Over 0–100 km/h, Q8 SUV wins (5,97 s vs 7,35 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.
| Q8 SUV | Q5 SUV | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,97 s−1,38 s | 7,35 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,25 s−1,04 s | 15,29 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 26,36 s−2,25 s | 28,61 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 241 km/h+15 km/h | 226 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 7,55 kg/hpbetter ratio | 9,58 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 | Q8 SUV | Q5 SUV |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,15 s | 1,12 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,02 s | 2,19 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,06 s | 4,81 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,97 s | 7,35 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 8,37 s | 10,60 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 15,33 s | 21,04 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 27,89 s | 40,96 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,25 s | 15,29 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 26,36 s | 28,61 s |
| Top speed | 241 km/h | 226 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 286 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 600 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 160 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed tiptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 204 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 955 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
Off the line, the Q8 SUV hits 100 km/h in 5.97 s versus 7.35 s for the Q5 SUV. At this point, the Q8 SUV leads by 1.38 s and sits roughly 7 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Q8 SUV is doing 125 km/h against 115 km/h for the Q5 SUV. The gap is 0.58 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Q8 SUV crosses the line in 14.25 s versus 15.29 s. The 1.04 s gap represents roughly 40 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Q8 SUV continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 174 km/h versus 157 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Q8 SUV finishes in 26.36 s versus 28.61 s, with a 2.25 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Q8 SUV is capped at 241 km/h, the Q5 SUV at 226 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 (7.55 kg/hp vs 9.58 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.47 seconds. The 1.38 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, Q8 SUV wins (5,97 s vs 7,35 s).
Q8 SUV goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,97 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Q8 SUV: 286 hp, ratio 7,55 kg/hp. Q5 SUV: 204 hp, ratio 9,58 kg/hp.
Q8 SUV: 241 km/h. Q5 SUV: 226 km/h.