Performance Review: Audi A4 2.8 Quattro - [1996]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A4 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A4 2.8 Quattro is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1996. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1 4.7l V12.This particular Audi A4 has a 2771cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The A4 shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the A4's All Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1481 kgs (3265 lbs) this makes the Audi A4 2.8 Quattro 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 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 2771cc 24V V6 engine produces 193 bhp (143 kW) @ 6000 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 Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 193 lb-ft (261.6 Nm) @ 6000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 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 2003 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Turbo (155.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A4.

The Audi A4 has a Power to weight ratio of 130.3 bhp per ton and 130.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1996 A4 competing with the 2003 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Turbo (155.3 bhp per ton) or the 1965 Ford Falcon 2nd Gen Sprint Hardtop 289 V8 4-Speed (155.2 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 130.3 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 1993 BMW 3 Series M3 E36 (155.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2004 Audi TT 3.2 V6 Quattro (155.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.4 secs, this made the Audi A4 2.8 Quattro as fast as the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 2.0 Blue HDI 180 (8.10 secs) the 2008 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth (8.10 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 (8.10 secs) the or the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.0 Turbo SRI (8.10 secs). This Audi A4 2.8 Quattro is also faster than the 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR (8.20 secs) the 2005 Land-Rover Range Rover 4.4 V8 (8.20 secs) the 2003 BMW X5 3.0d (8.20 secs) the and the 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (8.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A4 and the 1989 Porsche 944 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Audi A4 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.53 secs @ 88.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1989 Porsche 944 Turbo (15.47 secs), the 2001 Ford Mustang 4th Gen Bullitt GT (15.47 secs), and the 1971 Pontiac Tempest GT-37 6.6 V8 (15.48 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1996 version of the Audi A4 2.8 Quattro has a maximum speed of 142mph.

Top Speed of the 1996 A4 equals the 2014 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (153 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1996 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro then how about the 2014 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (153 mph), the 2004 BMW X5 4.8is V8 (153 mph), or the 2002 Dodge Neon 2.4 SRT-4 (153 mph).

Related Links:

1996 A4 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison