Over 0–100 km/h, A4 40 TFSI wins (7,28 s vs 7,74 s).
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 TFSI | 420i xDrive G22 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,28 s−0,46 s | 7,74 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,36 s−0,25 s | 15,61 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,08 s−0,64 s | 28,72 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 232 km/h | 234 km/h−2 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,97 kg/hpbetter ratio | 8,64 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 TFSI | 420i xDrive G22 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,67 s | 1,38 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,79 s | 2,58 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,10 s | 5,26 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,28 s | 7,74 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 10,10 s | 10,94 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 18,44 s | 20,29 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 34,86 s | 38,25 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,36 s | 15,61 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,08 s | 28,72 s |
| Top speed | 232 km/h | 234 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 | 320 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 515 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 184 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 300 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 590 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the A4 40 TFSI hits 100 km/h in 7.28 s versus 7.74 s for the 420i xDrive. Despite the faster sprint time, the 420i xDrive is 2 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 TFSI is doing 119 km/h against 115 km/h for the 420i xDrive. The gap is 0.05 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the A4 40 TFSI crosses the line in 15.36 s versus 15.61 s. The 0.25 s gap represents roughly 10 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the A4 40 TFSI continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 165 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the A4 40 TFSI finishes in 28.08 s versus 28.71 s, with a 0.64 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (232 vs 234 km/h), preventing any comeback.
The 420i xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the A4 40 TFSI’s FWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.
Electronically capped at 238 km/h, the 420i xDrive 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 (7.97 kg/hp vs 8.64 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.85 seconds. The 0.46 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 TFSI wins (7,28 s vs 7,74 s).
A4 40 TFSI goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,28 seconds (calibrated simulation).
A4 40 TFSI: 190 hp, ratio 7,97 kg/hp. 420i xDrive G22: 184 hp, ratio 8,64 kg/hp.
A4 40 TFSI: 232 km/h. 420i xDrive G22: 234 km/h.