Over 0–100 km/h, 520d xDrive G30 wins (7,38 s vs 7,72 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | A5 Sedan | 520d xDrive G30 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7.72 s | 7.38 s | 0.34 s · 520d xDrive G30 |
| 400 m standing start | 15.71 s | 15.45 s | 0.26 s · 520d xDrive G30 |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28.00 s | 28.10 s | 0.10 s · A5 Sedan |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 247 km/h | 232 km/h | 15 km/h · A5 Sedan |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 8.31 kg/hp | 8.68 kg/hp | better ratio · A5 Sedan |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | A5 Sedan | 520d xDrive G30 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 2.12 s | 1.79 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 3.54 s | 2.91 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 5.76 s | 5.20 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.72 s | 7.38 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 10.24 s | 10.21 s · tight gap |
| 0–160 km/h | 17.44 s | 18.29 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 30.10 s | 33.66 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15.71 s | 15.45 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28.00 s · tight gap | 28.10 s |
| Top speed | 247 km/h | 232 km/h |
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
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 | 1 695 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 190 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 650 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
Off the line, the 520d xDrive hits 100 km/h in 7.38 s versus 7.72 s for the A5 Sedan. At this point, the 520d xDrive leads by 0.34 s and sits roughly 12 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the 520d xDrive is doing 119 km/h against 122 km/h for the A5 Sedan. The gap is 0.39 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the 520d xDrive crosses the line in 15.45 s versus 15.71 s. The 0.26 s gap represents roughly 11 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The 520d xDrive maxes out at 232 km/h while the A5 Sedan keeps accelerating towards 247 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.14 s.
Around 835 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the A5 Sedan overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 15 km/h higher top speed.
At 1,000 metres, the A5 Sedan finishes in 27.99 s versus 28.10 s. The 0.10 s delta shows an extremely tight race.
The 520d xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the A5 Sedan’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 Sedan is capped at 248 km/h, the 520d xDrive at 232 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 (8.31 kg/hp vs 8.68 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.86 seconds. The 0.34 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, 520d xDrive G30 wins (7,38 s vs 7,72 s).
A5 Sedan goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,72 seconds (calibrated simulation).
A5 Sedan: 204 hp, ratio 8,31 kg/hp. 520d xDrive G30: 190 hp, ratio 8,68 kg/hp.
A5 Sedan: 247 km/h. 520d xDrive G30: 232 km/h.