Performance Review: Audi A4 1.8T Avant - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A4 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A4 1.8T Avant 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 A4 has a 1798cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The A4 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the A4's Front Wheel Drive, Estate combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1470 kgs (3240 lbs) this makes the Audi A4 1.8T Avant in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi A4 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1798cc 16V St4 engine produces 158 bhp (117 kW) @ 6200 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 184 lb-ft (249.4 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Audi A4 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2001 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.3 V5 (132.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A4.

The Audi A4 has a Power to weight ratio of 107.4 bhp per ton and 125.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 A4 competing with the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.3 V5 (132.3 bhp per ton) or the 1989 Toyota Celica GT Four ST185 (132.2 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 A4 generating around 125.1 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 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP 3.9 V6 (150.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 1986 Lancia Thema 2.9 V8 8.32 (150.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.2 secs, this made the Audi A4 1.8T Avant as fast as the 2005 Suzuki Swift 1.6 VVT Sport (8.90 secs) the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Omega 3.2 V6 Automatic (8.90 secs) the 1990 Volvo 940 2.3 Turbo (8.90 secs) the or the 1990 Alfa-Romeo 33 1.7 Boxer Cloverleaf (8.90 secs). This Audi A4 1.8T Avant is also faster than the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (9.00 secs) the 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (9.00 secs) the 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi (9.00 secs) the and the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (9.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A4 and the 2016 BMW Z4 sDrive28i

When talking about the performance of the Audi A4 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.87 secs @ 81.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2016 BMW Z4 sDrive28i (16.81 secs), the 2010 Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari 1.4 Turbo (16.81 secs), and the 1985 Volkswagen-VW Polo GT G40 1.3 Supercharged (16.82 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the Audi A4 1.8T Avant has a maximum speed of 140mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 A4 equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2008 Audi A4 1.8T Avant then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph), the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (151 mph), or the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Edition 30 DSG (151 mph).

Related Links:

2008 A4 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison