5 Most/Least Powerful Audi Vehicles Since 1990

Intro

Since the year 1990 Audi has sold dozens of different vehicle models in the U.S. And each year they get more technology, more safety equipment, and most importantly, more power. It is amazing to see the progress over the last 33 years. We tend to get spoiled by the horsepower figures of modern cars, and we forget how little power we had to make do with a couple of decades ago. So, we thought it would be a fun exercise to look at the most powerful and least powerful Audi models sold here since 1990.

One thing to call out about our list. We could have filled the entire list of least powerful cars with just the Audi 80 and 90 models and used just R8 models for the most powerful. But that would make for a boring list. So, we tried to spread it out a bit and include a few different models. Keep that in mind as you review this list of the most and least powerful models since 1990.

Image: Audi

Least Powerful # 5 – 2006 A3 (197 HP)

The Audi A3 was the smallest and most affordable vehicle Audi sold here in the mid-2000s. So, as you would expect, it was also among the least powerful. But that doesn’t mean it is a bad car. The 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder makes a healthy 197 horsepower. It is enough to propel the car to 60 mph in about 6.5 seconds. Not too shabby. It is the most powerful of our least powerful Audi vehicles.

Image: Audi

Most Powerful # 5 – 2020 – 2024 RS Q8 (591 HP)

And here we have the least powerful of our most powerful Audi vehicles. And it is an SUV. But not just any SUV. The RS Q8 shares a powertrain and chassis with the Lamborghini Urus. The Audi makes 591 horsepower thanks to a boosted 4.0L V8. Back in 1990 no one could have imagined that vehicles like this would ever exist. A big, comfy SUV that can rocket to 60 mph in about 3 seconds. We live in a wild time.

Image: Audi

Least Powerful # 4 – 2000 TT (180 HP)

The 2000 Audi TT shocked the world. Although that was mostly due to the avant-garde styling and not the little 1.8L turbocharged 4-cylinder making 180 horsepower. Over the years the TT would be blessed with more and more power. Eventually it made 400 horsepower in TT RS trim for the final year. More than double the output from its humble beginning.

Image: Audi

Most Powerful # 4 – 2023 Audi R8 GT (602 HP)

The fourth most powerful Audi on our list cracks the 600-horsepower barrier. There were a few Audi R8 models that made the same 602 horsepower as the R8 GT. But the R8 GT is the most powerful rear-wheel drive production Audi ever, so we are giving it the nod here over the others. Sadly, the R8 GT is the end of the road for the much-loved R8 line.

Image: Audi

Least Powerful # 3 – 1995 A6 Quattro (172 HP)

In 1995 Audi sent us the mid-size A6 sedan. It was a lovely car but the powerplant was not exactly cutting edge. It featured a 2.8L V6 which doesn’t seem too bad on paper. But the single overhead cam, two valves per cylinder design meant it could only muster an underwhelming 172 horsepower. The tepid performance may help explain why this 1996 A6 Avant sold on Bring a Trailer a couple years ago for just $5,100.

Image: Bring a Trailer

Most Powerful # 3 – 2016 – 2018 RS 7 Performance (605 HP)

In 2016 Audi upped the power ante in the RS 7 by offering a Performance model. Opting for the Performance model got you 45 more horsepower compared to the standard RS 7 that had to struggle with a meager 560 horsepower. With 605 horsepower on tap the RS 7 Performance could hit 60 mph in just over 3 seconds. And it would not run out of steam until you saw 190 mph on the speedometer.

Image: Audi

Least Powerful # 2 – 1996 A4 1.8T (150 HP)

The first-generation Audi is known as the B5, and it was produced from 1996 to 2001. And it was a smash hit. The tiny 1.8L turbo made just 150 horsepower, but numbers don’t tell the whole story. The handsome styling and quality materials helped this car sell extremely well. It basically reestablished the Audi brand in the U.S. after the damaging unintended acceleration fiasco a decade prior. The lovely example pictured here sold a couple years ago on Cars and Bids for just $6,250.

Image: Cars and Bids

Most Powerful # 2 – 2024 RS 6 Avant Performance (621 HP)

Unsurprisingly the newest car on our list is among the most powerful. At 621 horsepower the RS 6 Avant Performance puts out the same power as the equally impressive RS 7 Performance. We featured an older example of the RS 7 Performance previously, so now it is the turn of the RS 6 Avant. 0 to 60 mph in around 3 seconds, a glorious exhaust note and plenty of cargo space. What more could you ask for in an automobile?

Image: Audi

Least Powerful # 1 – 1990 80 (108 HP)

This is where we came from. The oldest car on the list is from 1990 and it is the humble Audi 80. The standard sedan was equipped with a 2.0L 4-cylinder making just 108 horsepower. If you stepped up to the quattro model, like the one pictured here that sold on Bring a Trailer a couple years ago, you would get a 2.3L 5-cylinder that made a whopping 130 horsepower. Audi has come a long way since 1990.

Image: Bring a Trailer

Most Powerful # 1 – 2022 – 2024 RS e-tron GT (637 HP)

Speaking of coming a long way. Who would have imagined in 1990 that for the 2024 model year the most powerful Audi would make a staggering 637 horsepower? Furthermore, who would have imagined that car would be powered by electricity instead of gasoline? Well, whether you predicted that or not, the RS e-tron GT is here and it is the most powerful Audi ever. 60 mph is reached in less than 3 seconds and other than a chirp from the tires, you hear nothing but the wind rushing by as you are catapulted forward. The most powerful Audi ever is also the most advanced.

Image: Audi