Performance Review: Audi 80 2.3 20v Quattro - [1989]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi 80 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi 80 2.3 20v Quattro is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1989. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10.This particular Audi 80 has a 2309cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 5 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St5's includes the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo

The 80 shares its Petrol St5 engine configuration with the likes of the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo and the 2018 Audi TT RS 2.5 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 80's All Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1275 kgs (2810 lbs) this makes the Audi 80 2.3 20v Quattro in the same weight category as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi 80 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 2309cc 20V St5 engine produces 168 bhp (125 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St5 throws out 162 lb-ft (219.6 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Audi 80 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2002 Alfa-Romeo 156 GTA 3.2 V6 (156.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi 80.

The Audi 80 has a Power to weight ratio of 131.7 bhp per ton and 127.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1989 80 competing with the 2002 Alfa-Romeo 156 GTA 3.2 V6 (156.7 bhp per ton) or the 1971 Ford Mustang 351 5.8 V8 Convertible (156.6 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Audi 80 generating around 127.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2004 Lotus Exige S2 1.8 (152.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2002 Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 (152.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.6 secs, this made the Audi 80 2.3 20v Quattro as fast as the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (8.30 secs) the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (8.30 secs) the 2005 Peugeot 407 3.0 V6 Coupe (8.30 secs) the or the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi (8.30 secs). This Audi 80 2.3 20v Quattro is also faster than the 2007 Seat Ibiza 1.8 20vt FR (8.40 secs) the 2006 Peugeot 207 CC GT (8.40 secs) the 2003 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.2 16V (8.40 secs) the and the 1996 Peugeot 106 16v GTi (8.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 80 and the 1992 Rover 200 220 Coupe Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Audi 80 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.52 secs @ 88.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1992 Rover 200 220 Coupe Turbo (15.45 secs), the 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX - Blobeye (15.45 secs), and the 2008 BMW X5 4.8i V8 (15.45 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1989 version of the Audi 80 2.3 20v Quattro has a maximum speed of 140mph.

Top Speed of the 1989 80 equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1989 Audi 80 2.3 20v Quattro then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph), the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (151 mph), or the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Edition 30 DSG (151 mph).

Related Links:

1989 80 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison