Over 0–100 km/h, 520d G30 wins (7,56 s vs 7,79 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 | 520d G30 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,79 s | 7,56 s+0,23 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,77 s | 15,48 s+0,29 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,09 s−0,62 s | 28,71 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 242 km/h+17 km/h | 225 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 8,29 kg/hpbetter ratio | 9,37 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 | 520d G30 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2,16 s | 1,25 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,61 s | 2,41 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,84 s | 5,04 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,79 s | 7,56 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 10,28 s | 10,87 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 17,57 s | 20,60 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 30,63 s | 41,41 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,77 s | 15,48 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,09 s | 28,71 s |
| Top speed | 242 km/h | 225 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 | 190 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 780 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the Bmw 520d hits 100 km/h in 7.56 s versus 7.79 s for the A4 40 TDI. At this point, the Bmw 520d leads by 0.23 s and sits roughly 22 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 520d is doing 115 km/h against 122 km/h for the A4 40 TDI. The gap is 0.65 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 520d crosses the line in 15.48 s versus 15.77 s. The 0.29 s gap represents roughly 12 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Bmw 520d maxes out at 225 km/h while the A4 40 TDI keeps accelerating towards 242 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.03 s.
Around 579 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the A4 40 TDI overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 17 km/h higher top speed.
At 1,000 metres, the A4 40 TDI finishes in 28.08 s versus 28.71 s. The 0.63 s delta in favour of the A4 40 TDI shows that top speed makes a clear difference.
Electronically capped at 225 km/h, the Bmw 520d 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 9.37 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 0.23 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, 520d G30 wins (7,56 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. 520d G30: 190 hp, ratio 9,37 kg/hp.
A4 40 TDI: 242 km/h. 520d G30: 225 km/h.