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

Off the line, the Dolphin Boost 150kW hits 100 km/h in 6.93 s versus 7.28 s for the A4 40 TFSI. The instant torque of 290 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. Despite the faster sprint time, the A4 40 TFSI is 6 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 126 km/h for the Dolphin Boost 150kW. The gap is 0.04 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 15.36 s. The 0.22 s gap represents roughly 9 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Dolphin Boost 150kW maxes out at 160 km/h while the A4 40 TFSI keeps accelerating towards 232 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.29 s.

Around 790 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the A4 40 TFSI overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 72 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the A4 40 TFSI finishes in 28.08 s versus 28.66 s. The 0.58 s delta in favour of the A4 40 TFSI 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 11.78 seconds. The 0.35 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.