Performance Review: Audi A8 4.0 TDI Quattro - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A8 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A8 4.0 TDI Quattro is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Audi A8 has a 3936cc Turbo Diesel powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Diesel V8's includes the 2017 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Diesel

The A8 shares its Diesel V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2017 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Diesel and the 2013 Audi A8 4.2 TDi Quattro. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the A8's All Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1940 kgs (4276 lbs) this makes the Audi A8 4.0 TDI Quattro in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition Touring 3.0 xDrive or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi A8 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 3936cc 32V V8 engine produces 271 bhp (202 kW) @ 3750 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (290 bhp).

The Turbo V8 throws out 479 lb-ft (649.4 Nm) @ 1800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (460 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Audi A8 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2016 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Cabriolet (164.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A8.

The Audi A8 has a Power to weight ratio of 139.6 bhp per ton and 246.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 A8 competing with the 2016 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Cabriolet (164.6 bhp per ton) or the 1983 Ford Capri Tickford Turbo (164.6 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 A8 generating around 246.9 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 1996 TVR Cerbera 4.2 (271.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 428 Super Cobra Drag Pack 4 Speed (271.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.6 secs, this made the Audi A8 4.0 TDI Quattro as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the or the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs). This Audi A8 4.0 TDI Quattro is also faster than the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the and the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A8 and the 2017 BMW 5 Series 54.d xDrive Touring G31

When talking about the performance of the Audi A8 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.28 secs @ 89.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 BMW 5 Series 54.d xDrive Touring G31 (15.22 secs), the 1992 Mazda RX7 Turbo (15.23 secs), and the 2015 Ford Focus ST-3 2.0 Turbo Estate (15.24 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Audi A8 4.0 TDI Quattro has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 A8 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 2003 Audi A8 4.0 TDI Quattro 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:

2003 A8 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison