Over 0–100 km/h, A4 40 TDI and 420d Convertible G22 are neck and neck (7,75 s vs 7,79 s, no significant gap).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | A4 40 TDI | 420d Convertible G22 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7.79 s | 7.75 s | 0.04 s · 420d Convertible G22 |
| 400 m standing start | 15.77 s | 15.64 s | 0.13 s · 420d Convertible G22 |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28.09 s | 28.69 s | 0.60 s · A4 40 TDI |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 242 km/h | 236 km/h | 6 km/h · A4 40 TDI |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 8.29 kg/hp | 9.34 kg/hp | better ratio · A4 40 TDI |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | A4 40 TDI | 420d Convertible G22 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2.16 s | 1.52 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3.61 s | 2.64 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5.84 s | 5.29 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.79 s | 7.75 s · tight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 10.28 s | 10.87 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 17.57 s | 20.11 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 30.63 s | 37.54 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15.77 s | 15.64 s · tight gap |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28.09 s | 28.69 s |
| Top speed | 242 km/h | 236 km/h |
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
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 | 190 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 775 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the 420d Convertible hits 100 km/h in 7.75 s versus 7.79 s for the A4 40 TDI. The 0.04 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the 420d Convertible is doing 116 km/h against 122 km/h for the A4 40 TDI. The gap is 0.44 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.
At 400 metres standing start, the 420d Convertible crosses the line in 15.64 s versus 15.77 s. The 0.13 s gap represents roughly 5 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The 420d Convertible maxes out at 236 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 492 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the A4 40 TDI overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 6 km/h higher top speed.
At 1,000 metres, the A4 40 TDI finishes in 28.08 s versus 28.69 s. The 0.61 s delta in favour of the A4 40 TDI shows that top speed makes a clear difference.
Electronically capped at 236 km/h, the 420d Convertible 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 9.34 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.82 seconds. The 0.04 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 and 420d Convertible G22 are neck and neck (7,75 s vs 7,79 s, no significant gap).
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. 420d Convertible G22: 190 hp, ratio 9,34 kg/hp.
A4 40 TDI: 242 km/h. 420d Convertible G22: 236 km/h.