Performance Review: Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro - [2016]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A3 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2016. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 6.2 V8 and the 2016 Bugatti Chiron 8.0 W16 Quad Turbo.This particular Audi A3 has a 1968cc Turbo Diesel powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Diesel St4's includes the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d XDrive

The A3 shares its Diesel St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d XDrive and the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the A3's All Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1435 kgs (3163 lbs) this makes the Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi A3 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1968cc 16V St4 engine produces 148 bhp (110 kW) @ 3500 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 251 lb-ft (340.3 Nm) @ 1750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Audi A3 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1973 Triumph Dolomite Sprint (128.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A3.

The Audi A3 has a Power to weight ratio of 103.1 bhp per ton and 174.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2016 A3 competing with the 1973 Triumph Dolomite Sprint (128.1 bhp per ton) or the 1991 Renault 19 1.8 16V (128.0 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 A3 generating around 174.9 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 1962 Lincoln Continental 7.0L V8 (199.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 (199.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.2 secs, this made the Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro as fast as the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TDI (7.90 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps Sportshift (7.90 secs) the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (7.90 secs) the or the 2009 KIA Borrego 4.6 V8 AWD (7.90 secs). This Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro is also faster than the 2011 Citroen DS5 1.6 THP 200 (8.00 secs) the 2009 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (8.00 secs) the 2008 Alfa-Romeo Mito 1.4 155 T-Jet Veloce (8.00 secs) the and the 2007 Fiat Bravo 1.9 Sport Multijet (8.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A3 and the 2007 Volkswagen-VW Touareg 4.2 V8 FSI

When talking about the performance of the Audi A3 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.8 secs @ 81.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 Volkswagen-VW Touareg 4.2 V8 FSI (16.73 secs), the 2003 Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTi T-Sport 190 (16.74 secs), and the 1955 Mercedes SL Class 300SL Gullwing W198 (16.74 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2016 version of the Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro has a maximum speed of 133mph.

Top Speed of the 2016 A3 equals the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (144 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro then how about the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (144 mph), the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (144 mph), or the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (144 mph).

Related Links:

2016 A3 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison