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

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A3 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback is the 6 speed / Auto 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 1500 kgs (3306 lbs) this makes the Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi A3 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 1968cc 16V St4 engine produces 181 bhp (134 kW) @ 3500 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 280 lb-ft (379.6 Nm) @ 1750 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 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 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 1967 Triumph TR5 2.5L (145.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A3.

The Audi A3 has a Power to weight ratio of 120.6 bhp per ton and 186.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2016 A3 competing with the 1967 Triumph TR5 2.5L (145.6 bhp per ton) or the 1997 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.8 VR6 4MOTION (145.6 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 186.6 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 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 2.0 Blue HDI 180 (211.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 1964 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS 283 V8 Turbo Fire (211.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.8 secs, this made the Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback as fast as the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (6.60 secs) the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (6.60 secs) the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TSI 2.0 Turbo (6.60 secs) the or the 2013 Peugeot 208 GTi 1.6 Turbo (6.60 secs). This Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback is also faster than the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (6.70 secs) the 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.70 secs) the 2012 Dodge Charger SXT Blacktop 3.6L V6 (6.70 secs) the and the 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo (6.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A3 and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range

When talking about the performance of the Audi A3 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.1 secs @ 84.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (16.03 secs), the 1999 Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro (16.04 secs), and the 2009 Ford Fiesta ST185 (16.06 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2016 version of the Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback has a maximum speed of 143mph.

Top Speed of the 2016 A3 equals the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 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 S-tronic Quattro Sportback then how about the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph), the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph), or the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (154 mph).

Related Links:

2016 A3 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison