Performance Review: Audi A5 Sportback 3.0 TDI - [2011]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A5 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A5 Sportback 3.0 TDI is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2011. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2011 SSC Tuatara 6.9L V8 Twin Turbo.This particular Audi A5 has a 2967cc Turbo Diesel powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Diesel V6's includes the 2019 Audi A4 S4 TDI 3.0 V6

The A5 shares its Diesel V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Audi A4 S4 TDI 3.0 V6 and the 2016 Audi A6 3.0 TDI BiTurbo Quattro Tiptronic. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the A5's All Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1770 kgs (3902 lbs) this makes the Audi A5 Sportback 3.0 TDI in the same weight category as the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi A5 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 2967cc 24V V6 engine produces 242 bhp (180 kW) @ 4000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Turbo V6 throws out 369 lb-ft (500.2 Nm) @ 1400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Audi A5 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1961 Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 (161.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A5.

The Audi A5 has a Power to weight ratio of 136.7 bhp per ton and 208.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2011 A5 competing with the 1961 Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 (161.7 bhp per ton) or the 1989 Lotus Elan SE (161.4 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 A5 generating around 208.4 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 Aston-Martin DB9 5.9 V12 (233.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2019 BMW X6 M Competition 4.4 V8 Turbo F85 (233.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.0 secs, this made the Audi A5 Sportback 3.0 TDI as fast as 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 or the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs). This Audi A5 Sportback 3.0 TDI is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A5 and the 1990 Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Audi A5 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.41 secs @ 88.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1990 Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo (15.34 secs), the 2006 Infiniti M45 4.5 V8 Sport (15.34 secs), and the 1992 Jaguar XJ R-S 6.0 V12 (15.34 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2011 version of the Audi A5 Sportback 3.0 TDI has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2011 A5 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 2011 Audi A5 Sportback 3.0 TDI 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:

2011 A5 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison