Audi 5000 0–60 Times
The Audi 5000 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 7 recorded performance tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Car and Driver, Motor Week and VW & Porsche Magazine and more.
The fastest tested Audi 5000 is the 1980 Audi 5000 Turbo Sedan, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 9.40 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 16.90 seconds at 81.0 mph, according to Car and Driver.
The slowest tested Audi 5000 is the 1983 Audi 5000 Turbo Diesel Sedan, which took 15.90 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 20.40 seconds at 68.0 mph, according to Car and Driver.
Out of all the Audi 5000 tests in our database, the average 0–60 mph time is 11.14 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 17.84 seconds at 77.71 mph.
Fastest 0–60
9.40sec
1980 Turbo Sedan · stock
Average 0–60
11.14sec
Across 7 runs
Avg ¼ Mile
17.84sec
@ 77.7 mph trap
Slowest 0–60
15.90sec
1983 Turbo Diesel
Across 7 verified runs, the Audi 5000 ranges from 9.40 to 15.90 seconds 0–60, with a 11.14-second average.
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Audi 5000 Performance Overview
Audi’s 5000 performance profile spans 1979 to 1987 in this dataset, covering 7 verified tests across the C2 and C3 eras. Early U.S.-market cars established the baseline with the 1979 S Sedan reaching 60 mph in 12.2 seconds, before the C2 range moved to forced induction. That shift produced the model’s quickest recorded launch: the 1980 Turbo Sedan at 9.4 seconds 0-60. Across C2 tests, output ranged from 100 to 130 hp, with naturally aspirated and turbocharged gasoline engines both represented.
The C3 generation, introduced for this nameplate in 1983 model-year testing, broadened the 5000’s powertrain mix and stretched the performance spread. Gasoline and diesel versions appear in the data, from the 84-hp 1983 Turbo Diesel Sedan, the slowest run here at 15.9 seconds to 60 mph, to the 140-hp Quattro models. The best C3 result came from the 1986 CS Quattro Sedan, which posted 9.5 seconds 0-60 and the line’s quickest quarter-mile, a 16.5-second pass at 84 mph. As covered here, the 5000 finishes its run as a mid-size sedan range defined by gasoline and diesel variety, turbocharging, and Quattro traction in its later performance peak.
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Audi 5000 0–60 Times by Generation: C2 to C3
2 generations| Generation | Years | Avg 0–60 | Fastest 0–60 | Tests | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C3 | 1983–1991 | 11.28s | 9.50s — 1986 CS Quattro Sedan | 5 | The C3 generation (1983–1991) averaged 11.28 seconds to 60 mph across 5 tests, led by the 1986 CS Quattro Sedan at 9.50 seconds. Output ranged from 84 to 140 hp across 2.0L Turbo Diesel I-5, 2.1L I-5, 2.1L Turbo I-5, 2.2L Turbo I-5, 2.3L I-5 configurations. |
| C2 | 1977–1983 | 10.80s | 9.40s — 1980 Turbo Sedan | 2 | The C2 generation (1977–1983) averaged 10.80 seconds to 60 mph across 2 tests, led by the 1980 Turbo Sedan at 9.40 seconds. Output ranged from 100 to 130 hp across 2.1L I-5, 2.1L Turbo I-5 configurations. |
C3
1983–1991
Avg 0–60
11.28s
Fastest
9.50s
Tests
5
1986 CS Quattro Sedan
The C3 generation (1983–1991) averaged 11.28 seconds to 60 mph across 5 tests, led by the 1986 CS Quattro Sedan at 9.50 seconds. Output ranged from 84 to 140 hp across 2.0L Turbo Diesel I-5, 2.1L I-5, 2.1L Turbo I-5, 2.2L Turbo I-5, 2.3L I-5 configurations.
C2
1977–1983
Avg 0–60
10.80s
Fastest
9.40s
Tests
2
1980 Turbo Sedan
The C2 generation (1977–1983) averaged 10.80 seconds to 60 mph across 2 tests, led by the 1980 Turbo Sedan at 9.40 seconds. Output ranged from 100 to 130 hp across 2.1L I-5, 2.1L Turbo I-5 configurations.
