Performance Review: Audi A8 4.2 V8 Quattro - [1999]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi A8 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi A8 4.2 V8 Quattro is the 5 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out in 1999. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the .This particular Audi A8 has a 4172cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The A8 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 A8's All Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1725 kgs (3802 lbs) this makes the Audi A8 4.2 V8 Quattro in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW 4 Series M4 CSL 3.0 Twin Turbo G82 or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi A8 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 4172cc 32V V8 engine produces 310 bhp (231 kW) @ 6200 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 302 lb-ft (409.4 Nm) @ 3000 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 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 179.7 bhp per ton and 175.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1999 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 175.0 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 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 (200.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1983 Bentley Mulsanne 6.8 V8 Turbo (200.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.5 secs, this made the Audi A8 4.2 V8 Quattro as fast as the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (7.30 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (7.30 secs) the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD DSG 2.0 Turbo Diesel (7.30 secs) the or the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Insignia 2.0 SIDI Turbo 4x4 (7.30 secs). This Audi A8 4.2 V8 Quattro is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue (7.40 secs) the 2013 KIA Pro Ceed GT 1.6 Turbo (7.40 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper S Paceman (7.40 secs) the and the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Beetle 2.0 TSi Cabriolet (7.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A8 and the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SE

When talking about the performance of the Audi A8 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.18 secs @ 96.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SE (14.11 secs), the 2012 Tesla Model S 85 kWh (14.11 secs), and the 2012 Lexus LS 600h (14.11 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1999 version of the Audi A8 4.2 V8 Quattro has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 1999 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 1999 Audi A8 4.2 V8 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:

1999 A8 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison