Audi A5 Avant vs BMW 320e G20: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Bmw 320e hits 100 km/h in 7.46 s versus 7.72 s for the A5 Avant. The instant torque of 350 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Bmw 320e leads by 0.26 s and sits roughly 21 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Bmw 320e is doing 115 km/h against 122 km/h for the A5 Avant. The gap is 0.62 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 320e crosses the line in 15.43 s versus 15.70 s. The 0.27 s gap represents roughly 11 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Bmw 320e maxes out at 215 km/h while the A5 Avant keeps accelerating towards 245 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.09 s.

Around 549 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the A5 Avant overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 30 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the A5 Avant finishes in 27.94 s versus 28.77 s. The 0.83 s delta in favour of the A5 Avant shows that top speed makes a clear difference.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the A5 Avant is capped at 245 km/h, the Bmw 320e at 220 km/h. This isn’t a physical engine limit - it’s a manufacturer choice, usually for tyre safety or homologation reasons. Neither car reaches its true aerodynamic top speed.

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 12.74 seconds. The 0.26 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.