Over 0–100 km/h, A5 Avant and 420i xDrive G22 are neck and neck (7,72 s vs 7,74 s, no significant gap).
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.
| A5 Avant | 420i xDrive G22 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,72 s−0,02 s | 7,74 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,71 s | 15,61 s+0,10 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,94 s−0,78 s | 28,72 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 245 km/h+11 km/h | 234 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 8,38 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 | A5 Avant | 420i xDrive G22 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2,12 s | 1,38 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,53 s | 2,58 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,76 s | 5,26 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,72 s | 7,74 stight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 10,23 s | 10,94 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 17,35 s | 20,29 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 29,43 s | 38,25 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,71 s | 15,61 stight gap |
| 1,000 m standing start | 27,94 s | 28,72 s |
| Top speed | 245 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 | 204 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 340 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 710 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 A5 Avant hits 100 km/h in 7.72 s versus 7.74 s for the Bmw 420i xDrive. The 0.02 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 420i xDrive is doing 115 km/h against 122 km/h for the A5 Avant. The gap is 0.44 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 420i xDrive crosses the line in 15.61 s versus 15.70 s. The 0.10 s gap represents roughly 4 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Bmw 420i xDrive maxes out at 234 km/h while the A5 Avant keeps accelerating towards 245 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.21 s.
Around 460 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the A5 Avant overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 11 km/h higher top speed.
At 1,000 metres, the A5 Avant finishes in 27.94 s versus 28.71 s. The 0.78 s delta in favour of the A5 Avant shows that top speed makes a clear difference.
The Bmw 420i xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the A5 Avant’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.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the A5 Avant is capped at 245 km/h, the Bmw 420i xDrive at 238 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.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (8.38 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 0.02 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, A5 Avant and 420i xDrive G22 are neck and neck (7,72 s vs 7,74 s, no significant gap).
A5 Avant goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,72 seconds (calibrated simulation).
A5 Avant: 204 hp, ratio 8,38 kg/hp. 420i xDrive G22: 184 hp, ratio 8,64 kg/hp.
A5 Avant: 245 km/h. 420i xDrive G22: 234 km/h.