Over 0–100 km/h, RS 5 Sedan wins (3,73 s vs 7,04 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 Sedan | 420d F32 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 3,73 s−3,31 s | 7,04 s |
| 400 m standing start | 11,78 s−3,33 s | 15,11 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 21,38 s−6,40 s | 27,78 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h+10 km/h | 240 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 3,69 kg/hpbetter ratio | 8,45 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 Sedan | 420d F32 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,01 s | 1,37 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,68 s | 2,40 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 2,74 s | 4,80 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 3,73 s | 7,04 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 4,89 s | 9,85 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 8,03 s | 18,13 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 12,49 s | 33,30 s |
| 400 m standing start | 11,78 s | 15,11 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 21,38 s | 27,78 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 240 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 | 2 355 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed tiptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 190 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 605 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the RS 5 Sedan hits 100 km/h in 3.73 s versus 7.04 s for the Bmw 420d. The instant torque of 825 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the RS 5 Sedan leads by 3.31 s and sits roughly 17 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the RS 5 Sedan is doing 156 km/h against 119 km/h for the Bmw 420d. The gap is 2.04 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the RS 5 Sedan crosses the line in 11.77 s versus 15.10 s. The 3.33 s gap represents roughly 129 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the RS 5 Sedan continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 218 km/h versus 166 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the RS 5 Sedan finishes in 21.38 s versus 27.77 s, with a 6.40 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 240 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the RS 5 Sedan is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Bmw 420d at 240 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 11.60 seconds. The 3.31 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, RS 5 Sedan wins (3,73 s vs 7,04 s).
RS 5 Sedan goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,73 seconds (calibrated simulation).
RS 5 Sedan: 639 hp, ratio 3,69 kg/hp. 420d F32: 190 hp, ratio 8,45 kg/hp.
RS 5 Sedan: 250 km/h. 420d F32: 240 km/h.