Tom Beardsmore of WAM Barn and Mat Watson of Carwow staged a first-ever rolling drag race to determine the ultimate hypercar. The two cars? The Porsche 918 Spyder and the Koenigsegg Agera RS. Both have powerful V8 engines, but they are very different in how they are built and how they drive. Chose to drive Porsche 918 Spyder, Mat Watson openly discussed his deliberate choice to avoid the Agera RS. Watson admitted the Swedish hypercar’s tricky handling, turbo lag, and massive power made it an intimidating prospect. He joked that he was being a ‘smart chicken’ by picking the Porsche, which he said is more reliable and easier to drive. The race wasn’t a regular drag race. Instead, they did rolling starts to test how each car delivers power. The first started at 10 mph, the second at 40 mph, and the third at 60 mph. Tom said this format made sense because the Porsche is better at launches, while the Agera works best in rolling conditions. Unique Engines and UpgradesMat Watson chose the Porsche 918 Spyder for this race. It’s a rare car with all-wheel drive and a mix of power from its V8 engine and two electric motors. This combination makes it both fast and reliable. Tom Beardsmore drove the Agera RS, which is completely different. It uses a twin-turbo V8 engine and rear-wheel drive for raw power. The Agera RS can run on regular 93-octane fuel or E85 ethanol, while the Porsche needs high-octane petrol. However, the Agera in this race isn’t your average model. Known as RST, it’s a one-of-one commission. Originally named after its first owner, it was renamed in 2023 to honour its current owner. This unique Agera RS features a striking Josh Blue finish and the XS aero package. It has also been upgraded with Koenigsegg’s 1-megawatt package, boosting its output to 1,341 horsepower and 1,011 pound-feet of torque when using an ethanol mix. These upgrades make it even more powerful than the original Agera RS, which had 1,160 horsepower. Lighter Build Gives Agera RS the EdgeBoth the Agera RS and Porsche 918 Spyder use advanced dual-clutch transmissions with seven gears. But the two hypercars differ sharply in weight. According to Koenigsegg, the Agera RS weighs just 1,395 kilograms (3,075 pounds). This is much lighter than the Porsche 918, even with its Weissach performance package. The Porsche’s added weight comes from its electric motors, high-voltage battery, and charging system. While this gives the 918 Spyder all-wheel drive and hybrid efficiency, it also makes it heavier on the track. The first race, a 10-mph roll in first gear, was close. The Porsche used its all-wheel drive to hold its ground. However, in the second race, starting at 40 mph in second gear, the Agera RS pulled far ahead. By the third race at 60 mph in third gear, the gap was smaller, but the Agera still crossed the line first. No exact pull figures were shared for mid-speed tests, but it’s clear the Agera RS is the faster car. In 2017, it reached an incredible 284 mph (457 km/h) on a Nevada highway. The Porsche, by comparison, has a top speed of 215 mph (345 km/h) on paper, with independent tests hitting 219 mph (352 km/h). Source: WAM Barn/YouTube
