Performance Review: Audi A6 4.2 Quattro - [1998]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A6 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A6 4.2 Quattro is the 5 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1998. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the .This particular Audi A6 has a 4172cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The A6 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 A6's All Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1729 kgs (3811 lbs) this makes the Audi A6 4.2 Quattro in the same weight category as the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 Auto or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi A6 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 4172cc 40V V8 engine produces 300 bhp (223 kW) @ 6200 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 295 lb-ft (399.9 Nm) @ 3000 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 Coupe 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 A6 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2009 Infiniti G37 3.7 V6 S (198.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A6.

The Audi A6 has a Power to weight ratio of 173.5 bhp per ton and 170.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1998 A6 competing with the 2009 Infiniti G37 3.7 V6 S (198.4 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.5 Turbo (198.3 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 A6 generating around 170.6 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 1989 Lotus Esprit S3 Turbo SE (195.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 1995 Maserati Quattroporte 2.8 V6 (195.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.1 secs, this made the Audi A6 4.2 Quattro as fast as the 2015 Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Coupe (6.90 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 V6 Supercharged (6.90 secs) the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.90 secs) the or the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (6.90 secs). This Audi A6 4.2 Quattro is also faster than the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the and the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A6 and the 1963 Aston-Martin DB5 1963

When talking about the performance of the Audi A6 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.24 secs @ 96.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1963 Aston-Martin DB5 1963 (14.17 secs), the 2013 Volvo S60 T6 3.0 Turbo (14.18 secs), and the 2009 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 R DSG (14.20 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1998 version of the Audi A6 4.2 Quattro has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 1998 A6 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 1998 Audi A6 4.2 Quattro 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:

1998 A6 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison