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AA5vsB420dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsA5 · 420d

Audi A5 Sedan vs BMW 420d G22: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

saloon · 2026 vs 2021 · Methodology
AudiDiesel

A5 Sedan

204 hp · 400 Nm · 1,820 kg · 2026

VS
BMWDieselFaster

420d G22

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,605 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

AAudi A5 Sedan

7.79 s

Gap0.75 sin favour of 420d
BBMW 420d G22

7.04 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureA5 Sedan420d G22Gap
0–100 km/h7.79 s7.04 s0.75 s · 420d G22
400 m standing start15.74 s15.11 s0.63 s · 420d G22
1,000 m standing start28.63 s27.78 s0.85 s · 420d G22
Top speed (electronically limited)242 km/h240 km/h2 km/h · A5 Sedan
Power-to-weight ratio8.92 kg/hp8.45 kg/hpbetter ratio · 420d G22

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

AudiDieselA5 Sedan
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel420d G22
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
StageA5 Sedan420d G22
0–30 km/h1.83 s1.37 s
0–50 km/h3.04 s2.40 s
0–80 km/h5.46 s4.80 s
0–100 km/h7.79 s7.04 s
0–120 km/h10.74 s9.85 s
0–160 km/h19.81 s18.13 s
0–200 km/h34.87 s33.30 s
400 m standing start15.74 s15.11 s
1,000 m standing start28.63 s27.78 s
Top speed242 km/h240 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

Audi

A5 Sedan

8,92kg/hpcompensated by −215 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power204 hpPending
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 820 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
Gearbox7-speed S tronic
BMW

420d G22

8,45kg/hpratio better by 0,47 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 605 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 420d hits 100 km/h in 7.04 s versus 7.79 s for the A5 Sedan. At this point, the 420d leads by 0.75 s and sits roughly 13 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 420d is doing 119 km/h against 117 km/h for the A5 Sedan. The gap is 0.56 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 420d crosses the line in 15.10 s versus 15.74 s. The 0.63 s gap represents roughly 25 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 420d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 166 km/h versus 162 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 420d finishes in 27.77 s versus 28.62 s, with a 0.85 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (242 vs 240 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the A5 Sedan and the 420d are governed to 242 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 (8.92 kg/hp vs 8.45 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 0.75 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

Instead of 420d G22
BMW 420dBMW 420d xDrive

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VolvoVSBMW

S60 B4 vs 420d

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 420d G22 wins (7,04 s vs 7,79 s).

A5 Sedan goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,79 seconds (calibrated simulation).

A5 Sedan: 204 hp, ratio 8,92 kg/hp. 420d G22: 190 hp, ratio 8,45 kg/hp.

A5 Sedan: 242 km/h. 420d G22: 240 km/h.