Performance Review: Audi A4 RS4 Avant 4.2L V8 - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A4 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A4 RS4 Avant 4.2L V8 is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged.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 1870 kgs (4122 lbs) this makes the Audi A4 RS4 Avant 4.2L V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi A4 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp)

In terms of power the 4163cc 32V V8 engine produces 444 bhp (331 kW) @ 8250 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 317 lb-ft (429.7 Nm) @ 4000 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 2010 Subaru Impreza STI CS 400 - Cosworth - Hatch (262.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A4.

The Audi A4 has a Power to weight ratio of 237.4 bhp per ton and 169.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 A4 competing with the 2010 Subaru Impreza STI CS 400 - Cosworth - Hatch (262.4 bhp per ton) or the 2017 BMW 3 Series M3 F80 (262.0 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 169.5 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 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 (194.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (194.4 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 4.2L 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 4.2L V8 is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (4.70 secs) the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo (4.70 secs) the 2020 BMW X4 M40d 3.0 Turbo (4.70 secs) the and the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo AWD (4.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A4 and the 1993 Mercedes E Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 W124

When talking about the performance of the Audi A4 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.81 secs @ 106.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Mercedes E Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 W124 (12.80 secs), the 2019 Toyota Supra GR RZ 3.0 Turbo (12.81 secs), and the 2017 BMW X6 xDrive50i 4.4 V8 F16 (12.81 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Audi A4 RS4 Avant 4.2L V8 has a maximum speed of 174mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 A4 equals the 2015 Aston-Martin Vantage GT3 5.9 V12 (185 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Audi A4 RS4 Avant 4.2L V8 then how about the 2015 Aston-Martin Vantage GT3 5.9 V12 (185 mph), the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo (185 mph), or the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 S PDK 991 (185 mph).

Related Links:

2012 A4 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison