Performance Review: Audi A8 4.2 TDi Quattro - [2013]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A8 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A8 4.2 TDi Quattro is the 8 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2013. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2014 Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous Performance and the 2014 Koenigsegg One 1 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo.This particular Audi A8 has a 4134cc 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 2007 Audi Q7 4.2 TDi. 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 2115 kgs (4662 lbs) this makes the Audi A8 4.2 TDi Quattro in the same weight category as the 2019 Porsche Taycan 4S or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi A8 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 4134cc 32V V8 engine produces 380 bhp (283 kW) @ 3750 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (360 bhp).

The Turbo V8 throws out 627 lb-ft (850.0 Nm) @ 2000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Convertible (650 lb-ft) or the 2022 Lamborghini Urus Performante Twin Turbo (627 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 1967 Aston-Martin DBS Vantage Coupe 4.0 12v (204.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi A8.

The Audi A8 has a Power to weight ratio of 179.6 bhp per ton and 296.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2013 A8 competing with the 1967 Aston-Martin DBS Vantage Coupe 4.0 12v (204.6 bhp per ton) or the 2009 Lotus Evora 3.5 V6 (204.4 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 A8 generating around 296.4 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 2016 Mercedes E Class 63 S AMG 4Matic Saloon (320.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Mercedes CLK DTM Cabriolet (320.6 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 A8 4.2 TDi Quattro 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 A8 4.2 TDi Quattro 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 A8 and the 1992 BMW 8 Series 850 CSi 5.6 V12 E31

When talking about the performance of the Audi A8 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.04 secs @ 97.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1992 BMW 8 Series 850 CSi 5.6 V12 E31 (14.00 secs), the 2014 Bentley Mulsanne Speed 6.8 V8 Turbo (14.00 secs), and the 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (14.01 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2013 version of the Audi A8 4.2 TDi Quattro has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2013 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 2013 Audi A8 4.2 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:

2013 A8 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison