Over 0–100 km/h, RS 5 Avant wins (3,66 s vs 4,45 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.
| RS 5 Avant | S 580 e 4MATIC W223 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 3,66 s−0,79 s | 4,45 s |
| 400 m standing start | 11,72 s−0,83 s | 12,55 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 21,36 s−1,04 s | 22,40 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 3,71 kg/hpbetter ratio | 4,30 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 | RS 5 Avant | S 580 e 4MATIC W223 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 0,97 s | 1,36 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,61 s | 2,02 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 2,67 s | 3,30 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 3,66 s | 4,45 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 4,82 s | 5,85 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 7,97 s | 9,47 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 12,48 s | 14,19 s |
| 400 m standing start | 11,72 s | 12,55 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 21,36 s | 22,40 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 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 | 639 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 825 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 370 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed tiptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 585 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 750 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 515 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Unknown |
Off the line, the RS 5 Avant hits 100 km/h in 3.66 s versus 4.45 s for the S 580 e 4MATIC. At this point, the RS 5 Avant leads by 0.79 s and sits roughly 11 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the RS 5 Avant is doing 156 km/h against 149 km/h for the S 580 e 4MATIC. The gap is 0.64 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 12.54 s. The 0.83 s gap represents roughly 42 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 212 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the RS 5 Avant finishes in 21.35 s versus 22.40 s, with a 1.04 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the RS 5 Avant and the S 580 e 4MATIC are governed to 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.
With two plug-in hybrid powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (3.71 kg/hp vs 4.30 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Unknown).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 6.56 seconds. The 0.79 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, RS 5 Avant wins (3,66 s vs 4,45 s).
RS 5 Avant goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,66 seconds (calibrated simulation).
RS 5 Avant: 639 hp, ratio 3,71 kg/hp. S 580 e 4MATIC W223: 585 hp, ratio 4,30 kg/hp.
RS 5 Avant: 250 km/h. S 580 e 4MATIC W223: 250 km/h.