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Audi 5000 0–60 Times by Year and Trim
7 tests · 6 years
▾
1987 Audi 5000
1 verified run
Avg 0–60
9.70
sec
Avg ¼ Mile
17.00
sec
Recorded Tests
1
#03
1987 Audi 5000 S Quattro Sedan
9.70sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
17.00s
¼ mi @ 81.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 9.70 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 17.00 sec
- Trap Speed
- 81.0 mph
- Engine
- 2.3L I-5
- Drivetrain
- AWD
- Transmission
- 5M
- Horsepower
- 130 hp
- Torque
- 140 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 3,300 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 25.4 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 16 C / 22 H / 20 Obs
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Sedan
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Car and Driver
- Overall Rank
- #3 of 7
How we verify Audi 5000 performance data
We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Audi 5000 trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.
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Audi 5000 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution
0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is fasterEach dot is a recorded test run
0–60 →
¼ mile →
Fastest
Recorded run
Slowest
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Audi 5000 performance FAQs
11 questions
The 1987 Audi 5000 S Quattro Sedan reaches 60 mph in 9.7 seconds. Its quarter-mile time is 17.0 seconds at 81 mph. That test car made 130 hp and 140 lb-ft, used Audi's NG engine, and sent power to all four wheels through an AWD layout.
The quickest Audi 5000 on record is the 1980 Turbo Sedan, with a 0-60 time of 9.4 seconds. Across all 7 verified Audi 5000 tests, that remains the model's best launch figure. It is also a stock car, so the overall and stock leaders are the same here.
The fastest stock Audi 5000 is the 1980 Turbo Sedan at 9.4 seconds from 0-60 mph. All 7 Audi 5000 tests on record are production vehicles, so there is no modified car faster than that. It stands as both the quickest stock example and the quickest overall example.
Across 7 verified Audi 5000 tests, the average 0-60 time is 11.14 seconds. Average quarter-mile performance is 17.84 seconds at 77.7 mph. The quickest example runs 0-60 in 9.4 seconds, while the slowest recorded Audi 5000 reaches 60 mph in 15.9 seconds.
The C2 Audi 5000, covering 1977 to 1983, averages 10.8 seconds from 0-60 mph across 2 recorded tests. The fastest C2 is the 1980 Turbo Sedan at 9.4 seconds. C2 cars on record span 100-130 hp and include both naturally aspirated and turbocharged gasoline powertrains.
The fastest C2 Audi 5000 is the 1980 Turbo Sedan, which posts a 9.4-second 0-60 time. Within the second-generation range of 1977 to 1983, that is the best acceleration result on record. The C2 generation averages 10.8 seconds across its 2 documented tests.
The C3 Audi 5000, sold from 1983 to 1991, averages 11.28 seconds from 0-60 mph across 5 tests. Its quickest result is 9.5 seconds from the 1986 CS Quattro Sedan. C3 examples on record range from 84 to 140 hp and include gasoline and diesel versions.
The fastest C3 Audi 5000 is the 1986 CS Quattro Sedan, with a 0-60 time of 9.5 seconds. That narrowly trails the all-time Audi 5000 leader by 0.1 second. Within the third generation, it is also the quickest quarter-mile car at 16.5 seconds and 84 mph.
The CS Quattro Sedan is quicker. The Audi 5000 CS Quattro runs 0-60 in 9.5 seconds, while the 1987 S Quattro Sedan does it in 9.7 seconds. That gives the CS Quattro a 0.2-second edge to 60 mph, making it the faster Quattro-badged Audi 5000 in recorded testing.
The slowest Audi 5000 on record is the 1983 Turbo Diesel Sedan, which reaches 60 mph in 15.9 seconds. That result also helps define the spread of the lineup, from 9.4 seconds at the quick end to 15.9 seconds at the slow end. It belongs to the C3 generation.
The fastest Audi 5000 quarter-mile result is 16.5 seconds at 84 mph from the 1986 CS Quattro Sedan. Across all 7 tests, the model averages 17.84 seconds at 77.7 mph in the quarter mile. The 1987 S Quattro Sedan runs close behind with a 17.0-second pass at 81 mph.
Sources
Car and Driver
Motor Week
VW & Porsche Magazine
0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what an Audi 5000 can do, not a single marketing claim.
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Other Audi 0–60 times
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