Over 0–100 km/h, e-tron GT quattro wins (4,14 s vs 4,83 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.
| e-tron GT quattro | S4 TDI | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,14 s−0,70 s | 4,83 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,36 s−0,76 s | 13,12 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 22,46 s−1,40 s | 23,86 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 245 km/h | 250 km/h−5 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 3,95 kg/hpbetter ratio | 5,10 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 | e-tron GT quattro | S4 TDI |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,13 s | 1,27 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,88 s | 2,06 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,08 s | 3,50 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,14 s | 4,83 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 5,47 s | 6,50 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 9,25 s | 11,04 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 14,74 s | 17,95 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,36 s | 13,12 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 22,46 s | 23,86 s |
| Top speed limited | 245 km/h | 250 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 577 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 830 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 280 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Unknown |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 354 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 700 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 805 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed tiptronic |
Off the line, the e-tron GT quattro hits 100 km/h in 4.14 s versus 4.84 s for the S4 TDI. The instant torque of 830 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the e-tron GT quattro leads by 0.70 s and sits roughly 6 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the e-tron GT quattro is doing 149 km/h against 140 km/h for the S4 TDI. The gap is 0.50 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the e-tron GT quattro crosses the line in 12.36 s versus 13.12 s. The 0.76 s gap represents roughly 36 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the e-tron GT quattro continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 208 km/h versus 195 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the e-tron GT quattro finishes in 22.46 s versus 23.86 s, with a 1.40 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (245 vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the e-tron GT quattro is capped at 245 km/h, the S4 TDI at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) 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.
Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 7.47 seconds. The 0.70 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, e-tron GT quattro wins (4,14 s vs 4,83 s).
e-tron GT quattro goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,14 seconds (calibrated simulation).
e-tron GT quattro: 577 hp, ratio 3,95 kg/hp. S4 TDI: 354 hp, ratio 5,10 kg/hp.
e-tron GT quattro: 245 km/h. S4 TDI: 250 km/h.