Performance Review: Audi A4 RS4 Avant 4.2 V8 - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A4 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A4 RS4 Avant 4.2 V8 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 4163cc 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, Estate combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1710 kgs (3769 lbs) this makes the Audi A4 RS4 Avant 4.2 V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo 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 4163cc 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 2013 Aston-Martin Vantage V8 SP10 (267.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A4.

The Audi A4 has a Power to weight ratio of 242.1 bhp per ton and 185.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 A4 competing with the 2013 Aston-Martin Vantage V8 SP10 (267.0 bhp per ton) or the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 Auto (267.0 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 185.3 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 2003 Alfa-Romeo 156 2.4 JTD (210.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2003 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 996 (210.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.8 secs, this made the Audi A4 RS4 Avant 4.2 V8 as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i 3.0 Cabrio Turbo F23 (4.60 secs) the or the 2020 Audi A3 S3 Saloon (4.60 secs). This Audi A4 RS4 Avant 4.2 V8 is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (4.70 secs) the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo AWD (4.70 secs) the and the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A4 and the 2002 Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst

When talking about the performance of the Audi A4 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.61 secs @ 108.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst (12.55 secs), the 2013 BMW X5 4.4 V8 XDrive50i (12.55 secs), and the 1969 AMC AMX 6.4L V8 7030 (12.59 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the Audi A4 RS4 Avant 4.2 V8 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 Avant 4.2 V8 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