Over 0–100 km/h, A4 40 TDI wins (7,79 s vs 8,57 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 | 318i Touring G20 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,79 s−0,78 s | 8,57 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,77 s−0,47 s | 16,24 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,09 s−1,65 s | 29,74 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 242 km/h+22 km/h | 220 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 8,29 kg/hpbetter ratio | 10,06 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 | 318i Touring G20 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2,16 s | 1,70 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,61 s | 2,97 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,84 s | 5,87 stight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,79 s | 8,57 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 10,28 s | 12,04 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 17,57 s | 22,62 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 30,63 s | 45,71 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,77 s | 16,24 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,09 s | 29,74 s |
| Top speed | 242 km/h | 220 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 | 156 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 250 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 570 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the A4 40 TDI hits 100 km/h in 7.79 s versus 8.57 s for the 318i Touring. Despite the faster sprint time, the 318i Touring is 7 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.
At 200 metres, the 318i Touring is doing 112 km/h against 122 km/h for the A4 40 TDI. The gap is 0.02 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 16.23 s. The 0.47 s gap represents roughly 18 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 156 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the A4 40 TDI finishes in 28.08 s versus 29.74 s, with a 1.66 s lead.
Electronically capped at 220 km/h, the 318i Touring 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 10.06 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 14.16 seconds. The 0.78 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 8,57 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. 318i Touring G20: 156 hp, ratio 10,06 kg/hp.
A4 40 TDI: 242 km/h. 318i Touring G20: 220 km/h.