In recent years, SUVs may have been stealing sales from vans, however brands do not seem ready to give up on this format and thanks to this we continue to have “sports” vans like the Audi S4 Avant, BMW M340i Touring and Volvo V60 T8.
Interestingly, each one adopts a different mechanic, thus revealing the vision of the respective brands about what a sportier van should be.
Faced with these different mechanical solutions, a question remains in the mind of any petrolhead: which is the fastest? To find out, our Carwow colleagues resorted to the method most often used to resolve these doubts, ie, they put them face to face in a drag race.
the competitors
With the only common elements between the three vans being the body shape and the use of all-wheel drive systems and eight-speed automatic transmissions, it's time to let you know their numbers.
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Starting with the Audi S4 Avant, the only one with a diesel engine, this uses a 3.0 V6 TDI that is associated with a mild-hybrid 48V system and offers 347 hp and 700 Nm. These figures ensure that the 1,825 kg of the S4 Avant can reach up to to 100 km/h in 4.9s and up to 250 km/h of top speed.
Weighing 1745 kg, the BMW M340i xDrive Touring (that's its full name) has a turbocharged six-cylinder in-line turbo with 3.0 L petrol capable of delivering 374 hp and 500 Nm that allow it to reach 100 km/h in just 4, 5s and a top speed of 250 km/h.
Finally, the Volvo V60 T8 presents itself with a plug-in hybrid mechanic that “marries” a 2.0 l four-cylinder petrol turbo to an electric motor for a maximum combined power of 392 hp and a torque of 640 Nm.
Heavier than its rivals (the scale says 1990 kg), the V60 T8 reaches 100 km/h in 4.9s but, like all Volvos, its top speed is limited to 180 km/h.
After the introductions, will the greatest power of the Swedish van arrive to beat its German rivals? Or does the greater weight end up “passing the bill”? For you to find out, we leave you the video here: