Performance Review: Audi A8 4.2 Quattro - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A8 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A8 4.2 Quattro is the 6 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out in 2006. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8 and the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8.This particular Audi A8 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 A8 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 A8's All Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1800 kgs (3968 lbs) this makes the Audi A8 4.2 Quattro in the same weight category as the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage V12 5.2 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi A8 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 4163cc 32V V8 engine produces 345 bhp (257 kW) @ 6800 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 325 lb-ft (440.6 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 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 A8 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1969 AMC AMX 6.4L V8 7030 (216.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A8.

The Audi A8 has a Power to weight ratio of 191.6 bhp per ton and 180.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 A8 competing with the 1969 AMC AMX 6.4L V8 7030 (216.6 bhp per ton) or the 2001 Mercedes C Class 32 AMG (216.5 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 A8 generating around 180.5 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 1992 BMW 8 Series 850 CSi 5.6 V12 E31 (205.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (205.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.3 secs, this made the Audi A8 4.2 Quattro as fast as the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the or the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTI 2.0 Turbo DSG (6.10 secs). This Audi A8 4.2 Quattro is also faster than the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (6.20 secs) the and the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (6.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A8 and the 1973 Ferrari 308 GT/4 3.0L V8

When talking about the performance of the Audi A8 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.87 secs @ 98.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1973 Ferrari 308 GT/4 3.0L V8 (13.80 secs), the 1989 Lotus Esprit S3 Turbo SE (13.80 secs), and the 1998 Honda NSX 3.2 V6 (13.81 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the Audi A8 4.2 Quattro has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 A8 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 2006 Audi A8 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:

2006 A8 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison