Performance Review: Audi A4 RS4 4.2 FSI Cabriolet - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A4 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A4 RS4 4.2 FSI Cabriolet is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2006. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8 and the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8.This particular Audi A4 has a 4165cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The A4 shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the A4's All Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1845 kgs (4067 lbs) this makes the Audi A4 RS4 4.2 FSI Cabriolet in the same weight category as the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Convertible or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi A4 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp)

In terms of power the 4165cc 32V V8 engine produces 414 bhp (308 kW) @ 7800 rpm similar to the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (395 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 317 lb-ft (429.7 Nm) @ 5500 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 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 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 2014 Porsche Boxster GTS (249.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A4.

The Audi A4 has a Power to weight ratio of 224.3 bhp per ton and 171.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 A4 competing with the 2014 Porsche Boxster GTS (249.0 bhp per ton) or the 1995 Caterham Super 7 1.6 16v (249.0 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 A4 generating around 171.8 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 1979 Pontiac Firebird 6.6L Trans Am (196.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1963 Aston-Martin DB5 1963 (196.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.1 secs, this made the Audi A4 RS4 4.2 FSI Cabriolet as fast as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.90 secs) the or the 2020 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Touring (4.90 secs). This Audi A4 RS4 4.2 FSI Cabriolet is also faster than the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 Turbo FL5 (5.00 secs) the and the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (5.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A4 and the 2013 Maserati Ghibli S 3.0 V6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Audi A4 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.92 secs @ 105.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Maserati Ghibli S 3.0 V6 Turbo (12.86 secs), the 1986 Ferrari 328 GTB 3.2 V8 (12.86 secs), and the 1968 Dodge Coronet Super Bee 6.3 V8 383 (12.87 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the Audi A4 RS4 4.2 FSI Cabriolet has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 A4 equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2006 Audi A4 RS4 4.2 FSI Cabriolet then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2006 A4 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison