Over 0–100 km/h, A4 40 TDI wins (7,79 s vs 9,13 s).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| A4 40 TDI | 318d F30 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,79 s−1,34 s | 9,13 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,77 s−0,79 s | 16,56 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,09 s−2,42 s | 30,51 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 242 km/h+33 km/h | 209 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 8,29 kg/hpbetter ratio | 10,45 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | A4 40 TDI | 318d F30 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2,16 s | 1,65 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,61 s | 3,00 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,84 s | 6,15 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,79 s | 9,13 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 10,28 s | 12,95 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 17,57 s | 25,23 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 30,63 s | 61,46 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,77 s | 16,56 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,09 s | 30,51 s |
| Top speed | 242 km/h | 209 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 190 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 575 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 143 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 320 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 495 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed automatic (Steptronic) |
Off the line, the A4 40 TDI hits 100 km/h in 7.79 s versus 9.13 s for the Bmw 318d. Despite the faster sprint time, the Bmw 318d is 4 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.
At 200 metres, the A4 40 TDI is doing 122 km/h against 109 km/h for the Bmw 318d. The gap is 0.14 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the A4 40 TDI crosses the line in 15.77 s versus 16.56 s. The 0.79 s gap represents roughly 29 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the A4 40 TDI continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 171 km/h versus 151 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the A4 40 TDI finishes in 28.08 s versus 30.51 s, with a 2.43 s lead.
Electronically capped at 210 km/h, the Bmw 318d 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 10.45 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 15.33 seconds. The 1.34 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Over 0–100 km/h, A4 40 TDI wins (7,79 s vs 9,13 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. 318d F30: 143 hp, ratio 10,45 kg/hp.
A4 40 TDI: 242 km/h. 318d F30: 209 km/h.