Performance Review: Audi A4 S4 4.2 Quattro Cabriolet - [2004]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A4 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A4 S4 4.2 Quattro Cabriolet is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2004. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 and the 2005 SSC Aero SC 8T 6.3L.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, Cabriolet combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1855 kgs (4089 lbs) this makes the Audi A4 S4 4.2 Quattro 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 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 4163cc 40V V8 engine produces 339 bhp (252 kW) @ 7000 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (348 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 302 lb-ft (409.4 Nm) @ 3500 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 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X RS (207.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A4.

The Audi A4 has a Power to weight ratio of 182.7 bhp per ton and 162.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2004 A4 competing with the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X RS (207.7 bhp per ton) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (207.6 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 162.8 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 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GTR (187.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Seat Leon Cupra R 2.0 20v (187.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.9 secs, this made the Audi A4 S4 4.2 Quattro Cabriolet as fast as the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (5.70 secs) the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi 2.0 Turbo Clubsport (5.70 secs) the or the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo (5.70 secs). This Audi A4 S4 4.2 Quattro Cabriolet is also faster than the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs) the and the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A4 and the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Audi A4 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.83 secs @ 98.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (13.77 secs), the 1971 Maserati Bora 4.7 V8 (13.78 secs), and the 2017 Audi A6 3.0T Competition (13.78 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2004 version of the Audi A4 S4 4.2 Quattro Cabriolet has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2004 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 2004 Audi A4 S4 4.2 Quattro 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:

2004 A4 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison