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AA4 40vsB220dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsA4 40 · 220d

Audi A4 40 TDI vs BMW 220d xDrive Gran Coupe F44: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

saloon · 2020 vs 2021 · Methodology
AudiDiesel

A4 40 TDI

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,575 kg · 2020

VS
BMWDieselFaster

220d xDrive Gran Coupe F44

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,565 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

AAudi A4 40 TDI

7.79 s

Gap0.36 sin favour of 220d xDrive Gran Coupe
BBMW 220d xDrive Gran Coupe F44

7.43 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureA4 40 TDI220d xDrive Gran Coupe F44Gap
0–100 km/h7.79 s7.43 s0.36 s · 220d xDrive Gran Coupe F44
400 m standing start15.77 s15.44 s0.33 s · 220d xDrive Gran Coupe F44
1,000 m standing start28.09 s28.31 s0.22 s · A4 40 TDI
Top speed (electronically limited)242 km/h231 km/h11 km/h · A4 40 TDI
Power-to-weight ratio8.29 kg/hp8.24 kg/hpbetter ratio · 220d xDrive Gran Coupe F44

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

AudiDieselA4 40 TDI
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel220d xDrive Gran Coupe F44
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
StageA4 40 TDI220d xDrive Gran Coupe F44
0–30 km/h2.16 s1.60 s
0–50 km/h3.61 s2.67 s
0–80 km/h5.84 s5.15 s
0–100 km/h7.79 s7.43 s
0–120 km/h10.28 s · tight gap10.38 s
0–160 km/h17.57 s19.12 s
0–200 km/h30.63 s36.34 s
400 m standing start15.77 s15.44 s
1,000 m standing start28.09 s28.31 s
Top speed242 km/h231 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

Audi

A4 40 TDI

8,29kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hpPending
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 575 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox7-speed S tronic
BMW

220d xDrive Gran Coupe F44

8,24kg/hpratio better by 0,05 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 565 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 220d xDrive Gran Coupe hits 100 km/h in 7.43 s versus 7.79 s for the A4 40 TDI. At this point, the 220d xDrive Gran Coupe leads by 0.36 s and sits roughly 17 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 220d xDrive Gran Coupe is doing 118 km/h against 122 km/h for the A4 40 TDI. The gap is 0.54 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the 220d xDrive Gran Coupe crosses the line in 15.43 s versus 15.77 s. The 0.33 s gap represents roughly 14 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The 220d xDrive Gran Coupe maxes out at 231 km/h while the A4 40 TDI keeps accelerating towards 242 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.14 s.

Around 750 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the A4 40 TDI overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 11 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the A4 40 TDI finishes in 28.08 s versus 28.31 s. The 0.22 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

What the numbers don’t tell you

The 220d xDrive Gran Coupe features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the A4 40 TDI’s FWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.

Electronically capped at 234 km/h, the 220d xDrive Gran Coupe never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor - it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.

With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (8.29 kg/hp vs 8.24 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.14 seconds. The 0.36 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

Instead of 220d xDrive Gran Coupe F44
BMW 420dBMW 420d xDriveBMW 420d

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A4 40 TDI vs 320d

BMWVSAudi

220d xDrive Gran Coupe vs A3 Sportback

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 220d xDrive Gran Coupe F44 wins (7,43 s vs 7,79 s).

A4 40 TDI goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,79 seconds (calibrated simulation).

A4 40 TDI: 190 hp, ratio 8,29 kg/hp. 220d xDrive Gran Coupe F44: 190 hp, ratio 8,24 kg/hp.

A4 40 TDI: 242 km/h. 220d xDrive Gran Coupe F44: 231 km/h.