Audi Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW vs BMW X1 sDrive20d F48: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the X1 sDrive20d hits 100 km/h in 7.80 s versus 8.62 s for the Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW. Despite lacking instant torque, 190 hp of power compensates. At this point, the X1 sDrive20d leads by 0.82 s and sits roughly 10 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the X1 sDrive20d is doing 119 km/h against 115 km/h for the Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW. The gap is 0.48 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the X1 sDrive20d crosses the line in 15.77 s versus 16.48 s. The 0.71 s gap represents roughly 28 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the X1 sDrive20d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 166 km/h versus 157 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the X1 sDrive20d finishes in 28.46 s versus 30.31 s, with a 1.85 s lead.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW is capped at 160 km/h, the X1 sDrive20d at 222 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 13.70 seconds. The 0.82 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.