Over 0–100 km/h, A5 Sedan and A4 40 TDI are neck and neck (7,79 s vs 7,79 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 Sedan | A4 40 TDI | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,79 s | 7,79 s+0,00 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,74 s−0,03 s | 15,77 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,63 s | 28,09 s+0,54 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 242 km/h | 242 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 8,92 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 Sedan | A4 40 TDI |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,83 s | 2,16 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3,04 s | 3,61 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5,46 s | 5,84 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,79 s | 7,79 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 10,74 s | 10,28 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 19,81 s | 17,57 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 34,87 s | 30,63 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,74 s | 15,77 stight gap |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,63 s | 28,09 s |
| Top speed | 242 km/h | 242 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 | 1 820 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 190 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 575 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
Off the line, the A5 Sedan hits 100 km/h in 7.79 s versus 7.79 s for the A4 40 TDI. The 0.00 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the A5 Sedan is doing 117 km/h against 122 km/h for the A4 40 TDI. The gap is 0.25 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.
At 400 metres standing start, the A5 Sedan crosses the line in 15.74 s versus 15.77 s. The 0.03 s gap represents roughly 1 m of track
Past 400 metres, the situation changes. Past 400 metres, both rivals hit the same electronic ceiling at 242 km/h. Neither can claw back ground through top speed - the outcome hinges on the acceleration curve between 100 and 242 km/h.
At 1,000 metres, the A4 40 TDI finishes in 28.08 s versus 28.62 s. The 0.54 s delta in favour of the A4 40 TDI shows that top speed makes a clear difference.
Electronically capped at 242 km/h, the A5 Sedan 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 (8.92 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 12.41 seconds. The 0.00 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 Sedan and A4 40 TDI are neck and neck (7,79 s vs 7,79 s, no significant gap).
A5 Sedan goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,79 seconds (calibrated simulation).
A5 Sedan: 204 hp, ratio 8,92 kg/hp. A4 40 TDI: 190 hp, ratio 8,29 kg/hp.
A5 Sedan: 242 km/h. A4 40 TDI: 242 km/h.