Over 0–100 km/h, 420i F32 wins (7,44 s vs 7,73 s).
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 F32 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,73 s | 7,44 s+0,29 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,68 s | 15,38 s+0,30 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,62 s | 28,23 s+0,39 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 240 km/h+2 km/h | 238 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 9,00 kg/hp | 8,29 kg/hpbetter ratio |
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 F32 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,76 s | 1,42 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,92 s | 2,53 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,38 s | 5,09 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,73 s | 7,44 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 10,71 s | 10,39 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 19,93 s | 19,05 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 35,42 s | 35,17 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,68 s | 15,38 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,62 s | 28,23 s |
| Top speed | 240 km/h | 238 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 | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 835 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 184 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 300 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 525 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the Bmw 420i hits 100 km/h in 7.44 s versus 7.73 s for the A5 Avant. At this point, the Bmw 420i leads by 0.29 s and sits roughly 8 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 420i is doing 117 km/h against 117 km/h for the A5 Avant. The gap is 0.28 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 420i crosses the line in 15.38 s versus 15.68 s. The 0.29 s gap represents roughly 12 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw 420i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 163 km/h versus 162 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw 420i finishes in 28.23 s versus 28.61 s, with a 0.38 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (240 vs 238 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the A5 Avant and the Bmw 420i are governed to 240 km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (9.00 kg/hp vs 8.29 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.40 seconds. The 0.29 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, 420i F32 wins (7,44 s vs 7,73 s).
A5 Avant goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,73 seconds (calibrated simulation).
A5 Avant: 204 hp, ratio 9,00 kg/hp. 420i F32: 184 hp, ratio 8,29 kg/hp.
A5 Avant: 240 km/h. 420i F32: 238 km/h.