Performance Review: Audi A5 RS5 4.2 V8 Cabriolet - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A5 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A5 RS5 4.2 V8 Cabriolet is the 7 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged.This particular Audi A5 has a 4163cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The A5 shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the A5's All Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1850 kgs (4078 lbs) this makes the Audi A5 RS5 4.2 V8 Cabriolet in the same weight category as the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Convertible or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi A5 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp)

In terms of power the 4163cc 32V V8 engine produces 444 bhp (331 kW) @ 8250 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 317 lb-ft (429.7 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Audi A5 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Mercedes CLS Class 63 AMG Shooting Brake (264.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A5.

The Audi A5 has a Power to weight ratio of 240.0 bhp per ton and 171.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 A5 competing with the 2012 Mercedes CLS Class 63 AMG Shooting Brake (264.9 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Maserati Quattroporte GTS 3.8 V8 Biturbo (264.8 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 A5 generating around 171.3 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 1988 Aston-Martin Volante 5.3L V8 (196.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2011 BMW 3 Series M3 CRT E90 (196.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.8 secs, this made the Audi A5 RS5 4.2 V8 Cabriolet as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i 3.0 Cabrio Turbo F23 (4.60 secs) the or the 2020 Audi A3 S3 Saloon (4.60 secs). This Audi A5 RS5 4.2 V8 Cabriolet is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (4.70 secs) the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo AWD (4.70 secs) the and the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A5 and the 1993 Mercedes E Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 W124

When talking about the performance of the Audi A5 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.86 secs @ 106.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Mercedes E Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 W124 (12.80 secs), the 2019 Toyota Supra GR RZ 3.0 Turbo (12.81 secs), and the 2017 BMW X6 xDrive50i 4.4 V8 F16 (12.81 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Audi A5 RS5 4.2 V8 Cabriolet has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 A5 equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Audi A5 RS5 4.2 V8 Cabriolet then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2012 A5 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison