Performance Review: Audi A3 2.0tdi Quattro S-Line - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A3 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A3 2.0tdi Quattro S-Line is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.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 1345 kgs (2965 lbs) this makes the Audi A3 2.0tdi Quattro S-Line in the same weight category as the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12 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 170 bhp (126 kW) @ 4200 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 258 lb-ft (349.8 Nm) @ 2500 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 2007 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.8 20v Turbo (151.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A3.

The Audi A3 has a Power to weight ratio of 126.3 bhp per ton and 191.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 A3 competing with the 2007 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.8 20v Turbo (151.2 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.8 20VT (151.2 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 191.8 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 1968 Lamborghini Islero 3.9L V12 (216.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 4.7 V8 (216.8 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 2.0tdi Quattro S-Line as fast as the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (7.90 secs) the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TDI (7.90 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps Sportshift (7.90 secs) the or the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (7.90 secs). This Audi A3 2.0tdi Quattro S-Line 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 1993 Audi Coupe S2 2.2T Quattro

When talking about the performance of the Audi A3 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.72 secs @ 87.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Audi Coupe S2 2.2T Quattro (15.65 secs), the 2002 Ford Focus RS (15.65 secs), and the 1971 Maserati Indy 4.7 V8 (15.65 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the Audi A3 2.0tdi Quattro S-Line has a maximum speed of 138mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 A3 equals the 2022 Porsche 911 Dakar 3.0 Turbo 992 II (149 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2008 Audi A3 2.0tdi Quattro S-Line then how about the 2022 Porsche 911 Dakar 3.0 Turbo 992 II (149 mph), the 2022 BMW i7 xDrive60 (149 mph), or the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (149 mph).

Related Links:

2008 A3 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison