Performance Review: Audi A8 S8 5.2 Quattro - [2005]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A8 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A8 S8 5.2 Quattro is the 6 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out in 2005. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8 and the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16.This particular Audi A8 has a 5204cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 10 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V10's includes the 2019 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10

The A8 shares its Petrol V10 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10 and the 2017 Lamborghini Huracan Performante 5.2 V10. 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 1940 kgs (4276 lbs) this makes the Audi A8 S8 5.2 Quattro in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition Touring 3.0 xDrive or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi A8 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp)

In terms of power the 5204cc 40V V10 engine produces 444 bhp (331 kW) @ 7000 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 V10 throws out 398 lb-ft (539.6 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (406 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 2016 Bentley Continental GT Speed 6.0 W12 Bi Turbo Convertible (253.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A8.

The Audi A8 has a Power to weight ratio of 228.8 bhp per ton and 205.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2005 A8 competing with the 2016 Bentley Continental GT Speed 6.0 W12 Bi Turbo Convertible (253.7 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Dodge Challenger SRT 8 392 6.4 V8 (253.7 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 205.1 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 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (230.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 1971 Jensen SP Automatic 7.2 V8 (229.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.3 secs, this made the Audi A8 S8 5.2 Quattro as fast as the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs) the or the 2017 Audi A6 3.0T Competition (5.10 secs). This Audi A8 S8 5.2 Quattro is also faster than the 2021 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Limited Edition (5.20 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (5.20 secs) the 2018 BMW X7 M50d 3.0 Turbo (5.20 secs) the and the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (5.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A8 and the 1995 Caterham Super 7 1.4 Supersport

When talking about the performance of the Audi A8 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.06 secs @ 104.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1995 Caterham Super 7 1.4 Supersport (13.00 secs), the 2012 BMW 1 Series M135i F20 (13.01 secs), and the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (13.01 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2005 version of the Audi A8 S8 5.2 Quattro has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2005 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 2005 Audi A8 S8 5.2 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:

2005 A8 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison