Over 0–100 km/h, Q5 Sportback wins (7,34 s vs 7,91 s).
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.
| Q5 Sportback | X3 xDrive20d G01 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 7,34 s−0,57 s | 7,91 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,29 s−0,49 s | 15,78 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,57 s−0,66 s | 29,23 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 226 km/h+13 km/h | 213 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 9,66 kg/hpbetter ratio | 9,66 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 | Q5 Sportback | X3 xDrive20d G01 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,16 s | 1,44 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,22 s | 2,63 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,82 s | 5,31 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,34 s | 7,91 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 10,56 s | 11,37 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 20,86 s | 21,87 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 40,24 s | 48,99 s |
| 400 m standing start | 15,29 s | 15,78 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 28,57 s | 29,23 s |
| Top speed | 226 km/h | 213 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 | 1 970 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 190 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 835 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
Off the line, the Q5 Sportback hits 100 km/h in 7.34 s versus 7.91 s for the X3 xDrive20d. At this point, the Q5 Sportback leads by 0.57 s and sits roughly 10 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Q5 Sportback is doing 115 km/h against 113 km/h for the X3 xDrive20d. The gap is 0.39 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Q5 Sportback crosses the line in 15.28 s versus 15.78 s. The 0.49 s gap represents roughly 19 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the Q5 Sportback continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 158 km/h versus 156 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Q5 Sportback finishes in 28.56 s versus 29.23 s, with a 0.67 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (226 vs 213 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Q5 Sportback is capped at 226 km/h, the X3 xDrive20d at 213 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 (9.66 kg/hp vs 9.66 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 13.42 seconds. The 0.57 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, Q5 Sportback wins (7,34 s vs 7,91 s).
Q5 Sportback goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,34 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Q5 Sportback: 204 hp, ratio 9,66 kg/hp. X3 xDrive20d G01: 190 hp, ratio 9,66 kg/hp.
Q5 Sportback: 226 km/h. X3 xDrive20d G01: 213 km/h.