Audi RS 5 Avant vs BMW 218i Convertible F44: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the RS 5 Avant hits 100 km/h in 3.66 s versus 9.57 s for the 218i Convertible. The instant torque of 825 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the RS 5 Avant leads by 5.92 s and sits roughly 29 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the RS 5 Avant is doing 156 km/h against 109 km/h for the 218i Convertible. The gap is 3.48 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the RS 5 Avant crosses the line in 11.72 s versus 17.01 s. The 5.30 s gap represents roughly 182 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the RS 5 Avant continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 218 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the RS 5 Avant finishes in 21.35 s versus 30.99 s, with a 9.64 s lead.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the RS 5 Avant is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 218i Convertible at 207 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 15.88 seconds. The 5.92 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.