BYD Dolphin Boost 150kW vs Audi A4 40 TDI: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Dolphin Boost 150kW hits 100 km/h in 6.93 s versus 7.79 s for the A4 40 TDI. The instant torque of 290 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Dolphin Boost 150kW leads by 0.86 s and sits roughly 10 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Dolphin Boost 150kW is doing 126 km/h against 122 km/h for the A4 40 TDI. The gap is 0.51 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Dolphin Boost 150kW crosses the line in 15.13 s versus 15.77 s. The 0.63 s gap represents roughly 26 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Dolphin Boost 150kW maxes out at 160 km/h while the A4 40 TDI keeps accelerating towards 242 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.56 s.

Around 839 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the A4 40 TDI overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 82 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the A4 40 TDI finishes in 28.08 s versus 28.66 s. The 0.58 s delta in favour of the A4 40 TDI shows that top speed makes a clear difference.

Electronically capped at 160 km/h, the Dolphin Boost 150kW 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.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.76 seconds. The 0.86 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.