, and the car weighs about 1,228kg. Power is delivered through a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
Representing plug-in hybrid technology is the BYD Seal 6 DM-i Touring, which combines electric and petrol power to deliver around 184hp and approximately 300Nm of torque. Its 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid engine works with an E-CVT hybrid transmission, and the car weighs 1,710kg.
Moving further up the power ladder we have the Skoda Octavia vRS. This practical performance hatchback produces 265hp and 370Nm of torque from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It weighs approximately 1,570kg and uses a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
Producing the same horsepower figure is the Volkswagen Tiguan 265hp. Despite being an SUV, it shares a similar turbocharged engine layout. It produces 265hp and 400Nm of torque from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, weighs 1,750kg, and uses a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
Next in the line-up is the Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor, a large electric SUV. It produces 299hp and 490Nm of torque from a single electric motor, but it’s also one of the heaviest cars here at 2,500kg. Like most EVs, it uses a single-speed automatic transmission.
After that comes the sporty Cupra Formentor VZ3. This performance SUV produces 310hp and 400Nm of torque from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It weighs 1,640kg and uses a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
Next up is the 2026 Audi S5 Avant, which brings a more traditional performance setup. It produces 362hp and 550Nm of torque from a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine. The car weighs 1,995kg and sends power through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
The 2026 Omoda 9 Noble PHEV AWD Auto comes next with a powerful plug-in hybrid system producing around 449hp and 700Nm of torque. It uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged plug-in hybrid engine, weighs 2,200kg, and is paired with a hybrid automatic transmission.
Another powerful plug-in hybrid estate in the race is the 2026 Volvo V60 Ultra T8 PHEV AWD. This car produces 455hp and 709Nm of torque thanks to a 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder plug-in hybrid system. It weighs 2,100kg and uses an 8-speed automatic gearbox.
Finally, at the top of the power rankings is the 2026 BMW M5 Touring, which is by far the most powerful car in the line-up. This performance estate combines a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine with plug-in hybrid technology to produce an incredible 727hp and 1,000Nm of torque. It weighs 2,550kg and sends power through an 8-speed automatic gearbox.
So with everything from small hatchbacks to massive hybrid performance estates taking part, the stage is set for a seriously unpredictable race. Will the lightweight cars get the best launch? Will the electric and hybrid cars use their instant torque advantage? Or will the sheer power of the BMW M5 Touring make it impossible to beat?
There’s only one way to find out… watch the drag race!
If you enjoyed the video, don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe to Carwow, and make sure you turn on notifications so you never miss one of our drag races.
Long termer garage & Mat’s M5: https://bit.ly/LTR-Garage
